The Optima Red Top is an AGM type rather than GEL (http://www.dcbattery.com/optima2.html). A $50 battery charger from Costco will handle all 3 types of battery without overcharging, from Lead Acid, to GEL and AGM, and won't overcharge if you are manually recharging. Even has a digital battery type selector and amp meter. While I miss the separate stand-alone regulators, or even the alternators with a built-in regulator, the PCM controlled regulator costs less to manufacture, (read, this is what will be installed on almost anything we buy in light duty vehicles). No separate voltage regulator, no extra wiring, PCM is installed anyway, just one wire to the alternator. Looks like the future is here. The tradeoff is your replacement alternator choices are limited.

I'm wondering if a different alternator that isn't regulated by the PCM would set a code.

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2005 LTD CRD RB1 NAV/Htd Leather seats/Amsoil EA filters
SunCoast Mega Trans & Billet TC/PML pan/Aux cooler
Fuel cooler/Lift Pump/10um Pri/Racor R490 2um Sec Fuel Filters
IronMan Lift/Shocks/Provent/Moog ball joints/ V6 Airbox/Fan/Hayden
Cobalt Boost/EGT/Oil/Trans/Volt gauges/Aeroturbine 2525
Yeti Hot Tune/Odessey 65/Samco's/Michelin Defenders

I found some alternator information at www.usaind.com . The part number for the CRD alternator is A3114, 136 amp is A2799, and A2913 for the 160 amp. The CRD alternator is shown as internally regulated. The others are shown as external. This might make it easier for us to stick in an aftermarket alternator. I have an email in to Mean Green.

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My Jeep Liberty page

ORM, air filter mod, and less restrictive exhaust has increased my 'everyday' driving 3 mpg.

If anyone is thinking about getting a higher capacity battery, this is what I run in my cherokee:



And, just like in the cherokee, it doesnt fit properly in the battery tray, on the cherokee this is easily fixed by a little cutting on the plastic, I think the same would work for the liberty battery tray.

The reason I like this battery is that it costs $60 and is rated at 900CCA/1000AMP, I believe the stock optima shows 715CCA on the top. While it is an normal lead acid battery, it is rated at quite a bit more.......might be a good thing for you guys who want to have a larger capacity battery.

I think my optima is ok, but if it wasnt I was planning on installing the kirkland battery, personally I would rather have 900CCA in a traditional battery than 715 in a red top.

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic