What Battery Are You Using?

My battery is coming up on 10 years old and is beginning to show its age. Is there a go-to battery that most people use for Tacomas?

I currently have a Duralast. Not sure what level, but it has a red cap, manufactured 2/2010.

 

Ask 10 different people, you'll get 10 different answers, lol...

My thought is that if that Duralast got you 10 years, just get another one of those.

Things change if you are running a winch and a bunch of other high amp widgets. For that, get an Optima. They're pricey, but worth it for that type of use.

I say that not having one, lol, but it's on my list.

 

I've had a Deka AGM 34R for a couple years now and have been pretty happy with it. No issues starting the truck in -30F this past winter. That said... Who knows what I'll end up with when I eventually set up for dual batteries

 

Been running a Megatron II since 2014. Functional but tired... will be time to replace soon

 

The only battery I had fail quickly was an exide from tractor supply. The interstates and optimas have done pretty well.

I think next time I'll just get a Walmart one and see how that goes.

 

And out of 10 different answers, i bet there are only 4 actual different manufacturers regardless of the name on the side

 

Thats all ive run since 2002... I think its the everstart maxx? Yllw one not the black one at wallyworld

 

I've had good luck with Duralast, mines just over 5 years old in my '96 Tacoma. I'll probably replace it another year or so. It's good policy to replace your battery every 5-6 years, sooner in hot climates.

You know there's only about a 1/2 dozen battery manufacturers who make batteries for all the battery sellers/retailers. Of course they manufacturer batteries to the individual sellers/retailer's design/specifications.
Johnson Controls, Exide, Deka to names a few.

 

Same with toolboxes

Harbor freight specials are made right next to snap-on

 

That may be but that doesn't mean that Harbor Freight toolboxes are the same quality as Snap-On.
For example, Exide manufacturers batteries for many of the larger retailers, however they don't make them to the same design and specifications they manufacturer their owe Exide branded batteries.

 

I've had my Duralast Gold battery for 3 years now and it's great. Starts up the first time everytime no matter the weather. Truck was sitting for 3 months and the battery held a charge and started up no problem. I also run extra led pod lights no problem.

 

Batteries are a chemical process, so they are very efficient when hot, but have a reduced life, and they are inefficient in cold but last a long time. Heat is what kills battery life, so you must live in a temperate region to get 10 years! I'm running an "X2 Power" AGM from Batteries Plus, it's the only battery I've found with a 4 year full replacement warranty since they stopped making the Sears DieHard Platinum.

Odyssey also makes an AGM with a good warranty, but it's a challenge finding a local dealer. I tried a mailorder Odyssey Extreme AGM and it failed in less than a year - and it cost me 100 dollars to mail it back to the distributor to cash in on the refund, which was half of what I paid for the battery. Only buying local after that experience!

 

Think Odyssey will be my next battery.

 

I bought my Toyota "True Start" battery in April 2012. I barely drive the Tacoma anymore since 2016 and that battery is on a trickle charger mostly but it's still a very healthy battery being over 7 years old. I notice I'm the only one in here so far with an actual Toyota battery.

 

Agreed, its just funny

 

Yep, I expect someday there will just be one big company that will make everything.

 

Your Toyota battery is just a rebadged interstate. Same ones they sell at Costco too and many other places.

 

I too have a True Start. Had it for about 5 years now and still seems to be going strong. Hopefully, I can around 10 years out of it as well.

 

That may explain the good quality.

 

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