89LX5pointO

I am planning on cleaning up the battery area of my 89 LX, and plan on buying an Optima Red Top battery, new stock battery tray, and new Negative and Positive stock cables. Did a search, and found some help but also found some confusion... I have learned that I will need a 34/78 series, and that's fine, but here are the questions that I've been left with...

1) Will I have to do some trimming on a new/stock tray?

2) If I buy new/stock battery cables, will they be too short?

...thanks for any feedback! I don't want to buy new/stock cables if they'll be too short. If they'll be too short, I may try to find some better/longer ones from the auto parts store. Just figured that stock ones would be a better, more proper fit..?

primetime5.0

it'll fit in the stock tray, I didn't need to buy new cables but mine had been replaced within the past few years

89LX5pointO

Ok, thanks for the info! Guess what I could do, is remove my stock battery, set the new Optima in its place, and then see if the wires seem to reach... Was the 34/78 (assuming that's the one you have) fit heightwise? Did you use the top or side posts?

primetime5.0

using top post, I bought the battery from american muscle I don't remember which one It was

frdmstng1986GT

I'd advise against the red top and look at a yellow top. I had a red top in my 88 full size Eddie Bauer bronco and it only lasted for 6 months. I replaced it with a yellow top and it was still working a year and a half after I got rid of it. I also just found out that optima moved its manufacturing facility from Colorado to Mexico. Might have some quality control issues now from what I have seen on a few other forums. Also if a optima ever goes dead on you you need either a special battery charger or you need to wire up a regular style battery in parallel with it to charge it due to the optima's low internal resistance.

89LX5pointO

Ok cool, thanks Primetime. And wow 86GT, didn't know that stuff...wonder if the quality is sh_t now..? Maybe I should consider other options...

AdderMk2

the quality IS **** now. run a regular battery. When I was working at the parts store (as a second job) I must have returned atleast 1-2 optimas a week, for being defective.

89LX5pointO

Wow...eye opening. Maybe I'll get a Motorcraft or just another normal one... Thanks for the heads-up!

primetime5.0

i've had mine over a year with no issues.

enix187

Duralast gold is the best battery I've ever used, had one in a truck that sits until its needed for over 7 years. If you're going to spend the money on new cables lookup a set of ssp cables