Help picking out new battery - new cold environment

Hi all,
Been away for a while and was wondering if you guys could help with suggestions. Short story used to live in Texas where I bought my 2016 SR5. Currently running mostly stock. Added ditch lights and a light bar which ran directly from the battery worked well thru our the summer/fall. Currently in Wisconsin and started having issues with the battery. Battery is from 2/2018, toyota battery install by dealer (2nd battery, since stock was changed at some point in 2018). I did drain it by mistake a few months ago by using the air compressor with just the car turned off. But ever since the battery has seemed weak and now died twice. Car does sit outside for now as we just moved in to a new home and the garage is full of boxes plus the Mrs. car. looking to replace with a good battery.
Looked at optima red top but reviews on Amazon and such are not great (mostly lasting one year and crappy warranty issues),
My other choice and the one I am thinking of going with is odyssey, which I learned is rebranded diehard (parents used to use when I lived in Michigan).

I am wondering if that would be the best choice and if so what model do you all recommend? I would like it to fit without modifications other then the booster holder. Any other batteries I should consider? I am willing to spend around the cost of the odyssey which is around $300

thanks in advance!

 

After watching this I'm leaning towards Walmart batteries;
https://youtu.be/h7rTcBanpMk

 

Best of the best is Odyssey and Northstar; if you have a Batteries Plus near you, they sell Northstar's branded as X2 Power. If you do go AGM, would also recommend a voltage boosting fuse as well; will help the alternator put out a little extra charging voltage. (It's just a fuse with a diode attached that replaces your alternator fuse in the fuse box under the hood).

 

I like to go AGM as well and interested in Northstar ones. Not sure what sizes fit with stock battery tray and top fitting?

Do you have the link for part number for that fuse/diode thing for regular to AGM conversion?

 

I’ve never heard anything negative about odyssey before; and never had any issues with them myself. I know optima batteries used to be great, but then they moved production and cut costs, and are no longer held in high regard.

Here’s one example of the voltage booster: https://www.dirtyparts.com/store/detail.cfm/ALTERNATOR-VOLTAGE-BOOSTER-TOYOTA/pid-161838

If you google 4runner voltage booster fuse, should be able to find some other options. There’s a couple slightly more fancy ones with selectable boost levels.

 

That was mistaken with Optima. I tried to edit before you see it, but you are fast..

 

This is a very good thread! We have 3 vehicles and other equipment that require lawn or larger batteries.
This is good knowledge for everyone. I do wish that he had tested Interstate batteries...
I need 2 new batteries for my 1994 Ram diesel and this is some good information!
Thanks,
Ryan

 

the 4runners use battery power all the time.. I use my runner 2 days a week because of the CCP virus... so I put my charger on it before I run it... takes 4 hours to charge it ..
my 1996 chev Impala I charge it after a couple of weeks takes one hour LOL...
the runner cranks 3 rotations then it starts .. my Impala I turn the key 1 sec starts fast...
I was watching dirty harry clint eastwood movies the 1970's vehicles in the movies started in a micro second..

 

Welcome to Wisconsin @LORDxGORDO !

 

There aren’t many different standard lead-acid battery manufacturers. They just put on different labels. I get mine from Costco which I believe are Interstate. Note that you’ll be lucky to get 5 years from a well maintained battery. Less if it’s deep cycled a lot or you live in extreme hot or cold.

 

So ended up picking up the Max ever start from Walmart. Was looking for the agm one but Walmart’s 200 miles around me don’t have them in stock. At 98 bucks not a bad deal. I figured I’d give it a try and see how it goes. If it’s crappy and gives me less the 2 years then I will go odyessy but if I can get 2-3 years with no big issues then I might just go with it and replace. I can get 3 of these for one odyessy battery. Next task will be to install it. Was going to do it this weekend but it seems that temps will be -1

 

Just bought a Everstart AGM battery from Walmart for 148 with no core fee. Picking it up later today. Was hard to find one in stock.

 

I also get costco batteries .. they last for 7yrs.. then they loose power after the 7yrs. 40 yrs ago die hard batteries died quickly .. that is why I got costco .
AGM batteries need a high voltage charge. if someone uses a AGM use a computer charger that will keep the expensive AGM last a long time.. cost is $300.. Odyssey agm battery

 

I've seen videos / posts claiming that little fuse/diode @kbp810 mentioned on this thread works well when converting regular battery to AGM. I've seen one video the guy use a GM part with little mod on Toyota, it was similar fuse/diode thing.

 

yes the older runners did modify the increase in voltage with this diode ...but I was having some info on the 2020 toyota vehicles that might not work , to increase the voltage......
I have a scan tool on my runner . I can get the exact voltage .. volts drop when hot and it is 13.3 volts.. scan tool also shows transmission temps/MPG/eng temp... I use lead acid batteries.. many that go off road do use AGM and have a solar panel on the roof...

https://www.dirtyparts.com/store/detail.cfm/ALTERNATOR-VOLTAGE-BOOSTER-TOYOTA/pid-161838

 

I went the X2 Power myself and went with the 27F. I ordered the larger battery tray from Toyota to fit it and have had no issues at all.

 

Installed the everstart battery and did the little kit to avoid corrosion. All together about $110. Pretty easy swap out (first time I did the battery myself), about 15 minutes. Started right up with no struggle. Drove it last night and it did fine. We will see how it does as it is current in the negatives today. Will wait until after winter to hook up my ditch and pod lights and will hold off on rear pod lights until summer. Don’t want to be stuck again with a dead battery.

 

Can someone explain the whole voltage booster thing? Or have a good article?

This is the first I'm ever hearing of it.

 

Appreciate that! I was always under the assumption that starting and deep cycle batteries were different, and that you can purchase lead-acid and AGM batteries in each flavor. The AGM battery I bought was advertised as a starting battery so again I'm under the assumption that I don't need a voltage booster.

Alternatively I do have a battery tender advertised as compatible with AGM batteries that I could easily hook up. Plus I already have it so I don't have to spend an additional $65 bucks.

Sorry for the thread hijack OP