I had a problem with my 99 Ranger 4.0 starting and found it was corrosion in the battery cables. I cleaned it up and got it started but was wondering the best way to anti-prof it from getting corrosion again. I had to use a universal battery post clamp where you put the cables in the clamp and then tighten down. Was wondering if die-electric grease would be ok to coat the bare ends of the wire along with anti corrosion pads underneath to control the problem?

 

Remove every trace of corrosion, use washers and grease or the red spray protectant.

 

Battery cable corrosion on the battery is caused by two things, one is loose connection, it heats up when using starter motor and during recharging(alternator) causing condensation and corrosion

Second is battery vapor, even sealed batteries, lol, if alternator/voltage regulator doesn't reduce the "re-charge" voltage after startup then the fluid inside the battery will start to vaporize(boil), this vapor will escape and cause the corrosion on the battery terminals, those felt "washers" help to neutralize those vapors.

Test your charging system
Before startup battery voltage should be 12.3v to 12.8v, lower than 12.3v is a failing battery, shop for battery sale

After startup battery voltage should be 14.4v-14.9volts, this is "fast re-charge" cycle, under 15volts for sure, over that will ruin 12v battery pretty fast
After 5 minutes or so of engine/alternator running, retest battery voltage, should now be UNDER 14volts, 13.5v-13.8v is normal, if voltage is higher then either battery is bad, or voltage regulator is stuck, can't lower voltage, replace it, its "cooking" the battery