I was wondering about the experience and opinion of the board members with their OEM batteries. How long did they last?

Mine is 60k miles (2 1/2 years) old, but I have a Red Optima waiting in the closet for the first sign of weakness.

------------------
My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
Split Fire Spark Plugs
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Performance Lift Lips
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck

 

Mine always crap out right after 3yrs or 36,000 miles! Seriously though....about 4-5 yrs is a good life expectancy.

 

I had mine for only 2 months before I went out and bought the biggest that would fit. I have a Champion battery in now, and keep a Optima spare in the rear cab. Not that I need it, but just for emergencies or if someone needs a jump.

 

I got 3 years and 2 months out of my stocker. I was surprised that it went that early. I had a Ranger for 5 and a half years and it still had the stock battery when I sold it.

 

I am still on the original battery. My truck a 97 will be 5 years old in April.

------------------
Dennis

 

I've been having some problems with the negative side, very corroded. After cleaning it everything went back to normal. But today it fail to start even with what looks like a good contact so later on the day I am taking some measurements and tests. If the battery doesn't look good it's gone for good right away.

Thanks for the replies. Let's see what other members have to say about it. It seems that OEM battery life may last anything between 3-5 years. Of course there may be a lot of variables for each case and there's always an exception to the rule.

 

Mine still has the original battery and the truck will be 5 years old in May.
Maybe they are putting 5yr. batteries instead of 3yr. batteries like they used to, but I expect it will be dead June 1 or the first really hot day we have. Usually a drastic change in temperature will kill them for some reason.

------------------
'97 F150 4.6L XL WHITE,FLEETSIDE R/C L/B, LEER SHELL W/FISHING POLE RACK, BED MAT,LIMMITED SLIP,245/75/16 DESERT DOGS ON POLISHED ALUM, WHEELS.
AIRAID, 3" CAT BACK OUT THE SIDE w/MAGNAFLOW MUFFER

 

The 95 I had stil had the original battery when I trded it in last november. Read my topic on help me asap!!!!!!!

------------------
1997 XLT Teal 4.6L Flareside 4x4. Automatic, Reg. cab, tinted windows, bug deflector, Dual exhaust, K&N Generation 2 air filter, BullDog keyless entry/remote start(installed myself), Custom 16" wheels, bedliner, Covercraft tonneau cover, electronic shift on the fly. Going to add headers.

 

Well, enough is enough and after some tests it shows that the battery was loosing its capacity of charging properly. Maybe it was going to last the three years (June 01) but too risky.

Out the OEM and in is the Optima Red Top . At the first start it seems like the truck was going to move even in park, speedy cranking.

King James: I read your post but wasn't sure of what to say. So if something comes to my mind I will let you know. In the meantime I am sure someone will be able to throw some light to help with your problem. Keep in touch.

------------------
My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
Split Fire Spark Plugs
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Performance Lift Lips
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck

[This message has been edited by JMTruck (edited 02-21-2001).]

 

97 f150, 154,000 miles. original battery

 

'97, 119,000 miles, 4.5 years old, still with the original battery. Starts like a champ every time, even at -23 F this morning. Is winter almost over yet?

I usually figure 5 years max, but I have never been happy with a replacement battery yet. They never seem to last as long or have as much oomph as the OEM battery.

------------------
1997 F150 XLT, Flareside , Moonlight Blue, 4x2, SC, Auto, 4.6L, 3:08's, Cargo Cover by Century, Penda bed liner, Blue Oval reciever hitch plug, Driver Design bug deflector, Monroe Reflex Shocks, 235/70/16 Firestone Wilderness AT's, sliding rear window, captain's chairs, Valvoline Durablend Oil, Purolator Pure One Oil Filter, 280 lbs. of traction sand (ahh, winter in the great white north! ), and 119,000 miles and counting!

 

I am surprised on how long all this batteries are lasting. The first truck I bought was in 1986 (a Mitsubishi Pick Up Trok) and the battery last only two years, maybe around 30k miles.

But this Ford OEM batteries rules!!!

------------------
My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
Optima Red Top Battery
Split Fire Spark Plugs
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Performance Lift Lips
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.
McGard Premium Wheel Locks

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck