best battery for off road - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FRENCHBLUE72 · 11-27-2004, 02:09 PM

I am looking at getting a new battery for my off road truck.. It has lights winch cb elecrtic fans and some other acc.. If you guys have any other suggestions other than whan what I listed please give me your input..

Mudder · 11-27-2004, 02:16 PM

I think the Sears are good. I would just prefer the Optima since it is jelly filled. I have a rd top and have never had any problems with it.

68w/sbc406 · 11-27-2004, 02:37 PM

with optima you can mount them sideways under your seat. i got a yellow top and love it. my alternator went out and it damaged the battery, so i took it in under warrenty and got a new one. FYI red top has a 2 year free replacement warrenty and the yellow top only has a one year

toddtheodd · 11-27-2004, 02:36 PM

Just remember to get the most cold cranking amps possible. I have a 925 in my truck. I'd have to crank on it for almost 6 hours straight to kill it, and I have accidentily left my electic fans on (toggle switch for now) for 8 hours and was still able to start the truck.

Cethern · 11-27-2004, 07:00 PM

I had a Red top in my FJ-40 that I beat the hell out of with a winch and off road lights and such.
The only thing I would different now days is go to a Dual battery setup, I would use a Red top for starting and such and use a Yellow top for the winch and off road lights.

djracer · 11-27-2004, 09:49 PM

I have optima's in everything I own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRENCHBLUE72 · 11-28-2004, 12:40 AM

The wife suprised me and brought a red top home... Hell ya..

**BAD4X4** · 11-28-2004, 12:47 AM

What a nice wife you have, Mine does the same thing sometimes..........

4x4Poet · 11-28-2004, 04:53 AM

Since you listed yellowtop Optimas, I have no qualms about suggesting expensive batteries for off-road use:

Hawker Odyssey batteries are vastly superior to the Optimas. Odysseys are a true, explosion-proof dry cell that "combine in one box the characteristics of two separate batteries. It can deep cycle (be recharged) as well as provide enormous cranking power." Basically, a it's a tough starting battery that can also be run down to zero charge with no harm just like batteries advertised as "deep cycle". The Odysseys only hurt the wallet.

The Hawker Odysseys also have no tempermental recharge characteristics like the redtop Optimas. I have gone thru two Optima redtops because they were near completely discharged but would not come back, even for a battery shop.

For 67-72 GM trucks, the Odyssey PC1200MJT is probably the best fit for OEM battery trays. And at the Optima yellowtop price. I hope this has been of help to all but your budget.

djracer · 11-28-2004, 01:17 PM

The hawker batteries are awesome but higher in most places than a yellow top. I have one for my dragtruck project!

View Poll Results: which batter would you buy for off road
sears diehard	2	8.00%
optima red top	17	68.00%
optima yellow top	6	24.00%
les schwab type	0	0%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

11-27-2004, 02:09 PM	#1
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	best battery for off road I am looking at getting a new battery for my off road truck.. It has lights winch cb elecrtic fans and some other acc.. If you guys have any other suggestions other than whan what I listed please give me your input.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P.. Last edited by FRENCHBLUE72; 11-27-2004 at 02:13 PM.

11-27-2004, 02:37 PM	#3
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	with optima you can mount them sideways under your seat. i got a yellow top and love it. my alternator went out and it damaged the battery, so i took it in under warrenty and got a new one. FYI red top has a 2 year free replacement warrenty and the yellow top only has a one year __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

11-27-2004, 07:00 PM	#5
Cethern What was I thinking?? Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Commerce City Co Posts: 636	I had a Red top in my FJ-40 that I beat the hell out of with a winch and off road lights and such. The only thing I would different now days is go to a Dual battery setup, I would use a Red top for starting and such and use a Yellow top for the winch and off road lights. __________________ 72 K5 that needs lots of parts.. 71 GMC 3/4 4x4 That doesn't need much which is a good thing I don't think I could aford another money pit...

11-27-2004, 09:49 PM	#6
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	I have optima's in everything I own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

11-27-2004, 02:16 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I think the Sears are good. I would just prefer the Optima since it is jelly filled. I have a rd top and have never had any problems with it.

11-27-2004, 02:36 PM	#4
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Just remember to get the most cold cranking amps possible. I have a 925 in my truck. I'd have to crank on it for almost 6 hours straight to kill it, and I have accidentily left my electic fans on (toggle switch for now) for 8 hours and was still able to start the truck.

11-28-2004, 12:40 AM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	The wife suprised me and brought a red top home... Hell ya.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

11-28-2004, 12:47 AM	#8
BAD4X4 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: La pine Oregon Posts: 1,668	What a nice wife you have, Mine does the same thing sometimes.......... __________________ 1972 Cheyenne K-30 6"lift {502 PROJECT} 1972 Cheyenne K-30 8"lift 454 450hp {Ol'Blue} 1972 Cheyenne K-20 Custom Stretch 6" lift 454 1972 Custom Deluxe K-20 4" lift 2007 GMC Crew Cab Diesel 6"lift {The Tow Rig 2017 Ford F-350 Crew Cab 6.7 6"lift (Wife's) 1977 El Camino SS Grandpa baught new 1986 K-30 Crew Cab 502 1955 Chevy 2-Door gasser 454 550hp{project} 1956 Chevy Bel-Air 2-Door hardtop 572 700hp 1979 Ford F-350 All Original 4x4 (Wife's)

11-28-2004, 04:53 AM	#9
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Since you listed yellowtop Optimas, I have no qualms about suggesting expensive batteries for off-road use: Hawker Odyssey batteries are vastly superior to the Optimas. Odysseys are a true, explosion-proof dry cell that "combine in one box the characteristics of two separate batteries. It can deep cycle (be recharged) as well as provide enormous cranking power." Basically, a it's a tough starting battery that can also be run down to zero charge with no harm just like batteries advertised as "deep cycle". The Odysseys only hurt the wallet. The Hawker Odysseys also have no tempermental recharge characteristics like the redtop Optimas. I have gone thru two Optima redtops because they were near completely discharged but would not come back, even for a battery shop. For 67-72 GM trucks, the Odyssey PC1200MJT is probably the best fit for OEM battery trays. And at the Optima yellowtop price. I hope this has been of help to all but your budget. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

11-28-2004, 01:17 PM	#10
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	The hawker batteries are awesome but higher in most places than a yellow top. I have one for my dragtruck project! __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!



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