Battery Recommendation

[Greek]

My 2000 Chevy Silverado is going on to four years old and I would like to replace the battery before it fails unexpectedly. I was looking at the marine batteries, "Red Top" and "Yellow Top" at Pep Boys. Does anyone have any experience with these and will they fit in the allocated battery space of the truck? Thanks in advance.

[Mr Mojo]

I just picked up the Optima equivalent from NAPA. It's made by Exide, I got it for my vette and so far I like it.

 

But what I paid for it($100) I could have got the Optima for $9 more and it would have fit better.

 

There should be a number on top of the battery, just make sure the battery you get has the same group number.

 

I ended up with a Group 78 when I needed a Group 75.(That's why it didn't fit perfectly).

 

Oh and I've heard the Yellow Top is better if you are running a lot of electronics in the vehicle(big stereo etc).

[BlackSilver]

Be careful of marine batteries. While you may find some with nice high AH ratings, often the CCA rating is lower than batteries meant for automotive service. You could warp the plates trying to start a stiff cold V8 some winter morning.

[txchevy4ever]

Love my Optima Yellow top in my 2000 4x4 LT Tahoe. If you don't need the deep cycle capability though, the red top would work just fine.

[99silveradoz71]

Looking for a replacement in the same truck, just a 99. I've had AC Delco's in my last 2 vehicles + this one, but with all the talk about leaks, I may be leaning toward something else. Any thoughts? I've also heard of issues with the Optima red tops failing lately.

[AZ-Z71]

Red top here. Haven't heard about any failing but I keep an eye on it now since my regular battery did fail and what a mess that caused.

[BlackSilver]

Love my Optima Yellow top in my 2000 4x4 LT Tahoe. If you don't need the deep cycle capability though, the red top would work just fine.

I would NOT put a deep cycle battery in your truck. First, deep cycles aren't designed with the CCA demands of automotive starting in mind, and secondly your charging system (alternator, voltage regulator) are not designed with the needs of a deep cycle battery in mind. Recipe for an early failure of the expensive battery.

[Black02Silverado]

I think it is made for use in a vehicle even though it is a deep cycle.

 

This is what they say at Optima Yellow Top

[Ben]

Have optima red top. Cost $119 at PepBoys.

 

But rethinking this.

 

Costco has best 1,000 amp/hour battery for about $50 bucks. If the optima doesn't last twice as long (about 10 years), I'd be better off buying Costco lead acid...

 

Plus Costco now carries Optima for just under $100 bucks.

[txchevy4ever]

Love my Optima Yellow top in my 2000 4x4 LT Tahoe.  If you don't need the deep cycle capability though, the red top would work just fine.

I would NOT put a deep cycle battery in your truck. First, deep cycles aren't designed with the CCA demands of automotive starting in mind, and secondly your charging system (alternator, voltage regulator) are not designed with the needs of a deep cycle battery in mind. Recipe for an early failure of the expensive battery.

Actually, the yellow top is designed to work in your automobile with the factory altenator...