BATTERY UPGRADE??

Yep, I lived in Tucson and the heat was really hard on batteries that weren't designed for it. The poor guys in the Caterpillar Dozer maintenance shop side thought I was crazy in my Dockers and Polo shirt when I went in and bought a Grader battery and put it in my Grand Marquis. 8 years later the car was totaled by another driver in a hurry with that same battery! Best $80 I had spent in a long time!

 

While you can run lithium you do have to completely redo you power system. Lithium does not like heat at all and engine compartment heat will kill it pretty quickly. I run a lithium bank on my other car for the air ride and sound system but I also had my battery setup relocated into the rear hatch well away from the engine and heat. I like running Interstate batteries in the truck, mainly because there is a store convenient to me if I need anything. If I was to upgrade the charging system to properly charge AGM then I would go with Odyssey batteries.

 

Walmart AGM's were a good value last time I bought some and were priced less than a good Lead Acid from Interstate and other similar brands. Works like a charm in a farm truck I have.

 

What are the odds TWO people are running a Caterpillar Battery and have an accident together? WILD!

Jokes aside... Where does one find the Catepillar Batteries and how easy are they to get?

 

In my case, 2nd gen it’s THIS positive wire that’s too short

 

Interesting... What is restricting the wire from reaching the positive connector on the battery? Something taped off somewhere?

On my truck, there was no restriction; and I definitely did not extend the positive lead.

 

That one I’m pointing at that goes into the bottom of the fuse box, will be an easy fix though…. That ground that goes into the fender would be a tight stretch so I think I’ll just grind off some paint and drive a new screw through that a little closer to the terminal. Thanks for the good advice- I just found this one at wall mart that was made 11/24—$93 - it was behind the ones that were made 7/24 haha

 

In my case, I left my SW job site during the lunch hour and went to the local Caterpillar dealer selling dozers, excavators, etc and walked into the parts department from the repair shop side door.
The guys at the counter and various people in the parking lot thought I was some crazy dude when I took a wrench to my bad battery in my Grand Marquis and went in for the battery exchange lugging that heavy sucker in a pair of dress shoes!

The parts counter guy said "we don't sell car batteries!". I said I don't want a car battery, I want one that is groups XX and sized XYZ! Turns out the grader battery was the same exact groups size as my car!!! Surprise, surprise!

10 minutes later I was on my way back to work in the "cube farm".

For people interested, Google Caterpillar dealer and find the one closest to you. In major cities, they are generally pretty easy to find and get to. At the time, I lived in an area with a lot of mining so, satellite "shops" for the main Caterpillar dealer where plentiful and well dispersed.

 

^^^ GENIUS ^^^

Edit to add - If anyone else is interested...
https://parts.cat.com/en/empire/250-0486

 

THANKS AGAIN!!! it’s done. Idk where I’d be without Tacoma world haha just had to extend that 4awg cable and move the negative fender mount wire

 

For interests sake, the group 94R/H7 battery fits in the same space as the group 27's. The only glitch is that it's slightly shorter which means using an aftermarket hold down. These are way easier to source, more powerful and are fitted to new Toyotas (Tundra) and most of the European cars and Chryslers.

 

Unless you’re running a fridge or audio system, you don’t need anything beyond the standard auto part store special.

Still a fun project if you wanna throw money at your truck.

 

I actually saved money and have a longer cable now making it possible to install different styles of batteries if ever in a jam

 

I keep the dimensions of my battery on my phone incase I need them in an emergency replacement, along with a diagram of the serpentine belt .

 

FWIW Lithium is a no go for starter batteries for cars and trucks. Li batteries are not made to dump high current like lead or AGMs, it will damage them.

 

While not a 2nd gen, I run a similar setup. I have the Gen 5x1 permanently installed and added the AC port plug they also make. Works great. I plug it in on the weekends.

 

I love my x2power. I have the 27f and did the voltage boost mod. I've had mine a year. When i hit the starter in 20 degree weather, it hits damn hard

 

I’ve been running this setup for 7 years. Shooting for 10 before doing it again.

 

Good to know. I just put one in mine last month.