Oversize Battery

[TheRangerSteve]

Anybody here run a bigger battery? Before I get rid of the old Explorer I was thinking of doing a battery swap. The Ex is rated at 850 CCA 1000 CA. I don't need the extra juice, but if I have it and it's free to do, why not....

[coyote kid]

I run a 950 CCA 1000 CA marine deep cycle battery in my 88 with no issues

[comanchedude]

It a good idea to run the largest battery you can ,it will provide more reserve capacity ,as well as crank amps.. I run a group 65, its the largest that will fit in my MJ.

[HOrnbrod]

It a good idea to run the largest battery you can ,it will provide more reserve capacity ,as well as crank amps.. I run a group 65, its the largest that will fit in my MJ.

 

This is true. The largest group battery that will bolt in using the original hardware and not interfere with hood clearance is a group 34 battery, as used in the 97 and up XJs. It's has about 20% more CCA than the stock group 58 series and requires no modifications. I'm not sure the group 65 battery will do that. But if it does, I'd like to know. 

[cruiser54]

Good to know. My MJ battery took a dump yesterday. I was wondering if the 34 would bolt right in...

[HOrnbrod]

Cruiser; just looked up the Group 65 and it is larger than the Group 34 battery. You might want to verify the group 65 measurements for an unmolested fit? Bigger is always better.  :yes:

 

Group... L................W................H

65..........12 1/16......7 1/2...........7 9/16

34..........10 1/4........6 13/16.......7 7/8

[snakedoc67]

I just replaced the PO's 3 yr old  650 CCA with a new group 34 850 CCA. Now i just need to secure the battery mount since the inner fender is rusted out from underneath it. 

[cruiser54]

Did the Group 34 Interstate swap today. 700 CCA. Bolts right in. Can't use the bracket from the front stud to the header panel. Who cares.

[GirsMJ86]

I've always used a group 34, even in my v6 rigs. I just use one of those black rubber bungies to hold it down since I've never had a factory bracket until my newest truck.

[HOrnbrod]

Did the Group 34 Interstate swap today. 700 CCA. Bolts right in. Can't use the bracket from the front stud to the header panel. Who cares.

 

Hmmm. The battery tray must be a bit lower in the HOs then. Reused the bracket and it fit well. It's sure not a critical piece though. 

[comanchedude]

yes the 65 battery is longer requierd me to trim the lip flat on the battery tray on the engine side, that was the only mod , now its close to my altanator (i relocated it to top of engine)... so if you have a/c it could run into the compressor? 

 

 

[AMCJeepMJ]

So, after re-reading this thread,a group 34 battery is able to use the OEM group 58 battery hold-down bar? Can anyone confirm?

[HOrnbrod]

So, after re-reading this thread,a group 34 battery is able to use the OEM group 58 battery hold-down bar? Can anyone confirm?

 

Yes, you can use the original hold-down bar.

 

[jimoshel]

I run the 34 DL in all my Jeeps except one '87 MJ. The AC line cuts across the battery tray and the bigger battery won't fit.

[Jeep Driver]

Local shop here sells Exide. Once the battery has set on a shelf for 3 months they take the labels off and sell them as 'seconds', $65.

 

Rated and tested at 1100 CCAs.

 

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[hick92]

 

So, after re-reading this thread,a group 34 battery is able to use the OEM group 58 battery hold-down bar? Can anyone confirm?

 

Yes, you can use the original hold-down bar.

 

Even tho I've seen this so many times I still can't get over how clean it is under there

[HOrnbrod]

 

 

So, after re-reading this thread,a group 34 battery is able to use the OEM group 58 battery hold-down bar? Can anyone confirm?

 

Yes, you can use the original hold-down bar.

 

Even tho I've seen this so many times I still can't get over how clean it is under there

 

^^  Old pic. It's much cleaner now.  :yes:   Too bad I don't keep the rest of my stuff clean, like the yard, the man cave, the garage, the deck, etc etc.

[hick92]

Well that just means you put you Jeep before all those

[HOrnbrod]

Well that just means you put you Jeep before all those

 

Enjoy it more too.  :thumbsup:

[hick92]

Can't wait till I get mine on the road but have been pondering trading it off

[TheRangerSteve]

Sold the explorer tonight, that battery was just way too big. I'm going to upgrade but I'll just have to find another source for a battery, I'll also put on something better on the alternator front as well.