What battery size fits an '88 GW?

[Daddio]

It seems like such a simple question, doesn't it?

Today I picked up a battery from Wally World which should fit (according to the computer on the shelf), but when I got it home it didn't fit in the tray. :banghead:
This GW was without a battery when I bought it, so I can't just match the old one.

The battery I bought is a group 58.
Does anyone know right of the top of their head the correct size?
Also what is the largest battery that will fit?

Thanks

[vintagetrks]

Just checked at sears and for the DieHard battery in a wagoneer it is calling for a group 51. I've got one of the plus start batteries from sears it is a group 28 and is a little smaller than the trays full capasity,but it was only $50 and everyone that I've talked to says for the price they are good batteries. Someday I'll get the Optima.

[skinnyD]

I dont know much about this so I wont be much help to you.;)

But I have an Optima yellow top in my 88 gw. It did require the mounting kit. Looks sweet in there IMHO. LOL, its actually the nicest thing I have in it so far...hmm:D

[vintagetrks]

I dont know much about this so I wont be much help to you.;)

But I have an Optima yellow top in my 88 gw. It did require the mounting kit. Looks sweet in there IMHO. LOL, its actually the nicest thing I have in it so far...hmm:D

How many cold cranking amps does the yellow top put out. What type of kit did you have to get to mount it and why?

[skinnyD]

My battery says:

CA: 870
CCA: 750

The battery sits on the stock plate just fine and the kit includes brackets and bracket plates. I gave about $230 for it and mounting kit.

Why it needed the kit I dunno....I got it so I can add a light bar on the roof someday when $$$ aint so tight:D

[vintagetrks]

My battery says:

CA: 870
CCA: 750

The battery sits on the stock plate just fine and the kit includes brackets and bracket plates. I gave about $230 for it and mounting kit.

Why it needed the kit I dunno....I got it so I can add a light bar on the roof someday when $$$ aint so tight:D

Thanks for the info. I wanna get a yellow top but I'm in the same boat $$$ wise plus the waggy needs so many other little things to like an HEI, but the yellow top is in the works and like you it will be the coolest thing under my waggy's hood.

[skinnyD]

Nice:cool:

[COLOFIREMAN]

I use a Autozone Group 34DT. It has dual terminals and 900 CCA with a 5-year warranty. 8-years no problem that were not caused by me. I have them in almost everything but the wifes Grand Cherokee, she wanted a Optima Red top for her Jeep, gotta keep mama happy .:rolleyes: :D

[vintagetrks]

I use a Autozone Group 34DT. It has dual terminals and 900 CCA with a 5-year warranty. 8-years no problem that were not caused by me. I have them in almost everything but the wifes Grand Cherokee, she wanted a Optima Red top for her Jeep, gotta keep mama happy .:rolleyes: :D

Does the red top offer more CCA than the yellow top?

[Serious Johnson]

If an '88 is like my '83, there's an added bracket on the tray to force use of a small battery. I forget whether it's held on by a bolt or big rivet, but I had to take the tray out to get it off. Without the bracket, it fits a big (group 24?) battery.

S.J.

[COLOFIREMAN]

Does the red top offer more CCA than the yellow top?


No, just better at long draws. I've had alot of friends that have had to switch back to a Red top for the primary battery because it's not made to be charged all the time like a red top is. This is what the local Interstate rep, which is who owns Optima, told me:D

[vintagetrks]

No, just better at long draws. I've had alot of friends that have had to switch back to a Red top for the primary battery because it's not made to be charged all the time like a red top is. This is what the local Interstate rep, which is who owns Optima, told me:D
Cool thanks guess I'm gonna have to do some research on which will best serve my waggy. So do they all pretty carry the same CCA's?

[shaolinsifu]

first mistake was purchasing a wally world battery-worst i've ever seen "neverstart" brand...I broke down and put in a sweet interstate 700cca group 34 in mine...it has been awesome,best warranty around too!!

[andy d]

There are basicly 2 battery manufactures in the the US. Johnson Controls and Exide, Johnson makes a decent battery, I've never had any luck with Exide batteries.
Inter states, Duralast and Diehards are Johnson , Wally world Maxx batts are Exide.

[Mark Wilde]

Back to the original question....

My '90 takes a Group 58.
My '85 takes a Group 25.

I think they changed group sizes when they changed starters...was it 88 or 89? I can't remember, or recall what my old 88 took.

[jdaniel83]

I've had good luck with 3 different types of batteries: Interstate, Duralast, and Everstart. An Interstate lasted 10+ years on our '70 Wag, I had a Duralast Gold last 8 years on my '97 Chevy, and have a 6 year old Everstart on my '01 GMC so I think you could go with any of those and be ok.

Oh and we had to replace a Red-Top Optima on our '83 Wag after 2 years with an Interstate after the Optima crapped out. It was probably just a lemon of a battery, but for the money I'd say go with either Interstate, Duralast, or Everstart.

[COLOFIREMAN]

I've had good luck with 3 different types of batteries: Interstate, Duralast, and Everstart. An Interstate lasted 10+ years on our '70 Wag, I had a Duralast Gold last 8 years on my '97 Chevy, and have a 6 year old Everstart on my '01 GMC so I think you could go with any of those and be ok.

Oh and we had to replace a Red-Top Optima on our '83 Wag after 2 years with an Interstate after the Optima crapped out. It was probably just a lemon of a battery, but for the money I'd say go with either Interstate, Duralast, or Everstart.


I agree, unless your going to mount them in an odd place, I.E. under the body, I would just go for a "wet" battery. Even though only those two companies make the batteries, it's what the company ordering them how and what to put in them. I'm still a very strong supporter of the Autozone Duralast gold series 34DT for a FSJ.:thumbsup:

[Daddio]

Thanks for the responses.

I took back the series 58 and picked up a series 34, which fits perfectly in the tray. I suppose there is a chance the battery tray I have isn't original, but does look original. It was a nice bump up in cranking amps and it added another year to the warranty for only $10 more.

Maybe someday I'll be a big spender and get a Yellow Top.

[COLOFIREMAN]

Thanks for the responses.

I took back the series 58 and picked up a series 34, which fits perfectly in the tray. I suppose there is a chance the battery tray I have isn't original, but does look original. It was a nice bump up in cranking amps and it added another year to the warranty for only $10 more.

Maybe someday I'll be a big spender and get a Yellow Top.

ood Choice!!! As long as you keep the water level full I dont think you'll have a problem.:thumbsup:

[Ced]

Thanks for the responses.

I took back the series 58 and picked up a series 34, which fits perfectly in the tray. I suppose there is a chance the battery tray I have isn't original, but does look original. It was a nice bump up in cranking amps and it added another year to the warranty for only $10 more.

Maybe someday I'll be a big spender and get a Yellow Top.

Bought a group 58 this morning from the local Interstate Store. He checked that it was the right size for my 89GW. I paid $30 with 6 months warranty for the reconditioned battery.

[Danbert]

Sorry for the hi-jack...
Is there any way to revive a dead red top Optima? There was one in the Jeep when I got it and then it sat for a long time with no maintenance. Now the battery wont hold a charge.