Truck Batteries?

indianabuckman · Dec 21, 2016

I need a new batter for my chevy diesel truck, should I replace just the one or both and which brand would you go with

tractorsam · Dec 21, 2016

Replace both or you might as well not bother. As to which brand, depends on what brands you have available. Sam

Bob · Dec 21, 2016

I agree on replacing both. (If one has some life left it can be transferred to another vehicle that uses just one battery.

As to brands, there's dozens out there, but most all are made by just three companies, Excide, Johnson Controls, and East Penn Deka.

Can't really say I've had much unusual trouble with any of 'em in the last ten years.

big jt · Dec 21, 2016

Absolutely replace both.

As to Brand, Run don't walk away from Deere. They used to be my go to but they changed the specs about 6 years ago and now they are junk IMO. NAPA had some problem children years back, don't know if they fixed it or not.

Any time I replace a Interstate goes in now.

jt

Bob Bancroft · Dec 21, 2016

Having purchased many 31S batteries with 900+ CCA's, I have wondered why anyone buys the 700 some CCA ones. Last winter D&W Diesel put on a battery clinic. They explained that the higher CCA batteries have more, thinner plates, and are more prone to vibration damage. I have a pair of their batteries(750CCA?)in my combine, and they do very well. Not much cold starting, but a LOT of sitting. All others I have are the high powered ones from a local auto supply.

Fordfarmer · Dec 21, 2016

I agree on replacing BOTH.
Just put a pair in my combine yesterday. The Interstates that came out had July '03 punched out on the warranty tag. Hard to complain about that for battery life.

indianabuckman · Dec 21, 2016

thanks guys, I'll replace both. I'm leaning towards Interstate or Duralast

Bob · Dec 21, 2016

FWIW, Interstate ans Duralast are both made by Johnson Controls.

notjustair · Dec 21, 2016

Interstate. Keep one if its good and put it in an old tractor. My poor old tractors never get a new battery.

RayP(MI) · Dec 21, 2016

If you team a weak battery with a strong battery, weak one will drag good one down to it's level, destroying them both. Paired batteries should be replaced with new identical batteries. That way they grow old together.

sourgum · Dec 21, 2016

A good battery for us is out of napa, good local service. They are not the cheapest on the market, but they are made in US. (deka, I believe) We use the 850 CA legend on vehicles that set outside all winter. These are not diesels however. Never lets us down. Many different opinions on this topic depending on where you are. This is So IN.

Mike M · Dec 21, 2016

That's exactly what our battery guy explained to us back when I worked for the truck dealership. His were crown IIRC ? and if you put the load tester on the smaller battery it would put out the higher CCA figure anyhow.

jicaseman89 · Dec 21, 2016

I have been real happy with red top optima batteries and interstate the optima that is in my main pickup I bought new in 03 or 04 in 2017 it will be 12 or 13 years old never had a issue to this day never had to jump it or charge it
It has been through a few pickups
03 or 04 1972 IH
06 1981 Chevy k20
08 1992 Chevy heavy 1/2 ton
2012 2000 Chevy crew cab 3/4 ton where it will be till I get another pickup
Loren

indianabuckman · Dec 21, 2016

Well i just went and replace both batteries with Interstate. They sure don't give these away. $155.00 each I hope they last awhile.

Thanks everyone

Ron-MO · Dec 21, 2016

Not sure this is still the case, but last time I checked, some of the higher end batteries at Wal Mart are also made by Johnson Controls (same as Interstate), and are a good battery. I have one of the "Max" batteries in my daily driver, and one in a diesel tractor. The diesel tractor had one of the very large 4DLT series batteries, but I refuse to pay the price they get now for the 4DLT, so I found an automotive battery that will fit, and adapted. So far, it starts as good or better than the big expensive battery that rarely lasted past the warranty, and much cheaper.

WGM · Dec 21, 2016

I've used about every brand of battery out there. The only batteries i will buy these days are OEM batteries. Not that much more expensive than the also rans and last forever.

Andy Wickiser · Dec 21, 2016

I guess peoples experiences vary. The OEM batteries I've had as installed in brand new vehicles seemed to poop out prematurely. However I've had good luck with Walmart batteries, go figure.

ETxJohn · Dec 21, 2016

I've had excellent results with Auto Zone batteries past several years, and good warranty

IAtractorKid · Dec 21, 2016

Replace both and my recommendation would be to get an OEM battery. I've ways had good luck with Delco batteries. Original batteries in my '06 Duramax lasted 9yrs!

2002sliverado · Dec 21, 2016

Definitely replace both. I have been told time and time again how the weaker/older battery will draw down the newer/stronger battery. I am sure others will chime in on that comment. I have had my best luck with Delco and Interstate batteries. My father has also had good luck with a battery under the name of Partsmaster. Lasted 13 years in a diesel tractor. I have also had very good luck by obtaining the largest battery that will fit AND has the greatest CCA rating. My father also had a set of batteries in a Dodge with a Cummins diesel, which were the original batteries and they lasted nearly 12 years. I will recognize that it helped he rarely drove that truck in the winter and didn't tap into the "CCA's" of those batteries all that hard every time he started it. I have also noticed since I switched to full synthetic oil in my vehicles, my batteries seem to last longer as the full synthetic oils flow and pump easier in cold weather versus their conventional counterparts. Every vehicle I have ever purchased (all used), I have replaced the battery at least once, with the exception of one of the last cars I owned. I bought it when it was just under 5 years old. I drove it for 8 years and did not have to replace that battery. I think it may have been the original Motorcraft battery.

tomNE · Dec 21, 2016

Deka batteries are suppose to be the best.

ditchwitch · Dec 21, 2016

Personally i would do both only because the other one will probably crap out shortly. Interstate makes a good battery

IAtractorKid · Dec 21, 2016

Deka is a good battery that won't break the bank. Just picked up one for the wife's car yesterday. 3yr free replacement warranty.

Bob · Dec 21, 2016

(quoted from post at 23:05:58 12/21/16) Interstate makes a good battery

Actually, "Interstate" makes NOTHING, they are simply a reseller/rebrander of Johnson Controls batteries, just like Sears Diehards which are also made by Johnson Controls.

Gary Reif · Dec 21, 2016

I've been told that just because batteries are made by a certain manufacturer doesn't mean that they are all made to the same specs. Each brand can set there own specs. I believe at one time NAPA batteries were made by Johnson Controls and were made to some of the highest specs. on the market. I don't know how true this is, but I wouldn't be surprised.

sotxbill · Dec 22, 2016

on my ford and dodge diesels... the battery that is furthermost away from the starter,, via the cable routing... is always the better of the two batteries.. so after a charge and a load test, it usually gets moved to the tractor.

These vehicles have the cable from the starter to one battery first, and routed across the front to the second battery. The first battery takes most of the load and seems to sulfate up first... ymmv..

mj · Dec 22, 2016

I'll second that - I've had REAL good luck with WalMart 'MAX' batteries! 8)

Old weldor · Dec 27, 2016

We have an interstate battery store nearby that sells blems. Average car battery runs about $40.

Truck Batteries?

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