What is the best battery

[shortbed]

My Duralast 'Silver' from Auto Zone has lasted 6 years in my 78 150 straight six, but is tired out. What do you all think is the best battery. I've been looking at the CarQuests models and some seem to like the DieHard, but as it is $100 bucks is my limit . . . I'm not going for top of the line.
I do prefer to have the 'NON' maintanence free tops that I check myself. Otherwise a good return and warrenty are nice features.

 

[Dirky]

I'm a fan of Interstate stuff. Good quality, but they are a tad expensive... Other than that all I've used is OEM Motorcraft and Honda batterys with good results..

 

[smokey]

Interstate are ok. Have had terrible luck with excide batteries bad cell and internal shorts.

 

[clutch]

so I take it you do not want another Duralast? Consumer reports rated them well a few years ago, I put one of the gold tops in my Ranger 4 years ago, still going, knock on wood, 4 yrs is what I got out of the oem battery.

 

[shortbed]

No I don't have anything against the Duralast. I'm leaning that way, but I have this thing about checking around before buying things. I like to feel I've made the right choice, you know. I've had some rec. the Walmart brand, but I've heard horror stories about their crews and warranty and I do want the open top non maint free type.

 

[BuzzGun79]

Keep in mind the battery's cold cranking power..along with its reserve time..you want the most cranking power your dollar will buy..and the least number on the reserve.Never buy a sealed unit...Maintenance free Batteries that have caps sometimes will disapate over time,it is ok to top them off with distilled or plain water.

 

[5.0Flareside]

Oreilly's battery can't remember the rand but I'm told it's made by East Penn which is who makes deka batteries.. Which is a top tier battery company..

 

[Fellro]

There is only 2 or 3 actual battery manufacturers left, so I know the argument about "well they make the Interstate batteries" as well, because the same company that makes Interstate makes Duralast, but they also make a crapload other batteries as well. The difference is in how each brand specs the batteries. Duralst does pretty good, but like with anything, they do have failures as well. Be aware that many of the battery warranties are not what they once were. While I was still working at Autozone, the warranty went from 1-3 year free replacement with a prorated time after for 3-6 years, to just the free replacement time. There are still some but few with the prorated time period.

 

[LEB Ben]

Motorcraft are what I use. I've used the same MC in the Bronco since I've owned it, so it's about 5-6 years old...and I've killed that battery several times, and it's sat for months on end and will start. The OEM battery just died in the Lincoln, I'm assuming it was the original...if so, it lasted 4-5 years. Red just had an MC battery deemed unusable...but it sat connected for the last 2 years, and it was used for 4-5 years before that. My batteries are never really tied down either, so they're subjected to that too.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

I will give a positive testament to motorcraft batteries as well. They have a long life and are very reliable.

Ryan

 

[fatherdoug]

Motorcraft batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls, which also manufacture Duralast, DieHard, etc., etc.

As Roger says, it all depends on how they are spec'd.

 

[DNFXDLI]

The best battery?...that would be an AGM by either Concorde or East Penn.

 

[SuperCab]

Motorcraft are excellent batteries... I currently have EverStart (WalMart) batteries in both my trucks. For $75 or there abouts you can get the one with 3 year free replacement, which is a better deal than Auto Zone or O'Reillys. Their batteries are just prorated for 3 years with 1 year free replacement for the same price...

Interstate are also good, but expensive. DieHard are no better than EverStart in my experience and are more money... Dekka are good, but again, you pay more for it.

 

[Fellro]

Motorcraft are excellent batteries... I currently have EverStart (WalMart) batteries in both my trucks. For $75 or there abouts you can get the one with 3 year free replacement, which is a better deal than Auto Zone or O'Reillys. Their batteries are just prorated for 3 years with 1 year free replacement for the same price...

Interstate are also good, but expensive. DieHard are no better than EverStart in my experience and are more money... Dekka are good, but again, you pay more for it.

Not sure where you got that info, as it is incorrect. They have the same warranty, and there is no longer a prorated time. It is 1 year, 2 year, or 3 year free replacement times depending on which level you buy. I have gotten tired of neverstart batteries shorting out, seems a more regular occurance these days. My mom had to replace the Walmart Everstart gold in her car 2 times before the warranty ran out from back when they had the 7 year warranty, which was 3 free and the rest prorated. I have had others do the same. I tend to buy less from there these days due to their low-durability spec'ing. That is how you get the low prices from them.

Features & Benefits
Duralast Gold is engineered to deliver the maximum Cold Cranking Amps and Reserve Capacity ratings to meet or exceed your vehicle s original specifications. Even in extreme conditions, Duralast Gold is designed to give you the starting power you need, combined with robust construction for dependability and long life. Install it with confidence!

Maximum number of plates and grids to deliver the most power during start up
Specially designed paste to improve performance
Impact resistant polypropylene construction to reduce damage due to vibration
Best-in-Class vent caps for safe operation
3-Year free replacement warranty

 

[SuperCab]

I stand corrected.

 

[Mil1ion]

My suggestion : Get an EXIDE from a Battery shop that they have to put the acid in while you are there
Stay from long time shelved batteries with the acid in already

CAT Batteries are great for that as well

 

[Evan's f250]

I've recently been buying batteries at rural king farm stores. They're only $50 for 800 ca & exide makes them. The batteries I buy there are clearly marked by the month & year manufactured. They sell a lot of batteries there. Of the batteries I've bought, they were manufactured the same month that I purchased it! For $50 with exchange, you can't beat 'em. Can't even buy the cheapest Walmart battery for that.

 

[kiwi f150]

Interstate are ok. Have had terrible luck with excide batteries bad cell and internal shorts.

Excide is about all we get here - it just gets rebranded by the different wholesalers and they come with a 24 month warranty (we sell the "ultra" brand)..... from what my dad was selling over the last few years they seem to last 24 months and a few days then s**t themselves .
Best battery ivé ever had was/is an optima 800 cca and has been going in my diesel people mover van for 5 years and was used in the old mans beechcraft sundowner for 3 years before that...... pricey but well worth the $$$ spent in my opinion - the best he ever got out of one was ten years and that was the old red top version.

 

[Workin' Rig]

In my 77 I run the Advanced auto brand....the cheapest economy one, lol. It does good but on cold mornings it is a lil slow....but its never not started.

 

[1970Custom]

When I was working at the local Stealership they said there's only two battery companies making batteries anymore.

With that said I've had good and bad luck with most of them, AutoZone seems to be the best I've used. Another thing to note, I've got a reman in the Capri. Paid $35 for it and its lasted almost three years now and its sat for probably 3/4s of that time.