I think it's time to replace my batter in my 2003 Ranger 4.0. I looked around a little and it seems battery options have gone downhill over the last several years.

Optima batteries have had a bad rep for about 10 years now. Most other manufactures are only offering 2-3 year warranties instead of 5 like how I remember. Ford made a Motorcraft Test Tough MAX battery which people said lasted 7-8 years but seems they discontinued it.

A good option I found is the Duralast Gold from autozone, part number 58-DLG. 5 year warranty (3 free replacement, 2 pro rated), has some extra CC amps (610 vs 540 like the stock battery), but it is pricier at $159.99.

What batteries are you guys using?

I buy whatever is on sale when it's time to replace. You rarely if ever find a warranty over 5 years because... That's how long an average car battery lasts. Some of those warranties are even a bit shady because they will go by manufacturer date, not date of sale.

Ive used all different brands of batteries in my personal vehicles and my shop goes through about 6 a month. Given the same size group and amp ratings I have never been able to say "hey this brand battery is better than this brand".

Buy from a reputable place that is easy to deal with if there ever is a warranty issue, make sure the warranty is legit (starts at date of sale), and make sure the battery meets the oem size/amp specs and you cant go wrong in my opinion. I have 5 cars and a boat with 6 different brand batteries, ask me which one is better I'd just shrug.

I agree with Dirtman on this subject. While I have had a Mercedes brand battery last 12 years, and a Motorcraft last about 10, battery life is highly variable. If you accidentally run them flat their life will be shortened.

The stores that have free battery installation will have the highest prices, while Walmart will likely have the lowest. Walmart requires you to go to customer service to get the core rebate, so the free installation might be worth the higher cost.

I put an Optima Redtop for $140 in my Ranger when the stock died 2 years ago. Works fine, even after sitting for up to a month, and in Colorado cold. But I have bought from AutoZone before too, never really had an issue. I think CostCo has Interstate, used to be good. Anymore, a lot of different brands are all made by Johnson Controls....

Cold doesn't actually kill batteries, heat and humidity does.

Cold makes batteries weaker so when you have an old battery and wake up one 10 degree morning and cant start your car.... That battery was dying anyway, but would probably still start your car if you warmed it up.

Believe it or not the lifespan of a car battery is more in Canada than in Florida. Though most true northerners have both engine and battery warmers.

And storing them on concrete doesn't discharge them either. It is actually beneficial. I used to work with a battery engineer that did design work for Optima.

That concrete thing was actually true once. Before plastics when batteries had natural rubber cases, enough acid could seep through and mix with the salts in concrete to form a fairly substantial parasitic draw. My friends junkyard is 4th generation family owned, helping him clean out some of the dilapidated out bulidings we found the rack his great grandfather used for batteries. It was all made of hardwood and neither side actually connected (assuming to minimize current passing from one side to the other). Actually still had a few batteries on it...

Dirt can do the same thing to modern batteries though. If you let the top of your battery get filthy, that crud can create a pathway between the posts and form a substantial drain over time. I cant count the times Ive delt with people with "battery trouble" just to take one look and hand them a wire brush and a rag and say I'll check it once you clean it. And then magically I never actually have to do anything!

I buy all of my batteries at Walmart. They have excellent prices that normally beat parts store prices by a large margin, and they pro-rate prices if there are any problems and you need a replacement. I've had excellent luck with the Everstart brand that they carry. I got 12 years out of my last 2 "Everstart Maxx" brand batteries from Wally World.

One of my trucks I regularly use a 9000lb Superwinch and that unit can kill a battery with the quickness. Walmart asks ZERO QUESTIONS, and I've taken advantage of this.



GB

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2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3

Battery light came on again and my alternator gave out totally when I was on the highway. I drove for another 15 minutes to the nearest Advanced Auto and just bought a new alternator from them.

My truck would not start in the parking lot though due to the battery now being too discharged so I bought a battery from them too and they gave me the tools to swap it in the lot. Their battery is an "Autocraft Silver". It got me home and I replaced the alternator and all is good now.

The battery that was in the truck an "Autocraft Gold" with a 2013 date stamp. So it lasted 5 years and probably would of kept going. We'll see how long the "Silver" lasts.

Then I checked Walmart and it appears I bought the same exact battery as their Everstart Maxx except that I only get a 2 year warranty while Walmart offers a 5 year warranty. I also paid $10 extra. Oh well...Advanced Auto helped me out on the spot and that alone was well worth the extra $10.

But it looks like Walmart is a good choice for cost savings and the best warranty.

I worked at an advance when I was in highschool, the only difference between the economy, silver, and gold series batteries was the warranty. They were identical otherwise. That was 20 some years ago though.

Most all batteries on the market are produced by one of 2 or 3 manufacturers anyway. Johnson Controls makes a HUGE amount of batteries and other companies simply re-brand them.



GB

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2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3

You don't say?

Hmmm...

I still use Optima red tops. I know they are not the battery they used to be but they still are pretty good.

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1998 ranger extended cab, 2wd, 4.0 ohv, 5 speed, sony xploid 52 4 way watt radio, 2 pair of pioneer 240 watt speakers, Cobra 29 LX LCD CB radio pushing 100 watts, k&n air filter, 15 inch exploder wheels, dual exhaust with 4 inch stainless tips, 2 12 inch subs with a 1000 watt amp just for the hell of it!

new project: dirt track modified racing at the local saturday night track.

I obviously didn't go through and read all of the posts, but you pointing that out makes you a really clever girl. Color me impressed!




GB

__________________
2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3

Makes me clever and you a douche