A buddy of mine has an 05 FX4 Scab and he asked me to ask you guys what's is the best replacement battery for his truck. I've been trying to get him to join but he's not an internet guy, lol. What do you guys recommend and why?

 

optima yellow top

 

Lots of people swear by motorcraft batteries. I have yet to see a single good one with my own eyes.

I replaced the last Motorcraft (4th battery in 3 years) with an Optima Yellow top. Been in almost a year now with zero problems. I'm sold!

 

Depends on what you are using it for. The average Joe doesnt have a need for a Optima yellow top. A red top will do just fine. Folks like JGJ on the other hand do have the need.

 

Underneath the plastic, the yellow top and the red top are the same battery.

The red/yellow/blue top is easily the best battery available today, three are no other contenders.

 

This months consumer reports auto battery ratings best buy recommends Everstart Maxx-65N (north conditions). Everstart Maxx 65S (south conditions) $75. Sold at Wally World

Duralast Gold 65-DLG $97
Napa 8465 $90

 

.x2

 

Not really. They are two different batteries with two different sets of ratings for two different uses.

 

Nope. It's just for looks.

The red top would be like a direct replacement of your current battery, but better.

The yellow top is a deep cylce battery, which is good for more intense applications that use more power. ie sound systems, extra lights, accessories...

I have the yellow top on my Jeep. When it comes time change out my battery in my truck, it will be the yellow top.

 

Yes that is true, and they are priced differently for those different uses, but inside they are the same.

What are the two different sets of ratings?

 

I'm probably going to pass on Motorcraft due to all the bad press here lately.

Motorcraft was the bomb ten years ago.

My gauges are pegging now so I'm due.
OEM Motorcraft Nine years/Seven months. I can't complain.

 

Yellow top is deep cycle battery for heavy draw use such as stereos, winches, lights and all the fun toys

Red top is a starter battery

Marine battery-well you should be able to figure that one out

Anyways Not much better than an optima battery. If its a stock truck without much power draw tell him to get red top, if he has lots of toys pulling power then go for the yellow top.

Here we go-straight from optima's website
http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/

 

Optima batteries are overated...and very overpriced.


I ran offroad lights, a 9,500 lb Warn winch and had 0 problems on my stocker Motorcraft battery.


on another truck with the same stuff, I ran a Interstate battery that was just as good. people get sold on all the little widgets and gadgets.

 

The yellow optima is nice because it has a longer hold. Before I had the optima my lights would dim if my subs hit hard enough, after no dimming. I can also leave my music on and loud for about an hour without any problems (See sig for specs). The optima is well worth it in my opinion.

 

Blue top is for starting boat engines, not for deep cycle use. I'm not sure about the blue top, I only asked about the red and yellow.

Two years ago the Optima reps were in town so I talked to them about the design differences between the red and yellow tops. Their answer was there is no difference. You are paying for the warranty of the application your using it for. Stereos and winches are hard on batteries, so the warranty for that application costs a little more.