I have a 98 GMC Sierra and sometimes she's flaky when it comes to starting. Recently I ran my batteries completely dead by accident. So with winter here I want to replace them to prevent getting stuck somewhere.

I was always taught that with diesels buy two of the largest batteries you can fit in the space.

Does anyone have any specific recommendations as to which brand and size batteries to buy?

1000 People -> 1000 different opinions !

Everyone will tell you what to do, but you have to decide by your own interests and money what to buy.

I would go with some gel batteries, also known as orbital batteries like Optima RedTop or Exide Maxxima 900. If you got a lot of electronics like amps, cb and so on, you should go with the same brands, but with YellowTop or Maxxima 900 DC, cause these are the deep cycle versions.

Only my 50 cents.

Cu,
Sven

My truck calls for two group 78 batteries with at least 770CCA. Thats not saying that you can't fit bigger ones under there, best bet is to take measurements of the battery holders. I need two new bateries also so I am going to go with two die hard batteries as i have looked up the reviews and I think they are the best bang for your buck. A few points to look for: top posts carry more current and are easier to clean (make sure they will not touch the hood when its dropped), high CCA's (not CA's or HCA's) and if looking at two equal rated batteries buy the heavier one (more lead=longer life).

Hope this helps.

Also,

"Vehicle" batteries are designed for high output in a short timespan, such as starting a motor. Deep cycles are used for slow rate long duration loads. Evaluate your needs and buy appropriatly.

Use any of the agm batteries out there. No more cleaning cables. Also if you know an interstate battery guy you might could get some red top blems. I got 2 from him about a week a go. Didn't need them but for $50 :D a piece I'll save them and put a trickle charger on them.

I had 2 980 cca die hards $119 each at sears and my truck cranked like crazy..some asshole stole both batteries while at work..i now have 2 red top optimas it cranks but not like it did with the die hards

I just replaced two Die Hard gold series. 1000 CCA. I replaced them because of their age (7 years). They were working OK when removed and I never had a bit of trouble with them. Just my $.02.

I just put in 2 875CCA eliminator batteries.

Have had Optimas on my last 4 trucks. Replaced my OEMs with Optimas last summer and have had zero problems. Plenty of power, plenty of reserve and consistency in 120 degrees (AZ) down to -30 degrees (WI).

I have two new Interstate Optima Red-Top Gell Cell batteries (see my signature info) and really like the performance. They have a lot of cranking power & really spins the engine great. They come with both top-post and side-post arrangement, leaving it up to the buyer which to use.:)

The higher the CCA (cold cranking amps) the closer the plates are within the cells. This means greater the chance of shorting cell plate to plate than lower CCA batteries. So, there are pro's and con's to going "bigger is better."

If your going "biggest", remember not to just measure the holder. On mine there is a metal plate about 1/4" behind the +terminal. Any bigger and I think it would cause some probs. Not sure on your 98 GMC Sierra though.

AC Delco

I replaced batteries on both the Tahoe and the 'Burb at the same time - the guy at the Costco was asking "Are you sure you need that many?". They have been excellent batteries and I have not had any problems in over 2 years. At the time, they were the best price/performance I could find.

Sincerely,

Rob :)

I have had better luck with Autozone's Duralast Gold. It has close to 1000 CCA. Only around $75 each. I did not have too much luck with DieHard, of course that was for my sedans.

OMG, Duralast is the last thing I'd put in my truck. Well, except maybe for a Walmart special. Back when I was a poor kid with a lot of junkers I was always needing a battery. I always bought the $29.95 Neverstart from Walmart or the Duralast from Autozone. And I always had problems, because they are cheap recycled junk. Maybe the highest upgrade most expensive one they make isn't recycled, but the cheapo ones are. I finally smartened up and started buying big Diehard Golds, always loved them and the problems stopped. This truck came with two brand new no-name parts store batteries, lasted about two years, not too good for new matched big batteries. Replaced them with new matched AC Delcos, which I was told were the absolute best, got two years and replaced them under warranty once. Turned them in and bought Diehard SUV 990 cca at Sears, they are awesome, I have the utmost confidence in them and I am done trying any other battery, including AC Delco.
I was told by a mechanic that the Optimas are dry cell, which is better for the long drain down time, but if you totally kill it you will not be able to save it like you can a regular battery. Don't know if it was true, but he seemed certain. I know the people who have them love them, but I'm not sold on them.

I had an 88 burb and I put a optima red top in it and it lasted for 11 years. I know this for sure because I took it to the distributor (not a dealer) and he checked the dated stamp code. Eleven years makes it a cheap battery.

Merry Christmas

I just put two of these Oddysey batteries in my truck. Even in very cold weather they really crank the motor over. They're a bit pricey, but rugged and military spec.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1500.htm

Confused yet?

Who has the highest CCA battery in a Group 78? I don't want to have to search everybody, call me lazy. For me, the highest CCA is the most important thing, not the name on the side.

I found the CAT batteries I got had the highest CCA at 0 degrees, 900 i think, most are measured from 32... the CAT's where also 80 bucks each, and had side terminals AND top posts... fit right in the battery slots on the truck too

Where can you buy CAT batteries, other than a CAT dealer?

Most of the batteries except for a few are made by Johnson Control including DieHard, Duralast, MaxxStart, etc. JC also owned Optima now. Napa and Interstate are made by Exide.

Does anyone know who manufacturers Batteries Plus's "Werker" store brand is? It looks a little like an Exide Technologies case.

just replaced my 2 Duralast Golds 1000CCAs, new in 03, were just starting to flake out, 1 batt had low water, 7yr prorated, wound up after pro-rate only having to pay for 1 batt out of the pair, always replace in pairs, 1 bad will kill a good one eventually, I also get same mfg date. worked great were starting to act up in cold weather

I switched to Optima red top because I was rattlin the water out of the others and croding the battery tray. So I would say the Optima red and yellow tops are great. I would consider the (amg) odessey battery.

I suggest Canadian Tire 'Eliminator' pro batteries. 975 CCA, both side-and-top posts, 9 year free replacement and 27 year pro-rated warranty.

Go down to your local Canadian Tire store and check them out.

:)

There has to be a few advantages to living in this climate.

You have got to be kidding, 9 yr free replace and 27 yr prorated?!!!!

How much do they cost?

You have got to be kidding, 9 yr free replace and 27 yr prorated?!!!!

How much do they cost?

Pretty funny story... the batteries were $102 each, with a 3yr replace and 9 yr pro-rate, but they had a deal on that you could 'triple your battery warranty' for an extra $9.
:wtf:
So I paid it. $111 apiece for the last batteries I'll ever buy.

Not sure if they always have that deal, or if it was just at the time, but they're darn good batteries.

Course, this doesn't do y'all any good if you don't have a Canadian Tire store around handy...

Pretty funny story... the batteries were $102 each, with a 3yr replace and 9 yr pro-rate, but they had a deal on that you could 'triple your battery warranty' for an extra $9.
:wtf:
So I paid it. $111 apiece for the last batteries I'll ever buy.

Not sure if they always have that deal, or if it was just at the time, but they're darn good batteries.

Course, this doesn't do y'all any good if you don't have a Canadian Tire store around handy...

Huh... I'll have to see if they have that deal round here... I did find out that Can. Tires aren't chain owned, so one might have a special on, all the others might not... Nor will one match the sale price of another store... Total BS if you ask me.

I need batterys soon too... Was thinkin Optima... But for the $$$ might just go with crappy tire.

i want to get a matched set of odyssey batteries. but i don't have a spare $500+. i want at least 800 CCA each out of new batteries. the ones i've got now are 770CCA and they aren't bad yet but i don't know how old they are and the truck sat for two years before i bought it. i'm wondering if those batteries just sat there and the PO charged them before he put the truck up for sale? i've never let the truck sit long enough to see if the batteries will go dead.

i want to get a matched set of odyssey batteries. but i don't have a spare $500+. i want at least 800 CCA each out of new batteries. the ones i've got now are 770CCA and they aren't bad yet but i don't know how old they are and the truck sat for two years before i bought it. i'm wondering if those batteries just sat there and the PO charged them before he put the truck up for sale? i've never let the truck sit long enough to see if the batteries will go dead.

Get em tested if you're worried. Any autoparts place should be able to do it.

had the local napa test them and with both batteries hooked up it came out to ~1030 CCA. should be more so maybe i've got one battery going south?

had the local napa test them and with both batteries hooked up it came out to ~1030 CCA. should be more so maybe i've got one battery going south?

What should it be?

I have always had good service from these, about 65 bucks at Walmart

http://flashoffroad.com/electrical/Batteries/image/DSC00440.jpg

Also,

"Vehicle" batteries are designed for high output in a short timespan, such as starting a motor. Deep cycles are used for slow rate long duration loads. Evaluate your needs and buy appropriatly.

X2 on that & don't forget deep cycle batteries don't have the snap of a std vehicle battery

AC Delco

You mean AC Delco "REAM ME":eek::mad::D

i want to get a matched set of odyssey batteries. but i don't have a spare $500+. i want at least 800 CCA each out of new batteries. the ones i've got now are 770CCA and they aren't bad yet but i don't know how old they are and the truck sat for two years before i bought it. i'm wondering if those batteries just sat there and the PO charged them before he put the truck up for sale? i've never let the truck sit long enough to see if the batteries will go dead.

had the local napa test them and with both batteries hooked up it came out to ~1030 CCA. should be more so maybe i've got one battery going south?


What's the store around the corner from your house?

Louis

not so much "around the corner" but its about 10 minutes away. its Fair Auto/Napa. had them test the batteries again this time separately and they both came out to 660 CCA. new they were supposed to be rated at 770 CCA each so they are worn in but not dead yet.

new they were supposed to be rated at 770 CCA

I've never thought of this before, and I've bought a BUNCH of batteries over the years, but *supposed to be rated at* is an interesting statement. Unless they were tested when bought - you really don't know that they weren't 660 CCA when new. Although I've never had a battery's rating actually measured when I bought one, I sure will from now on... I guess this is how you get *matched* batteries?? (I'd wondered how you knew you got a matched set.)