Notices
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Optima Battery in 3rd Gen 4Runner

Old 12-31-2004, 10:24 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Sparman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Optima Battery in 3rd Gen 4Runner

I need to buy a new battery and would like to go with an Optima.

Can anyone with experience let me know how the fit is?

I know they have an unusual footprint.

Thanks,

Curt

Last edited by Sparman; 12-31-2004 at 10:25 AM.
Old 12-31-2004, 10:48 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
data's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mine fit w\o any probs. I have a red top.
Old 12-31-2004, 11:05 AM
  #3  
Contributing Member
 
SkyRat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I purchased a red top and there are minor issues. All are easily solved.
I needed to bend the hold down bracket (mine came without the spacer), and some of the cables to the positive are pretty tight. Some slight re-routing can solve it all.
Old 12-31-2004, 11:30 AM
  #4  
Contributing Member
 
Noliwan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Jose,CA
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd go for the Optima Red Top 34R-- This will save you some hassles with extending your cables-- be sure to get the spacer also which is free from Optima--Just call or e-mail them--got mine within a week-- this will make the battery fit in your compartment perfectly...

You can see the spacer at the bottom of battery here... perfect fit...


Last edited by Noliwan; 12-31-2004 at 11:33 AM.
Old 12-31-2004, 11:47 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
02SE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a Yellow top. I did extend my cables, but I have had no problems in 7 years. This is in a '97 4Runner.
Old 12-31-2004, 12:29 PM
  #6  
Contributing Member
 
leebee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: marlbank, canada
Posts: 2,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
is the doctor in?

Originally Posted by Noliwan
I'd go for the Optima Red Top 34R-- This will save you some hassles with extending your cables-- be sure to get the spacer also which is free from Optima--Just call or e-mail them--got mine within a week-- this will make the battery fit in your compartment perfectly...

You can see the spacer at the bottom of battery here... perfect fit...

hey noliwan!

what time is dinner served?! that engine compartment is spotless. as for the spacer, it was included when i bought my red top. took it apart and it clipped on the bottom of the battery case. the positive cable was a bit tight, i had to replace the small ground wire from the neg to the body as the old battery had shifted and tore it away. 1/2 banana job.

lee
Old 12-31-2004, 12:40 PM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Sparman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone.

I'm headed to Costco to grab a red top.

Happy New Year!
Old 12-31-2004, 02:12 PM
  #8  
Contributing Member
 
its2slo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: portland oregon
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ahh, i think costco only caries 75/35 red tops but at the $100 price it might be worth a couple mods to make your harness fit. anything is better than a leaky battery but if you dont want to cut a couple wires you might just want the 34r. good luck. (my 75/35 works great)
Old 12-31-2004, 02:15 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
Bigblock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: So MS
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hold down? spacer? in the south, we just use a bunjee strap. lol
Old 01-01-2005, 06:00 AM
  #10  
Contributing Member
 
leebee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: marlbank, canada
Posts: 2,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
check walmart

Originally Posted by Sparman
Thanks everyone.

I'm headed to Costco to grab a red top.

Happy New Year!
you may want to check walmart before you buy at costco. they had the 1k & 910 red top for the same price as the base battery at costco.

lee
Old 01-01-2005, 09:04 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
midiwall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattleish, WA
Posts: 9,048
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by leebee
you may want to check walmart before you buy at costco. they had the 1k & 910 red top for the same price as the base battery at costco.
Yeup, and if you have GI Joe's down there, then they're worth a look. $119 for the big red.
Old 01-01-2005, 10:12 AM
  #12  
Registered User
 
Zachariah1023's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: phenix city al
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My battery cables are held fit witha 9 mm casing.
Old 01-01-2005, 11:47 AM
  #13  
Contributing Member
 
Fink's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 9,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I cut up a 2x4 and made little blocks for the hold down strap to snug up to...its worked fine for almost a year now!

Fink
Old 01-01-2005, 06:06 PM
  #14  
Contributing Member
 
Mad Chemist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I used a couple pieces of 1/4" plywood to make a spacer for my redtop.
Old 03-19-2005, 09:51 PM
  #15  
Contributing Member
 
calrockx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Santa Clarita, California
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So the red top model to get for the 3rd gen 4runner is the 34R, but which model yellow top is the right one to get?

i'm thinking i should go yellow to support aux lights, and a future inverter + winch.
Old 03-20-2005, 04:26 AM
  #16  
Registered User
 
p1michaud's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thumbs up Other options

Originally Posted by Sparman
I need to buy a new battery and would like to go with an Optima. Can anyone with experience let me know how the fit is?
Just so you know there are other options:
You can use an Optima Red Top 34/78 and modify the battery holder and cables like THIS .

or just lay the battery on it's side like THIS .

Just a word of caution, be careful using wood or other similar material as a spacer. Baja Taco said this during one of our discussions: " I know of people who have tried this with disastrous results. Vibration will work anything like that loose."

Cheers ,
P
Old 03-20-2005, 07:12 AM
  #17  
Contributing Member
iTrader: (3)
 
dragr1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Auburn, AL
Posts: 3,707
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I've got the red top and it fit no problem, but the cable will be a stretch to get it on.
Old 10-02-2005, 11:48 AM
  #18  
Registered User
 
xcmountain80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Turned mine sideways and used the spacer....

Aaron
Old 10-02-2005, 01:08 PM
  #19  
Registered User
 
4runner4middie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
good luck with finding oue at costco, my local store doesnt carry optima, just costco brand... i have to head over to batteries plus tomorrow to get mine.
Old 10-02-2005, 01:42 PM
  #20  
Registered User
 
TACOMANATOR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I purchased mine at Batteries Plus a few days ago for $119. They had the spacer in the back and gave it to me at no charge. 34R and a perfect fit.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Optima Battery in 3rd Gen 4Runner



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:21 AM.