factory battery finally died

That's the theory ... I guess ... I think the main point is they are gel cell. Supposed to be better in extreme cold. We'll see how this one lasts ... if it dies in anything less than 6 years, I won't do it again. This is my first time buying one, even though I've been here 10 years ... but I've only been working straight night shifts for the last 2 years.

Oh ... CCA's were higher, but I'd have to check how much...can't remember ... frickin' "sometimers"

 

That's about when mine went out was around 43k miles. I have 104k miles on my '07 now.

 

Some amazing life, the battery in my 09 lasted until Nov 2011... Only good thing was it was still in warranty and was replaced free. Heat is the killer for batteries where I live, usually you get one or two "slow start" warnings then it's totally gone. Much different then battery deaths when I was up north.

 

My 08 with 60,000 miles on it is still running good and even has the green dot!

 

Get the Sear Platinum PM2 34m - made by Odyssey and a great price - i'd be leary of Optima's they are Hecho in Mexico now and quality is hit or miss. I stopped buying them after 2 failed batteries in 1 year.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850134000P?mv=rr

I just picked this up and am happy with it. My 2007 still had the factory battery and its still was working - more of a pro-active replacement as I knew it was going out soon and with winter here...

 

the difference in CCA between the optima was 720 and the duralast gold was 710. and as I said before the run time of the dura was twice as long. and it was the 27f for towing package. the dura is also about 2 or 3 inches longer than the optima, which might have something to do with the run time... I've had a optima before, loved it, it lasted me 3 years then poof dead. got a warranty replacement one month before it was up.

biggest complaint about gel cell batteries is that they can ONLY trickle charge... so if you have to go get it tested cause you think it is bad, prepare for at least an hour wait, could be 24 hours, depends on how fast the machine can get a reading on the battery.

 

Thanks for the info ... I'll have to see how it goes; first time I've gone this direction. I was concerned with the overnight cold soaks at sub zero temps. Appreciate the heads up.

 

True towing package with 130 AMP Denso alternator is a difference. This thing can charge battery in minutes. My original battery still cranked but after being park for 2 days and 4F outside it cranked slower then usuall so I decided not to take risks. Replaced with OEM 27F. Old battery is fully charged and now works as the secondary battery. So now I have two 27F

 

Still on my first battery with 2008 toyota tacoma prerunner 4 door. with 115,000 miles. I was thinking of changing the battery out today since I am heading up to mountains and it's gonna be a lot colder. It's been a little slower to start lately as well.

What do ya'll think??

 

just had the pleasure of replacing the battery on my 2006. The regulator went on the alternator and it overcharged...i wonder how long the battery would have lasted

 

i still have the original battery on my 06 at 95k.. it'll bite the dust very soon

 

my 06 battery is still kicking!! i had it load tested and it is still in decent shape. it got down to the low 20's when i took it hunting last week. i thought it was a goner. nope..cold? hahahhahhah. no problem.

when it dies..i am going with an interstate battery.

 

My 05 battery died in 09. Bought a Optima red top and haven't had a problem since. It powers my system nicely. Don't let the fact that they are made in Mexico keep you from buying one, that's just stupid. A lot of Tacoma's are made in Mexico and that doesn't make them any less reliable.

Oddyssey batteries are better, though.

 

odyssey batteries (and the sears platinum, which as someone else mentioned is just a rebadged odyssey) carry a 48 month full replacement plus a 100 month pro rated warranty. i'm done with optimas also, they aren't what they used to be in my opinion and not worth the premium.

i'm amazed at some of the life you guys are getting with your stock batteries though, wow.

 

Hopefully your Duralast will treat you as well as mine has. I put a Duralast Gold in my 1999 Tacoma back in March of 2004 when the OEM battery failed. 8 years on a battery ain't too shabby!

 

The Optima spiral cell batteries are much lighter. You are paying for the technology.

 

Have the Sears Platinum batteries in both of our boats. One set is 4 years old and they sit unused, uncharged from Sept till May. When I put the charger on them in May they are still at 98%!!!

THE best battery I have ever used bar none.

 

I hear nothing but bad things about the platnum batterys. Im going to replace mine with an optima when my current battery kicks the bucket.

 

someone told me once most automotive batteries are made at the same place and then branded for wherever the hell they are sold. one of the few execptions is Die Hard who allegedly do their own manufacturing. i can't confirm this but i swear by die hard batteries. i put them in all my vehicles when the oem eats shit and i have a 100% record of selling or crashing my vehicle before the Die Hard needs to be replaced. i currently have a Die Hard Gold in my Mazda 626 that has been in the car since 6/2/2005 and it's still working great. end advertisement.

 

I have 75K on my 2006 and my original battery is still ticking. I have been thinking about replacing it soon, but still unsure on what battery to get. Lots of good choices out there.