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1st Post: Battery Recommendation?

3K views 17 replies 14 participants last post by  mehbohdi 
#1 ·
I just bought an `05 Willys a few months ago with 45k on it. It needs some minor fixes like new brakes, battery and perhaps spark plugs. So far I haven't added any modifications and none were on the Jeep when I bought it.

I have been looking around for battery replacement. I want something that is going to last a long time and be able to run my winch and future lighting I put on. So far my research has led me to the Optima Yellow Top - seems like it's good for the price.

Wanted confirmation that this is a good battery or if I should be looking elsewhere.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Just bought a battery last month in fact. I ran several reviews for different batteries from various retailers. I wanted the best bang for the buck and ended up purchasing this guy:

AutoCraft Silver Battery, Group Size 34/78, 800 CCA 34/78-4: Buy best Battery at Advance Auto Parts

2 year free replacement warranty, 610 reviews at 4.5 star rating and tested 823 CCA's although it states it's rated at 800.

I ran an Optima red top about 10 years ago in an Eclipse with a sound system that was built for competition(no capacitor either). I can't complain it was a good battery, but I can't justify spending that much money on a battery again.
 
#6 ·
Just bought a battery last month in fact. I ran several reviews for different batteries from various retailers. I wanted the best bang for the buck and ended up purchasing this guy:

AutoCraft Silver Battery, Group Size 34/78, 800 CCA 34/78-4: Buy best Battery at Advance Auto Parts

2 year free replacement warranty, 610 reviews at 4.5 star rating and tested 823 CCA's although it states it's rated at 800.

I ran an Optima red top about 10 years ago in an Eclipse with a sound system that was built for competition(no capacitor either). I can't complain it was a good battery, but I can't justify spending that much money on a battery again.

Nice find.
 
#4 ·
The extreme duty at O'Reilly's is a rebranded Deka Intimidator.
 
#7 ·
Interstate, Sears Die Hard, etc... There are some quality batteries out there, but for me it's value. Price vs performance......batteries same as oil.....I've learned my lesson. I get my oil at Wally World....comparing prices for the same Mobil 1 or Valvoline High Mileage blend....others cannot match it....not even close. So Wally World is my suggestion.
 
#12 ·
The Sears Diehard Platinum 3478DT has pretty much become the most recommended battery for the past 5 years, especially since Optima sold out to Johnson Controls who moved their manufacturing moved down into Mexico to save $$$. After three Optimas failed prematurely on me, two Yellow Tops and one Blue Top, I switched to the Diehard Platinum (made in the US by Odyssey) and have been totally impressed with its durability and reliability.

They're not cheap but they're the best battery I've ever used in over 50 years of driving. The Diehard Platinum is also an AGM type battery which means it is made more ruggedly so it can hold up to the jolts and shocks of offroading... which can break the plates off and short cells out in a conventional 'wet' lead-acid battery. AGM is still lead-acid, but the acid is in paste form and the battery is solid with no gaps between the plates.
 
#16 ·
The DieHard Platinum (Odyssey) is a waste of money over O'Reilly's rebranded Deka Intimidator or other version of that battery. Between the DieHard and an Optima though, I'd buy the DieHard every time even though $$$$.
 
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