Latest battery recommendations


GTdrummer

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Mar 13, 2010
2,132
Richmond Virginia
I have searched the forums, but I want to make sure I’m current on battery recommendations for the 05-06. I gather not many manufacturers are still making series 25. At one time , I believe the the battery of choice was Odyessey. Lately , I gather folks were going to Optima which I thought had gone to sh#t after being sold years ago. So what are people currently installing? Thanks
 
Optima
 
The 25 series is listed at Jeggs, Summit , and Amazon @ $ 250 . My 06 currently has one from previous owner so its at least 6 - 7 years old. Maintainer is a must. Replacement 25 is in the box delivered Saturday . My vintage race car has one with total loss electrics IE no generator. Last one went 3 + years and crapped out. They offer a 3 year warranty so guess what? SOL ! My Morgan plus 8 has an Odyssey gell , last one went 12 years ! Probably a better battery.
 
Around us here in CA, the local Orielly's usually has them in stock.
 
AutoZone. Usually in stock. Sticker shock ordering from Ford at $640, and no delivery date.
 
The Ford battery is a re-labeled Optima. O'Reilly and Autozone both had them in stock. When I got mine the O'Reilly was about $10 cheaper.
 
So if I’m reading this correctly, odyssey is out of the game. I had great luck with them in 3 GTs.
 
I just replaced last month my Optima battery after only 2.5 years using a maintainer. Good news is it had a 3-year warrantee, so it was replaced for free. I would not buy another Optima.

The best luck I've had is when I used a Deka AGM part number 9A35/85 that lasted over 8 years. The Deka battery is easier and safer to install than the Optima because the Deka battery posts are not located under the car framework which has the potential for shorting the battery during installation. Make sure you get the Deka battery with the poles reversed so the terminals are not under the frame as shown in the below photo. Unfortunately, the Deka wasn't readily available during my last purchase, and I gambled on an Optima, even though it had a lot of bad reviews, and it lasted only 2.5 years. Bad gamble on my part.

1610761644546.png
 
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After re read I would still support Odessey even though I went with other brand , Have not checked current price , or throw $ 250 at 3 year battery and order another in 3 years
 
I bought an Optima from my Ford parts department about 5 years ago. GT branded, still working fine.
 
I still have my sears diehard replaced ? 8yrs ago. Replaced it after tach went. Still running well, i know I should probably replace it ( no longer available) but concerned about cheap replacement. What is best way to check health of a battery?
 
I still have my sears diehard replaced ? 8yrs ago. Replaced it after tach went. Still running well, i know I should probably replace it ( no longer available) but concerned about cheap replacement. What is best way to check health of a battery?
Take it to Autozone or Advanced Auto or... and have them do a load test.
 
Odyssey no longer make a size 25. Size 35 are too big.

Optima quality is not what it used to be, but they still make group 25.
 
Odyssey no longer make a size 25. Size 35 are too big.

Optima quality is not what it used to be, but they still make group 25.
I may be missing something but Odyssey seems to be making an ODP-AGM25 they say is compatibale with the 25--PC 1400 T
 
I may be missing something but Odyssey seems to be making an ODP-AGM25 they say is compatibale with the 25--PC 1400 T

Can you provide a link for that?

Every time I tried to buy one, it was either officially discontinued or on “back order”.
 
Here is is from the company itself .
 

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Here is is from the company itself .

Understood, but try buying one.

I tried a couple months ago and gave up.
 
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I bought mine directly from the company and John says it will ship today with 30 in stock. There is a proviso. When they changed it the cranking number is marginally lower at 770 with first 5 seconds at 1200–overkill. He admitted bias but said you could not put a better battery in our cars. Hope this puts this to rest. Good luck.
 
I bought mine directly from the company and John says it will ship today with 30 in stock. There is a proviso. When they changed it the cranking number is marginally lower at 770 with first 5 seconds at 1200–overkill. He admitted bias but said you could not put a better battery in our cars. Hope this puts this to rest. Good luck.

Good info. Price? Thanks.
 
Does the 50lb weight concern you?

Edit, the ODP-AGM25 is 46 pounds