Battery replacement...

BlueFreedom · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:39 pm

Has anyone ever replaced theirs?

What brand did you use?

I have a 2003 and do a lot of stop and go driving. Thinking about replacing it for the winter.

Thanks in advance - Brian

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:49 pm

BlueFreedom wrote:

Has anyone ever replaced theirs?

What brand did you use?

I have a 2003 and do a lot of stop and go driving. Thinking about replacing it for the winter.

Thanks in advance - Brian

I replaced mine w/ an Optima from Costco in my KJ. It was about $110 IIRC.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:51 pm

I replaced mine 2 weeks after owning my KJ(bought new in feb '02),nothing wrong with the OEM one just like OPtima batteries better,went with the group 34 Red Top Optima.In May of '06 I switched to a Optima Yellow Top after I mounted a winch on my KJ.

SethX9 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:02 pm

Yellow Top Optima

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

I guess -- from what I've been hearing -- Optima Red top or Yellow top.
Either one would be my replacement when the time comes, until then trusty old OEM has only failed me once so far.

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:17 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

I replaced mine 2 weeks after owning my KJ(bought new in feb '02),nothing wrong with the OEM one just like OPtima batteries better,went with the group 34 Red Top Optima.In May of '06 I switched to a Optima Yellow Top after I mounted a winch on my KJ.

so what model Yellow top did you get. I asked this question months ago and no one could tell me the model number that fit in the KJ

Mango~Ridge · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:36 pm

I just replace the oe battery in my boys 02 GC. Could'nt believe it lasted that long. Replaced with an Optima Red top, 149 at autozone. (ouch) I like JJ's price better. At autozone, they had three models, red top, yellow top, and blue top.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_p ... redtop.php
I think I'll get the yellow top for my KJ probably soon before winter.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:23 pm

Optima red top.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:24 pm

Yeah an Optima thread!

I need the optima size for a stock sized battery please. Thanks LOST

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I just replaced my original battery, which was working fine but 5 years old, with an Odyssey PC1500.
The batteries for the 02s were a different size than the rest of the years. I think they used a 35 whereas the others used a 34. Someone correct this if I'm wrong....

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:29 pm

snowsport wrote:

I just replaced my original battery, which was working fine but 5 years old, with an Odyssey PC1500.
The batteries for the 02s were a different size than the rest of the years. I think they used a 35 whereas the others used a 34. Someone correct this if I'm wrong....

I believe you are correct since I had to modify my battery tray to fit a group 34 Optima in my '02.

Quote:

I need the optima size for a stock sized battery please. Thanks LOST

If you want a group 34 Optima and have a '02 you woll need to trim one side of the battery tray(fender side) to make it fit,about a 2 min job.Otherwise get the smallest Optima size(I believe red top only),it'll be noticeably smaller then the other Optima's.

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:03 pm

i have a rene with the lightbar, which one would be better suited for me? yellow or red? also since i have an 04, would a 35 in mine

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

With red top, do you just swap them or do you need some kind of additional bracket since optimas are oddly shaped?

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:54 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

snowsport wrote:

I just replaced my original battery, which was working fine but 5 years old, with an Odyssey PC1500.
The batteries for the 02s were a different size than the rest of the years. I think they used a 35 whereas the others used a 34. Someone correct this if I'm wrong....

I believe you are correct since I had to modify my battery tray to fit a group 34 Optima in my '02.

Quote:

I need the optima size for a stock sized battery please. Thanks LOST

If you want a group 34 Optima and have a '02 you woll need to trim one side of the battery tray(fender side) to make it fit,about a 2 min job.Otherwise get the smallest Optima size(I believe red top only),it'll be noticeably smaller then the other Optima's.

So what yellow top will fit my 06 ????

rlruss · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:49 am **Posts:** 21

I just replaced my original stock battery with an Optima Red-Top this last weekend. My Stock battery was 4+ years old and I realized it was going out on Saturday and when I got in my 2003 Rene on Sunday to go get a new Optima. I had to take my wife's car because the Rene wouldn't start.
I did a search here on "Optima" and read and re-read a dozen or so threads about which Optima to get. Don't take my word for it but read those old posts yourself. But that said this is a summary of those posts at least in my opinion as to what size Optima to get.
Size 35 will fit all KJ's but is hard to find in stock in many stores. Costco has the best price if you are a member. Size 34 dropped right in my 2003 and should do in a 2004 and 2005. Size 34 will also fit in a 2002 if you are willing to cut off the lip of the battery tray in the lengthwise, (closest to the fender) of the battery tray in a 2002 KJ.
2006+ KJ,s may come stock with an Optima (I think someone said).
If your KJ didn't come stock with an Optima then you are going to have to bend your terminals to fit the Optima's posts. The posts on an Optima (because of the batteries helical cell design) are further in from the sides (closer to the mid-line of the battery) than in a conventional battery. I bent mine, tightened everything down and it cranks and starts with noticeable improvement over stock. I am pleased with it.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:07 pm

0311_DoC wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

snowsport wrote:

I just replaced my original battery, which was working fine but 5 years old, with an Odyssey PC1500.
The batteries for the 02s were a different size than the rest of the years. I think they used a 35 whereas the others used a 34. Someone correct this if I'm wrong....

I believe you are correct since I had to modify my battery tray to fit a group 34 Optima in my '02.

Quote:

I need the optima size for a stock sized battery please. Thanks LOST

If you want a group 34 Optima and have a '02 you woll need to trim one side of the battery tray(fender side) to make it fit,about a 2 min job.Otherwise get the smallest Optima size(I believe red top only),it'll be noticeably smaller then the other Optima's.

So what yellow top will fit my 06 ????

Group 34,but don't you have a CRD? You should already have one in them(red top).Just to make sure of the size the OEM battery will have the size on it somewhere.

Quote:

hyedipin

With red top, do you just swap them or do you need some kind of additional bracket since optimas are oddly shaped?

Just swap them unless you have a '02.Though you will need to strait'in the battery terminals a little(except CRD's),you'll see what I meen when you/if you put one in.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

Straighten the terminals? Hmm..
I will have to clean them up real good, that's for sure. I got all that residue/acid build up. It looks like santa's beard

bad, I know.

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:15 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

0311_DoC wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

snowsport wrote:

I just replaced my original battery, which was working fine but 5 years old, with an Odyssey PC1500.
The batteries for the 02s were a different size than the rest of the years. I think they used a 35 whereas the others used a 34. Someone correct this if I'm wrong....

I believe you are correct since I had to modify my battery tray to fit a group 34 Optima in my '02.

Quote:

I need the optima size for a stock sized battery please. Thanks LOST

If you want a group 34 Optima and have a '02 you woll need to trim one side of the battery tray(fender side) to make it fit,about a 2 min job.Otherwise get the smallest Optima size(I believe red top only),it'll be noticeably smaller then the other Optima's.

So what yellow top will fit my 06 ????

Group 34,but don't you have a CRD? You should already have one in them(red top).Just to make sure of the size the OEM battery will have the size on it somewhere.

[quote]

yes I have a red top, but I want to put in a yellow, for all the mods I have coming. Just wanna make sure the terminals line up appropriately.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:58 pm

I'm a cheap sensored word, I guess. Got a Bosch from Pep Boys Monday and installed it Wednesday night. Only $80, and I believe it's rated at 700CCA, 120-minute reserve. Comes with an 8-year warranty, and 36-month FREE replacement. Just couldn't see a reason to get the Optima for $160.

Looks like Pep Boys is the only place that sells them. They aren't even listed on the Bosch USA website. I have a feeling it might be a rebranded Die Hard. I'll let you know how it holds up. I needed the original battery replaced before freezing weather sets in for the winter.

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:40 am

is there a diff between the 34 and 35 besides size? will it last longer or anything?

Also me having a rene with the lightbar and the higher amp alternator, which would server me better? the yellow or red?

Battery replacement...

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