Optima battery

[70k52wd]

Just wondering if an optima batt fits the factory tray using the factory hold down clamp. I need a really good batt for BIG stereo and air-pod, a/c and such.
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[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

Just wondering if an optima batt fits the factory tray using the factory hold down clamp. I need a really good batt for BIG stereo and air-pod, a/c and such.
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Fits like a glove to a hand, just put one in mine last week

[70k52wd]

Thanks jaros. What group size, bottom shape did you get?
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[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

Thanks jaros. What group size, bottom shape did you get?
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Ill check it out tomorrow and give you demensions...need pics?

[70k52wd]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Ill check it out tomorrow and give you demensions...need pics?

Sure, we love pics around here.
I'm wanting to order a batt online, so the size/fit is crucial.
Thanks.
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[Burt4x4]

I use the Redtop 800cca
The battery resembles a six pack of cans..well at the bottom clamp on the tray I ground a U shape in the center of the clamp inorder to seat the clamp further in suronding the center 'can' for a better clamp..otherwise the clamp is just barley pinching the bottom of the batt inplace.

[lolife99]

I had the 34/78 size in the blazer.

http://shop.optimabatteries.com/prod...59.0.0.0?pp=8&

Do some research on them.
After mine failed in less than 2 years,... I found out they recommend no more than a 2amp charge.
No 15 amp, 30 amp, or high amp fast chargers should touch these batteries.
Also they recommend a "Battery Tender" on them at all times, if you don't drive it everyday.
My buddies that have them in their daily drivers love them and have great success.
Mine failed even with storing it disconnected.
I went back to an AC Delco battery in the blazer.

I didn't know much about them until I started having problems.

[jaros44sr]

Battery does seat in the back notch, and like Burt said you could cut out the front clamp. Mine isnt centered, but will be, after i cut the clamp

Good info. on the charger, hope i didnt cook it...next purchase,battery tender

[70k52wd]

Thanks guys for all the feed back and pics.
I do have a 2 amp charger and batt tender, I even pull the batt for long term parking.
I can mod the hold down easy enough. I'm just thinking about having such a colorful batt under the hood. I'm old, batts should be black and square.
I'm going to see what else is out there just to see all my options before I decide.
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[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

Thanks guys for all the feed back and pics.
I do have a 2 amp charger and batt tender, I even pull the batt for long term parking.
I can mod the hold down easy enough. I'm just thinking about having such a colorful batt under the hood. I'm old, batts should be black and square.
I'm going to see what else is out there just to see all my options before I decide.
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They still make tar tops....if original is more your style, not that tar tops are original to 72s.

But, I believe I have seen reproductions of our era

Lol, I agree with you on black, but now that I just went past 60, my view of the way things are have changed.....function over form. I like it because, when I charge it, battery acid doesnt splash all over my core support, as did my diehard

Hey, I think someone resized my pics for me

[lolife99]

My 34/78 series Optima battery bolted in with no modifications.

[msgross]

After hearing tons of horror stories about these I spent $100 on a trusty Megatron from interstate...

[Firebirdjones]

I've never been happy with my redtop optima. The 6 pack shape didn't fit the tray correctly. It came with these cheap plastic clips that snapped on the bottom to form around the round barrels of the battery and make the bottom square, but the factory battery hold down still wouldn't hold the battery correctly. Any bouncing around and that thing was shifting all over the place.
I ended up making a bar accross the top with J-bolts to hold it in temporarily in fear of a battery fire.

I also don't like how close together the battery side terminals are.

I have had it for 2 years now without any starting issues however. I only bought it because I was informed of how tolerant they are from bouncing around off road. But if I had to do it all over again I'd go back to my AC Delco's for a more correct appearance and a proper fit.

As a matter of fact, I'd trade this thing in a heartbeat for an AC Delco. I hate looking at that optima, it's just ugly I'm old fassioned too and actually run the factory tar top style batteries in some of my other classics.

[old man jimmy]

Here's a bit of battery trivia for you younger people. Back in the 70's Penny's came out with a lifetime battery, good for as long as you own your car. Guess what's in mine? After Penny's auto dept. went out, they contracted with firestone to replace them. Haven't paid for a battery since the mid 70's. So I have an Exide in mine. actually I have them in 2 of my rigs.

[jaros44sr]

DAM, dont be calling my battery ugly beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

I just wanted to stop battery acid from spueing all over my core support and firewall, I just put a new one in, and dont feel like changing it anytime soon

And, yes I remember JCPennies, still have my dads 3/8 drive drill. Think it was a Penncrest

Heres function over form

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

DAM, dont be calling my battery ugly beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

I just wanted to stop battery acid from spueing all over my core support and firewall, I just put a new one in, and dont feel like changing it anytime soon

And, yes I remember JCPennies, still have my dads 3/8 drive drill. Think it was a Penncrest

Heres function over form

I meant that in the nicest way possible

I don't mean to come off harsh on the optima's appearance. I've just been running correct AC delco batteries in the classic cars for 20+ years, and even a correct autolite in the lone ford here.
So when I pop the hood on the blazer, that bright red optima just jumps out at me
At some point I'll go back to a modern version of the AC delco in there.

[SamMargritz00]

I have the yellow top D34/78 in my blazer and i love it. the factory battery clamp holds it into place. I used the car selecter on the Optima Battery website and thats what came up for my 72. I have 1/0 gauge wire running clear to the back to run 1500 watts rms for my two kicker l7's, another amp for all my speakers, and a vintage air and i have had no problems at all. My headlights dont even dim at all when the bass hits.

[OJ1988]

I had a red top in my camaro and a yellow top in the 55. Both failed due to cars sitting even with battery disconnected.

I only trickle charged them as well.

I am going back to 'regular' type ones as well.

[Vintage Windmills]

Top post of my friends red top broke off so its now junk

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Top post of my friends red top broke off so its now junk

Did they not stand behind, and give him credit

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Did they not stand behind, and give him credit

I don't think he knew about the warranty or thought it would apply since it came in a vehicle he bought.

Personally, I've had good luck with Die hards from Sears.

[D.PASSMORE]

The only negative; Is when they sit and they drain. They will not hold a charge very well after that. I have a yellow top in my Blazer. Bought it when I had the money, sat it on the shelf for a year. Never came back to life - in the right way. It would lose its charge after a few days of sitting and running in the vehicle-extensivley. Looking for a replacement, maybe a Odyssey AGM Battery.

BTW, I had a red top that lasted 4 years without a problem, took it from the store, installed, never a problem.

Morale: don't let them die...

As for fitment: not a problem. Gotta play with the Optima plastic inserts for them to fit under the metal holdown clamp.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by D.PASSMORE

As for fitment: not a problem. Gotta play with the Optima plastic inserts for them to fit under the metal holdown clamp.

Yep, did that for about 3 hours and still wasn't happy with the fit. I could still grab it with my hands and move it enough to wiggle it loose, so I didn't trust that cheesy setup. I threw them in the trash and just made a bar accross the top with U-bolts.

When a battery comes with plastic snap on pieces to fit multiple applications I start questioning it's build quality, I thought I had a battery made with lego's

[fastwillie 696969]

im going to use a solar battery charger ,

[70k52wd]

Looks like with all things in life they're are some that do and some that don't.
I think I'm going to go Delco, I've kept under the hood extremly factory. I like the power of the optima, but I need form over function.
I'll power the air-pod with it's own batt hidden in the back. That's what started all this, the air-pod drained my batt, although the batt I knew was old and not holding a charge.
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