Battery ?

[RangerRich104x4]

My 2010 4.0l Sport 4X4 I believe has it's original battery and I think it's slowly beginning to die.

I would like to replace it with something bigger, CA, CCA and reserve power

Whats the biggest, best battery I can use that will fit the stock location without to much customizing ?

 

[RonD]

I think you will use BCI Group 59 as far as size and terminal placement

So just find a battery to your liking in that size, group 59

CCA should have several numbers, i.e. CCA at 0degF 590, and CCA at 32degF 710, thats the same battery
So don't just look at the CCA numbers, you need to know what temperature that CCA number is for

After battery sits for a few hours/days:
New battery will have 12.8 volts
5 year old battery about 12.3 volts
When battery gets to 12.2 volts and under, it is time to find a battery sale, next cold morning you will get "click, click, click"

 

[adsm08]

Autocraft Gold batteries usually have a higher rating than the factory batteries. AGM batteries are often higher rated as well. I think Optima makes the only group 59 AGM though.

 

[4x4junkie]

"CCA" (cold cranking amps) ratings are always at 0°F.
"CA" or "MCA" (cranking amps/marine cranking amps) is @ 32°F.
"HCA" (hot cranking amps, a figure not seen as often) is @ 80°F.
"Reserve capacity" is how many minutes the battery can supply 25 amps (@ 80°F) before dropping to 10.5 volts.

Battery voltage is a function of charge level/state of health, it has little correlation with a battery's age. If the battery is badly sulfated, it will likely not hold it's voltage as well as a new or healthy battery, however an older, but healthy battery can still easily rest above 12.7V.
Regardless, if the battery is unable to remain above 12.6V 24 hours after a full charge, then at best it should be put on a desulfator for a few days... at worst, it needs replacing.


What is the reason for needing a larger battery?

 

[RangerRich104x4]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I figure since my battery needs replacement, why not replace it with something better.

I like the AGM batteries

 

[RangerRich104x4]

Anyone try using anything other than a Group 59 battery in their 2010 Ranger ?

I can't find a Group 59 AGM battery anywhere (Optima doesn't have a group 59)

 

[Mark_88]

I just read a bit on this "group" for batteries that I'd never heard of before (maybe I did...but forgot) and found this website that might help...

http://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm

It might also confuse you at first but it gets clearer as you know the layout...

What it appears to me is that a group is defined by the actual battery size and post arrangement (left hand/right hand positive and top/bottom posts). So you can use a similar sized battery either lager or smaller depending on available space, clearance height, and post arrangement.

Only one I'd caution you on is to make sure you don't use one that is too much taller than the original...for obvious reasons...like it might touch your hood and cause your system to melt down or if it is not secured properly it could bounce up and short out...

 

[RangerRich104x4]

I read in a F150 forum that a group 65 battery will work as well. According to batteryweb.com a group 65 battery has similar width and height but is 2" longer.

Anyone try a group 65 in a Ranger ?

 

[jeremysdad]

My 93's owner's manual specs a 65 for 4.0 trucks. So, there's that.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yeah Ford went to the group 59 in 1998 apparently (or maybe was it was '95?)

The 59 tray looks like it would need quite a bit of work to fit a 65 in there, though I wonder if you could somehow retrofit a tray from a '93 or '94 in there... ?

If you have the means, it wouldn't be difficult to fabricate a new tray, then you could easily fit a group 27 or a 31 in there.

And FWIW, if you're upsizing the battery (or adding a 2nd), IMO the benefits offered by an AGM battery diminish, if not disappear entirely. A good grp-65 flooded battery will likely have similar CCA ratings as a 59 AGM would otherwise have, with much greater reserve capacity, and a lower price tag.

 

[Curious Hound]

I put an Optima in my '93 last year. I will look tomorrow and see what model/size it is. It came with an adapter that snapped on the base of the battery so that the original hold-down (the little wedge&screw thingy) worked perfectly.

Unfortunately, something drained it down over the past 4 weeks while I was dealing with family emergency out of town. My AGM charger was supposed to arrive today. Hopefully it will revive the dead battery.

 

[Spott]

AGM batteries are extremely vulnerable to damage from overcharging or overdischarging. Because of this, they have a shorter useful life. They also supply less peak current than a flooded-cell battery.

Because of this, I find AGM batteries (or any sort of VRLA batteries) unsuitable for use as automotive starting batteries. They are much better suited for use as storage batteries.

 

[Curious Hound]

Here is at least one model of Optima that should fit if you decide to use Optima. There are good points and bad points about either type of battery. If AGM batteries weren't suitable for this application, I don't think Optima would be as successful as they are.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.

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[lil_Blue_Ford]

A 65 series does not fit in the battery trays of the 1998 and up. I haven't owned a 1993-1997 Ranger, so I can't speak to those. 65 series is just too long for the tray, if I remember correctly. My F-series trucks and my Bronco IIs fit 65 series which is nice not to have to play games trying to figure out what batteries fit.


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