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Well, I need a new battery. Options and things to be aware of?

L

leftoutside

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Mine was one of the first new gen Rams, bought in Aug 2018, so the battery has done well at 7 yrs old. Wont hold a charge and too many short trips lately has killed it.

Where do I go, aside from the dealers, to get one? Years ago seems I recall seeing threads with some difficulty in finding good batteries, something about the complexity of the truck electrical systems?

I believe this is an AGM battery, is that right? Do I need another AGM or can it be straight lead acid just as well? A quick check at rockauto and I see $200-400 as an average price range for AGM batteries. ANything I should avoid? I assume, but have to ask, this is a self service swap?

Mine is Part no. 56029635AC, now superseeded by BBH7F001AA, online priced around $260.
 
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Edit - I looked up my part no after posting, and noticed it is NOT an agm. I guess not sure where I got the idea it was. Onward.
 
Here is the thread on batteries:

SUMMARY - Walmart's H8 AGM seems to be the best deal when considering price, warranty and replacement availability. Requires removing the clip on the battery tray, very simple.

Great to read "the battery has done well at 7 yrs old", I'm on my 3rd compliments of Stellantis.
 
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I’ve got an early model 5th gen Ram too, and like you, I had the OEM battery in the truck for nearly 5 years before it stopped holding a good charge. I ended up replacing it not because it completely failed, but because the cold cranking amps (CCA) were dropping off and I needed reliability. Funny enough, I’m still using the old battery at my stalls with an inverter to run lights — so it still has some life in it!

As for a replacement, I went with the Super Start Platinum AGM Top Post Battery Group Size 94R H7 - 94RPLT from O’Reilly Auto Parts. It’s been solid. These trucks are sensitive to voltage dips due to all the onboard electronics, and an AGM battery helps keep things stable, especially if you're doing a lot of short trips.

I would swap to an AGM instead of a standard flooded lead-acid battery. AGMs are designed to handle the parasitic loads and recharge cycles better — especially in a vehicle with lots of modules drawing standby power.

And yes, it’s a self-serviceable swap as long as you're careful. Disconnect the negative terminal first, avoid sparking, and be cautious of the IBS (intelligent battery sensor) near the negative terminal. Quick reset afterward and you should be good to go!
 
I get mine from AutoZone*. They install for free (more like I just let them help).

Provide the VIN, they bring up a list of options. Ignore the fancy ones like Optima. Assuming at least three options, don't get the cheapest or the most expensive. I typically get a 3-year battery. I think wet cell or AGM are both fine for this vehicle.

Over the long term (years to decades), batteries are just a normal replacement item. I just want to take care of it as quickly as possible and get on with my day. This is typically the first noticeably slow crank with no other explanation such as having left the lights on. I put the receipt in the glove box as there is sometimes some leftover warranty the next time.

* AutoZone only because they are everywhere around me, generally well-stocked, and the employees are reasonably capable. I have used other chains when I have lived in other places such as Kragen. Nothing against CostCo except I am not a member and it is not close to me. Dealership? Making an appointment and the total time getting such a basic item resolved is not worth it to me, even if it were to last twice as long.
 
CHeYeNNe71 said:
Walmart AGM Platinum and upgrade to H8. Comes with 4 year replacement and the money saved buy beer/food and enjoy. Plus there is a Walmart just about everywhere when traveling.
Click to expand...
I just replaced mine with this exact battery at just over 3 years. It’s a very well rated battery and fit perfectly after easily removing the spacer. Even used my old battery blanket. I was able to stretch it over the larger new battery pretty easily.
 
leftoutside said:
Mine was one of the first new gen Rams, bought in Aug 2018, so the battery has done well at 7 yrs old. Wont hold a charge and too many short trips lately has killed it.

Where do I go, aside from the dealers, to get one? Years ago seems I recall seeing threads with some difficulty in finding good batteries, something about the complexity of the truck electrical systems?

I believe this is an AGM battery, is that right? Do I need another AGM or can it be straight lead acid just as well? A quick check at rockauto and I see $200-400 as an average price range for AGM batteries. ANything I should avoid? I assume, but have to ask, this is a self service swap?

Mine is Part no. 56029635AC, now superseeded by BBH7F001AA, online priced around $260.
Click to expand...
I use and have used the walmart everstart max , had very good luck with them now I just go with the non agm ,
 
I am on my third battery in 6 years. Second one was Interstate H7 AGM, third one is AutoZone Duralast H7 AGM. My factory one died in the first year but I didn't want a lead acid replacement so I just did it myself with an AGM. It lasted just over 3 years. This third one has been in since November of 2024. A lot of people move to the H8 but I just stuck with H7. I don't need the higher CCA of the H8 as I live in central Florida and don't combat cold temperature starts. Getting 7 years out of a battery is near impossible so you obviously have good luck. I feel like any H7 AGM will be fine.
 
CHeYeNNe71 said:
Walmart AGM Platinum and upgrade to H8. Comes with 4 year replacement and the money saved buy beer/food and enjoy. Plus there is a Walmart just about everywhere when traveling.
Click to expand...

I just put 2 of these (H7) in my 3500. Same OE (JCI) as the Interstate at Costco that costs more and has a lesser warranty.

The driver side will fit an H8 without mod (block removal), the passenger side requires work. Since I have 2, just stuck with the OE size since I had WM install them (free install).
 
I replaced the OEM battery in my 2019 last week out of caution. New battery is a Costco/Interstate H7 AGM ($179). Too early for reviews but no problems after replacement and so far so good.
 
A few weeks ago, I replaced my OEM battery in my 2022 with an H7 Duralast AGM from Autozone. I got the Platinum Elite so it has a 4-yr warranty. Since no batteries last that long in the Phoenix heat, it's a good bet I'll be able to get a warranty replacement battery before the warranty is up.
 
FastBlackRam said:
I am on my third battery in 6 years. Second one was Interstate H7 AGM, third one is AutoZone Duralast H7 AGM. My factory one died in the first year but I didn't want a lead acid replacement so I just did it myself with an AGM. It lasted just over 3 years. This third one has been in since November of 2024. A lot of people move to the H8 but I just stuck with H7. I don't need the higher CCA of the H8 as I live in central Florida and don't combat cold temperature starts. Getting 7 years out of a battery is near impossible so you obviously have good luck. I feel like any H7 AGM will be fine.
Click to expand...
It's more than just cold weather cranking. Heat kills batteries as well. Having the H8, it has better capacity for cranking in any condition, so doesn't drain as much. Requiring less recharging.
 
wegasque said:
A few weeks ago, I replaced my OEM battery in my 2022 with an H7 Duralast AGM from Autozone. I got the Platinum Elite so it has a 4-yr warranty. Since no batteries last that long in the Phoenix heat, it's a good bet I'll be able to get a warranty replacement battery before the warranty is up.
Click to expand...
Is the warranty replacement or pro rated?
I stopped buying the Duralast as it was pro rated and I would receive a few dollars towards a new battery, never made it past the warranty. It almost seemed like It was a scam.
I don't know if that has changed and it is full replacement now.

From reading on this forum and Everstart websites the Everstart AGM has a 4 year replacement. From what I have read the 4 year replacement is only for the AGM battery. The other batteries vary based on which battery is purchased.
 
Jako said:
Is the warranty replacement or pro rated?
I stopped buying the Duralast as it was pro rated and I would receive a few dollars towards a new battery, never made it past the warranty. It almost seemed like It was a scam.
I don't know if that has changed and it is full replacement now.

From reading on this forum and Everstart websites the Everstart AGM has a 4 year replacement. From what I have read the 4 year replacement is only for the AGM battery. The other batteries vary based on which battery is purchased.
Click to expand...
Usually replacement in the first part of the warranty period and pro-rated for most of it. Is it a scam? Maybe in part, and the rest is marketing. Or just treat it as buying a service plan which includes a battery.

There are very few battery manufacturers left, all "competitor" batteries come out a small number of factories. There is even a possibility the only difference between a 2, 3, or 4 year battery is the stickers and the price (this would be the scam). If there is remaining warranty, you are likely to return to the same source for another (this would be the marketing).

I expect at least two years of service from a battery and do a quick stop when needed to exchange it and effectively "settle up" on the cost of the next one. However for some weird reason, my last AutoZone battery replacement (on my Chevy) which had only months left on the warranty was replaced outright at no charge. As a result, I only have a few months of remaining warranty. on a new battery with 3-year stickers.
 
I got the OReilly battery as well. Worked fine, but failed after 3 years. They replaced under warranty with a new one, no questions asked (after battery test).

BTW, my local OReillys will not change the battery for me, apparently because too many customers freaked out because the truck needs a few hours to reset and completely reboot all systems after replacement. They blamed OReilly for this behavior.
 
Reverse said:
I got the OReilly battery as well. Worked fine, but failed after 3 years. They replaced under warranty with a new one, no questions asked (after battery test).

BTW, my local OReillys will not change the battery for me, apparently because too many customers freaked out because the truck needs a few hours to reset and completely reboot all systems after replacement. They blamed OReilly for this behavior.
Click to expand...
Add in those people who complain whoever installed a battery messed up the emissions system because it will not pass smog right after the new battery is installed. Most people today have no clue why this is normal.
 
Reverse said:
I got the OReilly battery as well. Worked fine, but failed after 3 years. They replaced under warranty with a new one, no questions asked (after battery test).

BTW, my local OReillys will not change the battery for me, apparently because too many customers freaked out because the truck needs a few hours to reset and completely reboot all systems after replacement. They blamed OReilly for this behavior.
Click to expand...
These things are nothing but big computers anymore. Sad really!!
 
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