Need a new battery for my JK Wrangler

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TheGrayt1

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I need a new battery for my JK that has a bunch of aftermarket electronics like Amp steps, lights, subs, and amps. Kind of on a budget so do not want to go super high-end. Deciding between Sams Club Duracell batteries and a Napa Legend. What would you go with? Both are about the same price with discounts applied on the Napa one this weekend so price is not a deciding factor. What is the better battery or is there something else I should be looking at?


Sams Club battery https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-automotive-battery-group-size-34/prod3590251?xid=plp_product_2
2 Napa options that I can get 30% off on Saturday
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT7534
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT9834
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BATN9934RED If I wanted to go higher end...
 
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Maybe it's just me, but "Discount", "budget", or "low cost" are not terms that I typically associate with a reliable car battery.

I chose the Optima Yellow Top, along with a pair of clamps like these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2533807763...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

I actually used a set from Autozone that have this same design, minus the protective cover.

There are enough connections on these for all of the factory wires, along with an extra that I ran to terminal/bus bar/distribution block.

Regardless of which battery you choose, REPLACE BOTH FACTORY CLAMPS!
(Even if it isn't with the type I recommended above.)
 
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Are the clamps notoriously bad on the 07 JK? The reason why I was not looking to put a high end battery in there was bc I will probably sell of trade the Jeep in within the year.
 
As far as I know, the factory battery clamps on ALL JK models are 100% S H I T.

They loosen and rotate around the battery posts as the vehicle flexes.
Partly due to the short cable lengths, but mostly due to the really poor clamp design.

As they rotate, they gouge out a ring/groove around the post, reducing the contact area and effectively creating their own failure mode.

This is why I have become a staunch supporter of replacing the factory clamps.
 
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I will be replacing my clamps at some point in the not to distant future, but found that if they are not pushed down completely before tightening they will never properly lock down. The previous owner replaced the battery but didn't do this and the positive cable could be rotated around the post with the clamp nut as tight as it would go.

I tapped it down and re-tightened and it is stable at least for now...

I agree with @WestCoastDan though, terrible design that should not be relied upon...
 
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TheGrayt1 said:
I need a new battery for my JK that has a bunch of aftermarket electronics like Amp steps, lights, subs, and amps. Kind of on a budget so do not want to go super high-end. Deciding between Sams Club Duracell batteries and a Napa Legend. What would you go with? Both are about the same price with discounts applied on the Napa one this weekend so price is not a deciding factor. What is the better battery or is there something else I should be looking at?


Sams Club battery https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-automotive-battery-group-size-34/prod3590251?xid=plp_product_2
2 Napa options that I can get 30% off on Saturday
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT7534
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT9834
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BATN9934RED If I wanted to go higher end...
Click to expand...
I run the Napa Legend series w/dual post. I don’t have a huge amount of accessories but like the ability to run the winch on a dedicated post.
Three years with no issues. Fridge, interior lights, exterior lights and winch.
 
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FishFam JKU said:
I run the Napa Legend series w/dual post. I don’t have a huge amount of accessories but like the ability to run the winch on a dedicated post.
Three years with no issues. Fridge, interior lights, exterior lights and winch.
Click to expand...
Are you running the AGM or the standard one?
 
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TheGrayt1 said:
Also what do you think about these terminals? I have a lot of accesory wires so this seems good

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3145985553...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Or I could go with something like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/3348522542...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
Click to expand...
IMO, these options are just as terrible as the factory clamps due to the limited contact area between the clamp and the post.
Notice the only areas that actually contacting the post are the EDGE of the area circled below:
1699544785155.png

1699544861827.png


Cheap folded metal instead of a solid clamp like the one I posted previously.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which Jeep Wrangler JK Forum may be compensated.
WestCoastDan said:
IMO, these options are just as terrible as the factory clamps due to the limited contact area between the clamp and the post.
Notice the only areas that actually contacting the post are the EDGE of the area circled below:
View attachment 125510
View attachment 125511

Cheap folded metal instead of a solid clamp like the one I posted previously.
Click to expand...
Would you mind posting a pic of how yours look with the new terminal ends? Or link if it is already posted elsewhere... Thx!
 
These are the clamps that I used:
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-...US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:pdp&vehicleId=2871501

They also have a matching one for the negative post that I didn’t see listed.
IMG_4634.jpeg


I trimmed the terminal covers to make them fit around the post/clamp assembly as best as I could, but I would prefer to have an actual cover like the silver clamp I referenced earlier.

You can see the #8 wire (appears to be hanging down) that I ran to the circuit breaker and the distribution block on the other side of the engine compartment for all of my accessories.
 
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TheGrayt1 said:
Are the clamps notoriously bad on the 07 JK? The reason why I was not looking to put a high end battery in there was bc I will probably sell of trade the Jeep in within the year.
Click to expand...
Being a 07 owner , I still run my original clamps and have NEVER had a single issue. Die Hard batteries and she has never failed to start🍺🍺
 
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Well we have gone with a AGM from SAM’s and Costco, never had a problem. Plus we all carry a portable battery pack to jump if we need to do. I suppose part of it depends on what you do, we do day trips. But it you do a lot of overlanding / camping for extended days maybe that justifies something different.

All though I haven’t yet, it is a good idea to replace the battery clamps.
 
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JeepJeezy said:
I'm running Yellow Top with Vgate terminals.

View attachment 125518
Click to expand...
I bought a pair of these but haven't installed them yet. I thought they would be plug and play, but looks like I'll have to cut, strip, and crimp new terminals to the existing battery cables. Still debating if it's worth the effort since I haven't had any problems with my existing clamps.
 
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Dlcain said:
I bought a pair of these but haven't installed them yet. I thought they would be plug and play, but looks like I'll have to cut, strip, and crimp new terminals to the existing battery cables. Still debating if it's worth the effort since I haven't had any problems with my existing clamps.
Click to expand...
It was worth the effort for me. The terminals are worth every penny.
 
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