Seems I am facing the same possibility here. My Red Top in the G is going on 8-years-old and it seems it is nearing EOL. Trying to decide if I want another Red Top or try the Interstate MTX-24F series. I am hearing too many complaints about Red Top's ever since production moved to Mexico. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Want to lift a boat anchor? Try lifting a 52# AGM battery out of the trunk of a Zed/4... That is a freaking PITA (well, your back, but...).

 

I believe this will be my 3rd battery in 13 years, and I just went with a 640 CCA from Interstate. I realize there are lighter batteries with a stronger CCA, but this has never been something I was interested in, so when the shop told me it was dying, I had them snag their last one on the shelf, and charged me $220 for it.

And I didn't install it last night... it's on my to-do list for today.

Are you saying I have to remove the window cowl too? Really?

 

Yes. The passenger-side window cowl has to be removed in order to lift the battery out of the tray.

 

Yes, just the left side. Takes a couple of tries to make sure it seats properly with the window.

I've always wanted to try a Red Top and am not afraid of manufacturing in MX as much of the semiconductor industry I'm in manufactures in the region. The fact that its alot lighter was just a bonus for my back :-)

 

All the newer Mexican-manufactured Red Tops I've had (3 or 4) have died at the 2 year or under mark. The last pre-mexico one I had in my Jeep lasted 8 years. In fact I still have it, sitting on my workbench to test lights and such.

 

I got the new battery in the car, but not without some issues.

First off, the new battery is about 1/2" less thick than the old one, which means that one side of the OEM tie-down is crushing on the arm and not the little 2" lip.

Also, there's a little white plastic bracket used for one of the push-clips on the trim over the battery. I broke it pulling the old battery out. So now the trim is a little floppy.

However, the car started right up, which was the whole point. I've got the trickle charger plugged in at the moment.

@ILM-NC G37S you're really good at identifying parts from diagrams, can you help me find that piece that I broke?

 

Snap a pic of what you need and I'll check into it. I'll be in the catalogs anyway...

 

@Rochester This little piece


If not, again, snap a pic and I'll go from there.

 

LOL, that's it! You're pretty freaking amazing.

Now where to buy it... looks like everywhere is $7.00 give or take, but more than the part price for shipping.

Concept Z has $6 shipping. Well OK then.

 

Glad I found it for you.

Unless it is something you need/ want now, I can add it to my order coming from Japan. There the bracket is $2.

Shipping rates in the US are absurd.

Best US seller that I've used in the past:
Infiniti of Orland Park

 

Thanks, but I shouldn't be d1cking around with best price on something so insignificant. I appreciate it, though.

Just ordered it through Concept Z. On one hand it's strange that a retailer would sell this, but on the other hand I bet it's very common to snap it and need a new one.

Also, apparently I still have like $250 credit in my PayPal account. I forgot all about that. Must be left over from my caliper project.

 

After 3 optimas not lasting through winter, I gave up bought the Canadian version of Harbor Freight (Canadian Tire) AGM battery and it has gone through one winter with no issues. Sad considering a yellowtop is close to $500 CAD now. On another random note, I just changed the battery in my dads QX50... I would not wish it upon my worst enemy to go through that...

 

I remember reading that Optima batteries are not good, seems people have a lot of issues with them from what I read over the years.

 

3 year warranty if you buy from and authorized reseller like Jegs.

 

Right - I actually bought through Amazon (shipped and sold by amazon) and they honored the warranty. But having to change batteries in an otherwise good condition car under 2 years was a deal killer.

Edited to add: Ensured it was an actual Optima Red-Top and not a clone/copy/knockoff.