I need a new battery for my '02 4Runner and probably should get one for the 940 while I'm at it. They both need batteries with poles reversed so I'm finding my choices in batteries a bit more limited. Crappy tire and Wal-Mart both have batteries that will fit but they aren't their top-of-the-line series with the longer warranties and they're smaller in terms of CCA than I would prefer. I'm going to phone Kal-Tire tomorrow and see what they've got in the Die-Hards. I's like to get something close to 800 CCA or better, if possible.

Anybody have any recommendations on where to go for batteries or what brands are best ? Or are they all pretty much the same ?

What about these Optima/Gell batteries ? Are they worth the extra money ? I've heard they're more finicky than regular batteries i.e. more sensitive to charging voltages and overcharging and stuff like that. What's the scoop on them ? Are they better, worse or about the same as regular batteries in cold weather ?

Thanks in advance

I have Optima, red top, in my Black 740 and it has been great, holds a charge a long time for a vehicle that sits and has extremely high CCA.

The best battery deals for both price and quality I have seen are at Costco, plus they have one of the best warrantees around. Costco sells Optima every so often, but do a search on their standard Kirkland batteries and you will see there are excellent reviews on these batteries.

Sorry Ian
Kirkland Batteries are garbage they got no guts.(good reviews in the hotter states but not in the cold ones)
and stay the hell away from energizer..
Optima or Interstate and the Diehard.

I will stand by my statement, Interstate, Die Hard & Kirkland are all made by Johnson Controls Industries.

"Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names. Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts. "

http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx? ... id=4023696

Ive had good luck with the partsource/autozone brand. instant over the counter replacement for 3 or 5 years I believe. I had one freeze on me and they replaced it instantly.

Well Kal-Tire said they have a 920 CCA DieHard Gold that'll fit the 4Runner. It would probably fit nicely in the 940 T (and 740Ti) as well since both require "reverse polarity" batteries and are both about the same size. It's a bit expensive but has a way better warranty than the other ones I was offered. 100 mos (>8 years) total + 3 years free replacement vs 6-7 years + 1.5 - 2 yrs free replacement.

In case anyone is interested the Die Hard model number is 1024 DT.

One thing I did find out that was kind of interesting is that Bowness Auto Parts sells some batteries from Batteries Direct (I think out of Calgary, but from somewhere in Alberta anyways) and they give a 6 yr free replacement warranty on them. The batteries were expensive but 6 yrs free replacement is double the best anyone else offers on a standard lead-acid battery. I didn't get one because the poles were opposite to what I needed for the 4Runner. They had one that had the posts in the middle on top so could be used either way but the 4Runner's battery cables would've been too short to reach them. I needed a battery with the posts on top near one edge.

I'm just curious, do you need a special charger for the Optima/Gel batteries or will a regular, run 'o the mill trickle charger work ok ?

reg trickle charger is fine.

optima blue tops are what i run, the deep cycle ones, like grey casing, let you leave your electronics running without the motor on longer etc.

best batt i have used

ciao

The best battery I ran was the Orbital extreme one form part source. Deep cycle and all that jazz, lots of cranks and juice. But My brother somehow took it and its in the supra...dead to the world now.

Now I pick up my batteries free.99 from work, sometimes you have a lucky day

When I sold retail I never once had a happy customer with a "new/trick" (optima mainly though we got similar ones) type.
After half a dozen people making "scenes" I'll never let anything but a conventional led-acid near any of my cars.

i could use a couple random 12v batteries more than 450cca

for free99? i'll even pay you three99

take the one out of that TDI i'am going to gut out.. i think it's free.

can't really take anything out of anything right now, or for a long time. Why didn't you call Ben about his TDi? you can't just throw it our or take parts from it. his phone number is 403 605 1922

I've had no guff from the Orbital I'm running....

Course, it's only about a year and a half old now...