Battery

Hey TW ! with winter coming im looking for some recommendations for a battery for the taco. Should I go AGM or FLA? What CCA should I be looking for? My truck currently has 27F 850CCA but when I look around i could only find 27f 710CCA, would that be fine to run in the truck/winter? I live up in northern Canada

2009 4.0l

 

710 CCA should be fine. Plenty enough to turn over a 4.0.
Since you had to ask, I assume you don't live in upper Canada or Alaska where a block heater is needed.
So 710 CCA should be just fine.

 

710 is standard and is used for v8's

You can also switch to 24F which has more CCA but less amp hours.

27F has slightly less CCA but more amp hours.

Honestly it doesnt matter that much for daily drivers. AGM adds costs and can tolerate temps better but costs more.

 

I picked up a Duralast Platinum AGM (710 CCA, 885 CA, 120 RC) about 6 months ago and I’ve been really happy with it so far. Starts are quick and easy every time, and it definitely holds voltage better over longer periods compared to my old lead-acid. Solid upgrade.

 

It seems that OEM'S include a rather large battery for a buffer...
Just out of curiosity I mounted a 350CCA Lawnmower battery in my 07 V6. It needed a new battery anyway.
Started it 5 times back-to-back with little to no hesitation.
I do live in Texas, though.
The OEM spec battery should be plenty powerful.

 

I've been using an Odyssey AGM for years now. It's 850CCA.
Also, if you're plugging in nightly include a battery tender / charger that will keep your AGM battery fully charged.

 

Interstate 27F 710 CCA 36-Month Free Replacement.

I wouldn't worry about the extra CCA's unless you live in or near Fort Kent or the Northwest Territories, in which case you'd need a block-heater.

 

Reposting this - again.

My '09 Tacoma was built in November of 2008.

In October of 2014 (6 years) the OEM Group 27F battery died. I almost died when I saw what Toyota wanted for a replacement. That day, I spliced 2" of AWG #6 wire onto the negative lead where it attaches to the inner fender. According to my notes, this cost me <$20 for wire, the correct size butt splice, and heat shrink tubing. This enabled me to use a non "F" battery in my truck. The next day, I bought a Walmart Group 27 Deep Cycle Marine battery for $87 in Massachusetts, and I changed the battery in the Walmart parking lot. In November of 2021 (7 years later), while the battery load/resistance tested OK at Advance Auto Parts, I decided that I was pushing my luck, and bought my second Group 27 Deep Cycle Marine battery from Walmart. This time it cost me $92 with Florida's state tax. I am still running that battery today.


EverStart Lead Acid Marine & RV Deep Cycle Battery, Group Size 27DC 12 Volt, 740 MCA = 937.5 CCA - I see that the price is now up to $94.

You do you. However, despite the forum-know-it-all predictions of short circuits and the need for a $300+ AGM battery every 5 years in every vehicle (you guys crack me up); in the 10+ years that I have been running with the extra 2" of negative lead, and Marine Deep Cycle batteries in my truck, I have had no DC or battery related issues!

MY total cost for batteries in the 16 years that I have owned my Tacoma has been <$200.

Toyota makes the negative wire that attaches to the inner fender as short as possible so that they can save $0.002 on the manufacturing cost of every vehicle, AND to force you into buying a "-F" battery at a +30% price premium.

Add two inches to that negative lead and you can mount either an "-F" or a "non-F" battery in the stock battery tray. There was nothing for me to do to the positive lead because on my truck it reached either the front or the rear of the battery without issue. There are no downsides to this modification on the Gen 2 Tacoma; assuming that you can either manage a quality splice, or use a longer cable.

This is what my battery installation looks like;



[EDIT] Yes, the pic above was taken in 2023 at ~124K miles. I have STILL not changed this battery (Sept 2025 at 142K miles), and it is still going strong.


Misc bits of relevant information;

From Google:
"Marine batteries feature thicker internal lead plates than car batteries. This allows them to discharge energy over a longer period of time. Housings are also typically larger than an equivalent car battery, with extra plastic protection since boating environments are not nearly as smooth as on-road driving."

From me:
"I like Marine Batteries because they have two post types for each terminal. There is the typical "car battery post," and a bolt post which uses an (included) nut to secure the connection. I use the typical post for connection to the vehicle, and the bolt for connection to my battery tender, or I could also use it for high current accessories (winch, etc.)"

From http://everstartbattery.net/
"EverStart is a battery brand exclusively distributed and sold by the retail giant Walmart. Its developer and manufacture is the Milwaukee based company Johnson Controls. Though not that popular, Johnson Controls is a giant company producing automotive interior systems including electronics and batteries....

... marine or deep cycle types are capable of delivering constant rate of energy for a longer period of time. So if you need long lasting power for your vehicle or even household power needs, this is the best type to choose."

 

The two year old picture was buggin' me, so I took a new series of "under hood" pictures today. This battery should be good until 2028.

 

Pretty sure most Duralast (AutoZone) and Everstart (Walmart) batteries are made by Johnson Controls, same as the OEM battery and lots of other brands. In case you get a dud (it can happen), I'd just get one from whatever battery retailer is closest by with a good price.

 

You should check with local Toyota dealer about battery cost. My original 27F lasted 8 years and the second 7. I just got my third at the Toyota dealer. It was $159 US and came with an 8-year warranty. That price was better than any local part shop, or Batteries Plus. The warranty was also better. I don't know who makes it for Toyota, but I also live in a cold climate and have never had an issue with a dead battery from the cold. I did have to install it myself to avoid a ridiculous labor charge from the dealer, but it's only a 10-minute job.

 

I went to advance auto 5 yrs ago and bought a 27f diehard , still going strong.

 

I have nothing to add to the battery conversation but I am going to start sharpie/paint penning my oil filter. That's a great idea, thanks for that!

Carry on.

 

I do that with all of the filters (cabin and engine air, and oil) and the batteries in all of my vehicles.

 

I just keep a log, it’s just a simple spreadsheet with date, mileage and service . I keep this in my file cabinet and also note what oil , plugs, filters are being used. I staple this inside of a standard paper file. This not only reminds you of what has been completed or upcoming service is due. But when it’s time to sell the vehicle, these service logs are a window into how the vehicle was maintained and that translates into higher return. It sends the message. This guys has really has taken care of his truck and I’m fine with what he wants for it.

 

Toyota oem batteries are made by Panasonic. They are excellent batteries.

I pulled the original battery out of my '15 Cruiser when I bought it in '17 and replaced it with a high $$$ Odyssey group 31 AGM. The Odyssey is now starting to show signs of dying. A new one is now over $600. I still have the 10 year old Panasonic 27F on the shelf in my garage, it gets an hour of trickle charge every day (timer) and I tested it the other day, my tester says it's still good. I may just stick it back in the truck to see if it holds up for the winter.

 

I do that too... But the log is on my laptop, and I don't always have my laptop with me - especially on the boat.
This is waaay OT

 

J-VIN Toyotas made in Japan do come with Panasonic batteries. Our 4Runners came with Panasonics that lasted a really long time. Tacomas made in North America come with a TruStart-branded battery, and the ones I've seen are made by Johnson Controls.

 

Ah, that makes sense.

 

My local Toyota dealer sells Interstate batteries, just like Costco...but they are $50 more expensive. Maybe they include their installation in the price?