Optima battery replacement

[sully-NT]

I had a Optima Yellow top in my TJ, Lasted 2 years and packed it in cos of the heat under the hood. gets warm up here in Darwin and the Battery shop says that the Optimas really dont like the heat.

[Macca2801]

Originally Posted by 4wheeln

ahh yep... am sure its a JK and a 6 speed CRD and the original battery from new!!

Might have added up the years wrong but it is the legit battery.

I have read on lost jeep forum that people have upgraded to the yellow top as it has more grunt than the red top Optima which is rated as a starting battery.

Whats confusing is that Optima (from my research) have changed manufacturers, so the Optima Red top I have doesn't correspond to the current part number according to the Jeep dealership.

With the on-line Battery re-sellers $295- for a Red Top 34 or 34R (which one I am not sure but is 800 CCA and $399- for the D31A including delivery

Have been trying to find out which one going through the threads & EugeJK a year ago made this post:-
"Don’t blame Optima, blame Chrysler instead. As I mentioned on other posts, Chrysler OEM battery is a cheap knock-off of the genuine Optima D31A. The original D31A which is rated CCA900 and spec’ed up to 15.5V for alternator charge. It’s proven high reliability, has NSN and is extensively used by USAF in ground support equipment. The US DoD would never ever have assigned NSN for Chrysler shitty parts. D31A retails for $450 in Oz, at Battery Discounters in Adelaide for $370.

I bet CRD battery (04727475AC) costs under US$35 as a spare part in the US. BTW the 04727475AC was superceded by Mopar new part number BB31A950A. So, Chrysler in a way acknowledged by the new part, what crap its CRD battery was. "

But in pics of underbonnet JK CRD on the forum I've seen the Red top not the Yellow ... so is this the preferred aftermarket fit?

Really confused !!

Your red top may have been supplied as new from the dealer but it's not the battery supplied from Chrysler for the CRDs from new. Since CRD batteries have died hours after delivery, I'm guessing yours was dead and your dealer found one that would fit.
David has given you the replacement battery.
Matt

[4wheeln]

QUOTE=davidd;1256657]mate are you sure you have a jk diesel? the correct battery for the diesel is a yellow top optima. if you replace it by buying one from the dealer you will pay about $800 for a substandard battery there have been numerous threads about this. the wday to go is to buy from a battery shop a D 31 A. which has 900 CCA. it is the correct battery and will cost you a maximum of $450, a bit less if you shop around. and the battery is far better quality than the original and will last for a few more years. they are easy to get as they are made by goodyear.[/QUOTE]

[ David it only took 24hours to realise I'd got the prefix confused.... sorry to all who tried to sort me out!!!
Sorry too for crashing your forum.... I do really luv JK's and your a patient friendly bunch... it was nice visiting

Cheers & apologies to all...
Elle

[supersmalls]

Cant really go past this price, includes free shipping and some terminal lugs

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OPTIMA-BA...item4600bac348

I know its fleabay, but it still comes from a genuine shop in aus and still has the 3 year warranty

[Jeeps]

I'd be getting something other than an Optima... you know, like something decent

Cheers

[GoFast]

As Sully-NT said, in Darwin even normal cars have trouble with batterys but JK's run stupid hot under the bonnet. I know a few mechanic's up here now and they won't fit Optima Batt's to a jeep, so went to Battery world just to see and same deal, WILL NOT FIT THEM to your JK Jeep, they can explode from the heat.
Sorry don't have the answer but hope the info helps.

[Jeeps]

Maybe have a look at those green Amaron batteries, they're supposed to be very tough. I heard they're made by the same mob that owns optimas, but the amarons are more rugged.

Cheers