Diesel Batteries---$150-$200 . . . X2---ouch!!

[otrfun]

Yes, I was aware my truck had two batteries when I bought it, but honestly, never gave it much thought at the time. Kinda just made a mental note about the $100-$150 fuel filters, larger E-rated tires, and the 3-4 quarts of extra oil.

While helping a friend (with a diesel) shop for batteries the reality hit me---it's going to cost approx. 3X more to replace the batteries on a diesel vs. a typical 1/2 ton gasser !

Curious, how long do diesel batteries typically last? I usually get 3-5 years out of my gasser batteries.

[otrfun]

djousma wrote:
Check this website. I buy all my oil/fuel/air filters from them:

https://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/ram/ram-6-7-liter-cummins-diesel-filter-and-parts/ram-6-7-liter-...

Thanks! Good prices. I like they way they package their filters with specialty tools along with discounts if you purchase sets of 2 and 3.

Right now (could change in an hour--lol!) Amazon has the OEM Mopar fuel filter set (engine & chassis) for $80.83 with free Prime shipping. That's about as cheap as it gets . . . at least for the moment--lol!

[djousma]

otrfun wrote:

Helmsey wrote:

otrfun wrote:
Kinda just made a mental note about the $100-$150 fuel filters

WHAT?!? What kind of fuel filters do you have? :?

'16 Ram CTD. Engine and chassis OEM Mopar fuel filters (as a set) typically sell discount on Amazon and eBay for approx. $100. $150-$200 at the dealer. If anybody's finding them cheaper somewhere else (not counting one-time great deals), please let me know, thanks!

Check this website. I buy all my oil/fuel/air filters from them:

https://www.dieselfiltersonline.com/ram/ram-6-7-liter-cummins-diesel-filter-and-parts/ram-6-7-liter-...

[transamz9]

I replaced the batteries in my 2005 Ram after nine years just for peace of mind on a trip. They never gave me any trouble. I give them to my FIL and he still uses them on his tractor. They will be 12 years old in Jan. My truck is garaged though.

[dodge_guy]

otrfun wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
My dual batteries in the Ford with the PSD lasted eight years. The single battery in my VW with the TDI lasted over 10 years. Batteries are a small percentage of vehicle maintenance costs.

Wow, that's some great longevity. Can't say I've ever had a vehicle battery last that long. I might add I always watch water levels and voltages closely.

Before I moved to AZ I do remember batteries lasting much longer. Here in the desert SW, extremely low humidity, 7-8 months of 90+ temps, and 110-115 degree summer temps, all take a serious toll on batteries. From my experience batteries here last 3-4 years, 5-6 years if I'm real lucky. I would venture to say batteries are probably a higher percentage of maintenance costs here than in the PNW.

The battery in my 95 Explorer went 10 years before it started cranking slow.

FYI, batteries that are mounted in the trunk or passenger compartment tend to last longer than those under the hood!

[thomasgunnar]

OH48Lt wrote:
When I had the 6.0 Ford diesel, a set of fuel filters at the dealer was just over $100. The same exact filters from an International dealer were $32. Only difference was they came in a white box instead of the fancy Motorcraft box. International originally built that engine, so all one had to do was get the right part number and you saved $70. Will that work at a Cummings dealer for the mentioned 2016 CTD? I dunno, but may be worth the research.

I use Racor or Motorcraft filters in my 03. Nothing else. I thought the International dealer would be cheaper as well. Not so. The fellow behind the counter told me that Ford made their own oil/fuel filters. I got out of there on that note. I got my fuel filters from a local parts store. They were somewhere in the neighborhood of $80. Oil filter from a Ford dealer for less than the parts store.

As for batteries my last set was $118 + taxes + environmental stuff. I put in Walmart brand batteries.

[Ron3rd]

deltabravo wrote:

Helmsey wrote:

otrfun wrote:
Kinda just made a mental note about the $100-$150 fuel filters

WHAT?!? What kind of fuel filters do you have? :?

That was my thought too. I've never paid more than about $50.00 for FF for my Duramax.

The Cummins has 2 fuel filters, 1 in the engine compartment and 1 under the bed, don't know about the dmax

[deltabravo]

Took me 45 minutes to find my battery tender. Too tired to plug it in tonight. I have to trudge across the frozen tundra to get to where my truck is. I guess it's a "tomorrow project"

[48ford]

FWIW, am still on the original batteries.

[deltabravo]

Helmsey wrote:

otrfun wrote:
Kinda just made a mental note about the $100-$150 fuel filters

WHAT?!? What kind of fuel filters do you have? :?

That was my thought too. I've never paid more than about $50.00 for FF for my Duramax.

[deltabravo]

I went with AGMs when my batteries failed two years ago on my 2009 Duramax

On one truck I had (2006 Chevy D/A) I had another issue after replacing the batteries with Costco wet cell batteries. The water drains down the cowl cover, under the hood and right on top of the battery, and leaked in to the battery caps on the wet cell, overfilled in, and puke acid on the battery tray, creating a mess. So, on the GMT800 "Chevy" trucks, I'd highly recommend AGMs.

I don't know if the same situation occurs on the GMC version of the GMT800.

[deltabravo]

otrfun wrote:
Curious, how long do diesel batteries typically last? I usually get 3-5 years out of my gasser batteries.

Life of batteries is no different in my experience.

...Which reminds me.... I really should go put a battery tender on my Duramax batteries. I don't drive it much in the non camping season.

[theoldwizard1]

My buddy saved over $150 buy buying replacement batteries for his PowerStroke for Costco (Interstate). Same warranty, same Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) as what was in the truck.

[cmeade]

otrfun wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
There is nothing special about the batteries in a diesel truck vs a gas vehicle. When I replaced batteries in my truck I got the best deal from NAPA on their 84 month batteries. Mine are going on 5 years old and I may replace them next spring.

That may be so, but Ram calls for a pair of 94R/H7 batteries which typically sell for $150-$200 each at most battery sources

My original batteries on my 2010 Ram just died and the "R" means posts are reversed and I could not find Optima batteries for it. Cables would have to be changed. Went with titanium AGMs from Oreilly were about $166 each after discount coupon.

[thomasmnile]

I agree with otrfun. I think the climate has much to do with battery longevity, especially heat. When I bought my '05 Ram in 2008, I put a pair of Group 65 Interstate Megatrons, rated by Interstate as a 75 month battery, They barely made it 48 months. Replaced them with a pair of Group 65 Exides in 2012 ($236 for the pair at NAPA) they are still going........knock on wood.

[rhagfo]

WNYBob wrote:
Just make sure you buy two identical batteries and replace both at the same time, or you will bring down the new one to the status of the weaker one.

X2!
Only replacing the weaker of the two will result in shorter life for both and the new one will go bad a lot sooner than it should.
When I last replaced mine the dealer had OEM's for $99.00 and offered 10 percent coupon.' $180 for both!