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

 

Mine fit w\o any probs. I have a red top.

 

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.

 

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...

 

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.

 

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

 

Thanks everyone.

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

Happy New Year!

 

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)

 

hold down? spacer? in the south, we just use a bunjee strap. lol

 

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

 

Yeup, and if you have GI Joe's down there, then they're worth a look. $119 for the big red.

 

My battery cables are held fit witha 9 mm casing.

 

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

 

I used a couple pieces of 1/4" plywood to make a spacer for my redtop.

 

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.

 

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

 

I've got the red top and it fit no problem, but the cable will be a stretch to get it on.

 

Turned mine sideways and used the spacer....

Aaron

 

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.

 

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.