musty ruffler

I've got an '06 v6, stock, with Shaker 1000. The alternator died and took the battery with it. New 250 amp alternator is going in tomorrow, have an Optima 75-25 in my project truck I was thinking about swapping in...

Optima & Jegs websites say that our car wants a group 35 or 34R, but as far as I can tell the only difference is that the 75-25 is 2 pounds lighter and has both top and sidepost terminals... same CCA & reserve. Those websites also say I could use the 35 or 34 in the truck, but not the other way 'round. Any idea why? Any reason not to use it?

musty ruffler

200 views and no responses?

Thought y'all would discuss anything here, there are literally hundreds of threads on cold air intakes- which are basically just lengths of dryer vent and take 10 minutes to install.

MustangFirstCar

Well be patient man. No one is on yet. Everyone either has school or jobs, or both. Plus, some of us party on Friday, so we aren't on the forums then either. Don't worry though, it is like almost 3:30, people should be coming soon. I don't know how this got 200 views though.

I'd help, but I have no clue, and wouldn't want to steer you in the wrong direction.

157dB

Nope, too tall and the top posts will touch the hood when it is closed.
A 35 or a 34R barely fits as is...

Search "optima size" in the forums S197 section.
https://mustangforums.com/forum/4-6l...p-battery.html

musty ruffler

In case anyone cares, I put in the 75-25 to get home and it fit, but only barely and not safely enough to trust daily. I only felt comfortable doing it after picking up a plastic positive terminal cover. The battery case itself is the same height as the 34, but the posts extend slightly higher.

I bought an aftermarket battery tray for $5, since the Ford one has its "floor" raised about 1.25" above the metal mounting points. Now it fits perfectly with room to spare. Right now the tray is in with the two short stock screws, tomorrow I'm going to make a support to replace the longer section.

Disclaimer: YMMV, electricity is dangerous, don't blow yourself up, etc.

Sungod067

Hey Mutry Ruffler, do you remember where you got your $5 battery tray. I have a yellow top Optima, and need a lower tray as well since the battery keeps hitting my hood. Thanks!!

musty ruffler

Wow, blast from the past! Think the tray came from Autozone. I had to make a support leg for the side closer to the engine, did it out of aluminum bent into a "C" shape using a vise, bolted into the new tray and the factory mounting location. Over time, the aluminum bent and the battery started jiggling when I hit bumps- not enough to cause problems, but an annoying noise.

I've been meaning to do it over and will do the same thing only using steel bar stock and bending it into a squared-off "O" shape with overlaps on one side.

Eventually I'll relocate the battery to the trunk, but that's low priority.

05REDAUTO

Optima moved their manufacturing to Mexico, I would not use one.

traxiii

Yep, My last two Optima's lasted less than 2 years each. I had 3 of them, two in my F150 and one in my Mustang. I now have one in the F1, and will replace it with something else when it dies.

PalmTrees

My advice - Ditch the optima battery - This is not the first time I have heard of this or seen the exact same issue with charging systems and optima batteries in s197 v6 mustangs. I work on cars for a living. first saw this issue come up about 6 years ago.