I have 80k on my '06 Ram, looking at getting new batteries.
Do the batteries need to be disconnected to test them?
If not, can one battery be tested at a time?
What would anyone recomend for batteries??

Thanks!!

 

My '03 still has the OEM Batteries @ 97000 mi. Just had them Load Tested, Still good to go... When they do quit, I will get the Sears DieHard Platinums...

 

My '03 still has the OEM batteries and at 104k miles they are still going strong as well.

Yes the batteries need to be disconnected to test. If one is weak, replace both.

I am also trying to decide which way to go because I don't think my batteries will last much longer. Never thought they would last for 8 years. I am undecided about which brand battery to recommend. Autozones Duramax is a 4 year free replacement and 5 years prorated. O'Riellys is a 4 year free replacement and 6 years prorated. The are 860 and 880 cca. Both are just over $100. I know the Diehard is a good battery but is it worth the price? I have heard to many bad reports on Optima. You can also get cheaper at Wally World.

I want a long lasting battery that will not leak and cause corrosion. My present batteries are corrosion free. Sometimes the most expensive battery is not always the best buy.

 

My 03 still has the stock batteries. I have not tested them but they seem to be fine. If they do go I will get Costco batteries although last year consumer reports gave Wally World batteries a pretty good review.

 

I got 6 years 3 months and 141K miles out of my originals which were still working. They were starting to leak a little bit of acid and I noticed the truck wasn't cranking quite as fast as in years past. So I went ahead and replaced them with Sears Diehard Platinum 2s based on good reports here on DTR. They are pretty expensive. But they sure whirl that motor over fast. So far im happy with them.




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My batteries died at 3.5 years and 60k, luckily I was near a Sears, so I called a buddy and we ran over and picked up 2 new Die Hard Platinums'.

 

This article probably will not help but its interesting to see who makes the different batteries. Like Johnson control makes batteries for DieHard, Costco, Interstate and Motorcraft.
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.as...tentid=4023696

 

Consumer Reports rated the Sears Platinums #1. Optima was waaay down there.

 

My '03 just gave up the ghost. Replaced them with Interstate. Good price, good service, good guarantee. Great specs. And the poster is correct on replace them both - - don't mess with them. The old one will take the new down to it's level.

Bob

 

I 100% fully agree Sears Die HARD Platnums.. I installed a pair about 1 year ago. lots of long-term sitting, cold weather, grid heaters ect...

also they are made with impregnated glass fiber mat and virgin lead 920 CCA each excellent warranty do some research on the internrts

 

I had one of my batteries die on me-the guy at the battery shop load tested both batteries individually, but without unhooking them

He did say that one of my batteries was on the weak side of good-but that I could go on for a while longer still. I decided to replace them anyways.

Turns out-one of the batteries was not just weak-but almost completely dead. It could barely hold 10 volts.

If you are gonna test them-make sure you disconnect them.

Also, the guy was telling me that pretty much the largest CCA rating you can get in this particular battery size is around 1050. Up from the 800ish that comes stock.
Replaced both and have never looked back.

 

just as a note , optima has come out with a d27m battery which has just as much cca and more reserve minutes as the sears platinum two's, the platinum 2's are now 209.89 plus tax plus core the d27m is available from advance auto for 158.00 with the promo discount, free shipping and no sales tax. if you eat a lot of batteries the agm won't solve your problems but in a well functioning unit they are a great alternative.

 

third generations generally seem to be very easy on batteries, my 2003 is at 164,000 will be 8 years old in june and still has the factory batteries

 

The Arizona heat must really work batteries over more than I thought. 85k miles on my truck and I went through 2 sets of factory batteries under warranty and then replaced mine with DieHards on my own dime because I was tired of the factory Mopars junking out on me. I could have replaced them with a 3rd set under warranty but I just cut my loses and sprung for the DieHards. No issues yet but they are only 6 months old or so. I expect good things out of these as I have read all about them here on DTR.

 

I had 166k on my stock batteries... still cranking over, but slow on really cold mornings. Figured a "stitch in time." Did some research, and for the price, I liked the specs of the NAPA Legend 7565. Reserve Capacity of 150 mins and 880 CCA. Got both batteries for the price of just one Optima D34M or a DieHard Platinum. Can't complain with that!