mspost

Hi!

I have a simple question:

What size Battery do I need for my 74 D100 Truck?

I need to buy a new Battery and I do not have access to the truck right now, otherwise I would just go look at the current battery.

Thanks so much!

MrOldart2U

If its basically using OEM cable lengths, I would use the biggest Group-25 Battery that will fit in the tray. And by "biggest" I am talking about CCA.... Was no engine details given so have no idea what the stock recommended replacement is. Engine size does matter. A LOOSE rule of thumb is the CCA needs to be @ least the same as engine size in C.I. I try to dbl the cca-v-ci or as close as i can.... IE: a 225 slant calls for as low as 450 CCA battery. Remember Group no's are Physical Sizes and placements of the posts on top of battery.

Mr.4spd

Yeah, you could get anywhere from a 225 to a 440 in these. That's crazy, can you imagine that these days?

mikerp76

according to the autozone website a 24 series will also fit in your truck.

440roadrunner

The original battery for those would have been a "group 24". That specifies the size of "the box" and the terminal configuration, NOT to be confused with a "Ford" group 24F which means it has different clamp flanges on the base, and the posts are reversed end for end.

WITHIN that so called "group 24" is a VAST range of price, guarantee, cranking amps, etc. I used to tell people to "buy a battery by weight" because all a guarantee means is that someone put a sticker on the battery. So called cranking amp ratings CAN also be a "big lie." Here again, those numbers mean "somebody" reached "into a bin" and pasted a sticker on the battery.

Last, "generally" you get what you pay for.

But you don't need to ask for ANY specific "battery size." A good salesman can look up the truck by application. Some cars and trucks have an oversize battery tray, and will accept either a group 24 or group 27, which, generally is a better battery.

mikerp76

the only difference between a 24 and a 24f is the post configurations. they are opposite of one another. also theyt are a little cheaper than a 25 series battery. and have more cranking amps.

440roadrunner

No, that is NOT the only difference. The 24F has a different base clamp arrangement for the ford hold down clamps

Like this:

http://www.early-mustang.com/charles...00_1040_rs.JPG

Some of these Ferd batteries are wide enough at the bottom clamp that they do not sit "right" in a Mopar/ GM battery box

mikerp76

i guess that depends on the manufacture of the battery. i know that teh duaralast 24 and 24f batteries use the same case with the only difference is thelocation of the terminals. and it usually depends on what year ford we are talking aboout. most fords now use a group 58,59 or 65 series battery. but i will take a look at my batteries when i go to work tomorrow and see if they still have different type of hold downs on the ends.