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Battery Recommendations

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Machspeed

Battery Recommendations

Administrator

Two things I typically don't skimp on are tires and batteries. I currently have an Autozone (AZ) battery in my truck that is going on five years. In the last couple of years, I've bought AZ batteries for my daily driver and for my daughter's car, both of which had issues and required replacement within a weeks time. Basically, bought the battery brand new, only to come out to my car and find that the vehicle would not start. Couple scenarios like that and you begin to question the quality of the product.

Recommendations on batteries appreciated.

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

81f100custom

Re: Battery Recommendations

The one in my truck now is a Optima we bought at the Moultrie swap meet back some years ago now. The guy sales them after they have been used for a year or so in emergency roadside equipment. He was getting $60 at one time but had gone up to $90. This one is probably 10 to 12 years old now if not older that I drive to work everyday. Guess I have gotten my $60 and then some out of it.

Eddie,
81 F100 Custom SWB, 5.0L, 4x2, Single Rail Four-Speed Overdrive, 3.00 Non-Limited Slip Rear Axle, Non A/C truck to complete 85 F150 factory A/C conversion, Nutmeg interior color.

myrl883

Re: Battery Recommendations

For flooded cell batteries, I like Ford's Motorcraft batteries - and no, it isn't because I sell them. For AGM batteries, I've used both Optima and Odyssey with great results.

Ford Parts Monkey since 1985
1981 F100 Flareside - Black, 302-4V Roller/AOD
1986 F150 Flareside - Medium Fire Red 302/AOD
1989 F150 Standard Cab 4x4 - Dk Shadow Blue 302/AOD
1993 F350 4x4 Crew Cab - 7.3 IDI/ZF-5
I think it's a sickness...

Rembrant

Re: Battery Recommendations

In reply to this post by Machspeed

Subscribed! I am also battery shopping right now...sort of (I priced one yesterday).

The battery that was in my '84 was working great, but I swapped it over to the 1980, so now I need a new battery for the '84. The battery that was in it was a "Group 34/78DT", whatever that is...and 800a/650cca.

I was going to see if I could get a Ford or Motorcraft battery for the '84...if any such thing exists. I need to drop by the dealer and grab a couple filters, so I was going to see what they had to offer.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

Gary Lewis

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

In reply to this post by myrl883

I have Odyssey Extremes in Big Blue. A 31M PC2150 for the starting battery & 34M-PC1500 for the aux battery.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

grumpin

Re: Battery Recommendations

I really like Armor Plate batteries, but one of our local parts stores changed ownership and they don’t stock them anymore.

I’ve used Autozone batteries and they’re good, their top of the line anyway.

I’ve used Walmart batteries and they’ve been good.

Right now I’m experimenting, two vehicles needed batteries at about the same time, one is Walmart and the other is an Interstate from our local NAPA.

Be good to them, keep them clean and corrosion free, try not to deep cycle them, and they should last.

I use CRC battery cleaner and CRC battery protector on the terminals and it works really well.

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

kramttocs

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I second the Odyssey's. I went with two of the 34-PC1500 in typical and reverse post for my primary and aux. Based on Gary's recommendation and the great pre-purchase support I received. Printed out simple spacers that snap into the factory hold downs and am happy to share those.
Have been very happy with the batteries so far.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

kramttocs

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

In reply to this post by grumpin

Looking forward to your results Dane.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

grumpin

Re: Battery Recommendations

kramttocs wrote

Looking forward to your results Dane.

I hope it’s 2 or 3 years before I know!

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

kramttocs

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

For sure and hopefully even longer!

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

1986F150Six

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

Can I share a bit of battery trivia?

My father drove a 1963 VW Beetle. He was a chemist and had access to distilled water and used it to replenish the cells [long before low maintenance batteries]. Keep in mind that the Beetle battery was mounted under the rear seat, away from engine heat and vibration. In 1978, the car failed to start. The battery was removed [it had the original Wolfsburg Crest emblem on the case] and taken to Sears for a replacement. Two or three days later, the car failed to start, again. At this time it was determined that the braided ground strap has corroded, which was the problem.

Dad rushed to Sears to retrieve the original battery [he felt that he had deserted a friend], but it was already gone.

kramttocs

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

That's a neat story David though it is sad about the battery - we can all relate to the 'friend' feeling on stuff like that.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Gary Lewis

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

The Germans were big on having the battery under the rear seat. We had an Audi 100LS in the 70's and it had the battery there. (Speaking of that car, Consumer Report said don't buy it as these things could go wrong. And every one of them did. I fully agree with this statement on The Classic Car Journal: "I owned a 1971 Audi 100 LS, a two-door sedan, and to this day it remains the best and worst car I’ve ever owned.")

Anyway, that's a good story, David. And a good remembrance of your father.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: Battery Recommendations

The few batteries I have bought have been from Costco, interstates. They work well, good warranty, good price.

What sizes can we squeeze into these old trucks? The one in my Bronco looks undersized..

1985.5 F-150 XL Explorer standard cab 5.0 EFI AOD 4x4
Daily Driver. We call her Eunice the Ute.

1982 Bronco XLT Lariat 351W AOD 4x4
Code name Esperanza, or Espy to her friends. Please see my Project thread for the blow by blow.

1984 F-350 XL Centurion crew cab 460 T19 4x4
"Eylza Dual-little"

Machspeed

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

Gsmblue wrote

The few batteries I have bought have been from Costco, interstates. They work well, good warranty, good price.

What sizes can we squeeze into these old trucks? The one in my Bronco looks undersized..

Good question! I've often thought the battery in my truck was undersized.

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

I have the later (above the fender) battery tray and I'm okay using a group 65 with the wedge anchor.
I'm sure I could fit a little bigger if I had a bail and J-hooks, but I'm fine with 1000/850.

(Group 27 are too tall and short out on the hood)

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

kramttocs

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

65 is what I have used in all the other trucks also. With the bullnose tray it sits a little cockeyed so not what one would consider a factory fit.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

Gary Lewis

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk

I have a Group 31, specifically an Odyssey Extreme 31M-PC2150, in Big Blue as the starting battery. Dimensions in the link, but it fits nicely. And it has 1150 CCA's. But it weighs 78 lbs, so make sure you battery tray is good.

I'm using the later model battery tray, and here's how it fits:

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

In reply to this post by kramttocs

So 12+" is a little much for the under fender tray?

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

kramttocs

Re: Battery Recommendations

Administrator

It's actually the width that is the issue and it's not really a huge issue but did want to mention it. Where the metal tray ears come up through the plastic, the plastic is raised and the feet on the group 65 battery make it a little too wide. It's never giving me pause enough to see about trimming the feet or installing a spacer underneath.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

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