Did a search and found some info but not all for my '04 FX4 5.4:

1. What size is our stock battery and/or what's the biggest size that will fit in the stock tray and hold down? 65? I know stock CCA is 650 and I'm looking to go as high as I can find/afford.

2. Does anyone actually use a memory saver for the PCM when disconnecting a battery?

3. I'm torn between a Die Hard Platinum and an Interstate Megatron Plus.

But I noticed some of the interstate's are more designed for cold weather, and some more for hot. I live just outside Chicago and we have very hot and very cold throughout the year! I would lean towards getting the one that starts best in cold weather, but does that mean I could have issues when it's boiling outside? Does it even make a difference?

I want to get that sucker in before it's too late!

Thank you!

 

My '05 only had a 540cca battery in it.


1) As long as it is from the proper series/type of battery, any CCA battery will fit.

2) Never heard of a memory saver for the PCM

3) Many on here rave about the Die Hard Platinums. The Deka made Oreilly AGM batteries are pretty good too. Not familiar with Interstates offerings.

 

thanks for responding dewalt.

As for the size, I meant the actual dimensions of the battery:HxWxL

And as far as the memory saver, it's basically just something to use while the battery is disconnected, so your PCM doesn't have to re learn things, like idling values and stuff for emissions, stuff like that.
I had my battery disconnected when I put in my CAI and the truck ran kinda funky and the engine light came on a few times after I put it in. It was like it had to relearn how to run with the extra air coming in now.

It wasn't a huge deal, and it made it through. It's just with it starting to get REAL cold here, I'd like to avoid any possible altercation. =)

 

Your truck will take a 65 series, if it was mine and had the cash go with the Sears Diehard Platinum (re-badged Odyssey) about as good as you can get. If you have one, just hook up a charger (or trickle charger) on the cables when changing and it will save all the memory settings. All I have ever done is just unhook and change the Batt. and let the PCM re-set itself.

 

Thanks Sam, that's what I thought but it was hard to pinpoint it exactly by the threads I was reading.

I'm searching for Die Hard Platinums and man, those suckers are expensive, but I don't mind paying for a quality, durable item.

 

Yes, they are expensive, but worth it IMHO. Ihave an Odessy in mine (65 series) paid damn near $300 for it, that was four years ago now and my climate isn't that much different from yours. The truck may sit for a week at a time in this weather and will crank like summer.....Love it !!

 

Ok, I think I'm going with the Die Hard Platinum. With tax here, it looks like $210 out the door.

The only thing that bothers me is that there are tons of stories about a few people having issues with them, (Die Hards in general, not just platinum's), and Sears refusing to honor the warranty.

I'm stoked. I love getting new stuff for the truck, no matter what it is!

 

Just a little info....the Sears Die Hard in of itself is made by Johnson Controls....NOT a good mfg. EnerSys Mfg builds the Odyssey and the Sears Diehard Platinum only..hence the difference in quality. I have heard about the warranty thing and don't understand it myself. If you ever do have a problem I would contact EnerSys Mfg by phone or E-Mail. I think you will be happy with the Platinum though...post back how it goes.

 

Love my mtp-65 so far. Cranks instantly and this morning was 3*

I paid 130 so I'll take that over 200+ right now. 4-5 years and you get months worth imo

 

IF you have a Costco in your area, they sell a 850 CCA (only one they sell for it, the heaviest) for under $100. I am NOT suggesting it because it's a fantastic battery (it's made by Johnson Controls) but rather because they are so easy to deal with. If it goes bad, they don't even test it, just take your word for it. They also give whatever they owe you back in cash, you don't even have to buy another of their batteries. I don't know anyone else that deals like that. Otherwise I would suggest missing a few Starbucks $5. la-tee's and springing for the Sears Platinum. Remember to take care of whatever you buy and it will take care of you.

 

Best bang for the buck is a kirkland....

But I love the diehard platinums....

 

I've been running the Wally World EverStart batteries and never had any issues. Sure, I could buy the Sears Platinum/Optima/etc batteries for 2-3X's the cost, but it doesn't really give me anything tangible in return. I normally get 5-6 years out of them, so I can buy two of them come out ahead of the dry cells. Not saying that the dry cells aren't good batteries (they are), but on a dollar-value basis, I don't see the benefit.

 

I always ran those up until a few years ago myself. Never let me down.

 

haha I don't go to Starbucks and I wouldn't buy it if I couldn't afford it. And there's actually a Costco very close, I go there all the time and I called them about the batteries since I saw them in other posts and they said they don't sell them at that location and haven't in years. I found that quite odd, so I I went with the Die Hard. I'm not saying I would've bought them for sure, but I wanted to at least look at the specs on the selection they had, which turned out to be none.

I'm picking up the Platinum this afternoon. Thanks for the input.

 

You should have many years of trouble free service from the Platinum.