Corey's 2007 FJ Cruiser built for expedtion/overland, & daily driver

[craig]

Yes.

Other than the reduced CCAs and AH reserve capacity that result from a different physical size, that's essentially the same battery as the one reviewed in the last issue of OJ. (Same as the Odyssey too). It's also identical to the Die Hard marine battery.

According to http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850035000P?i_cntr=1290029604410

Product Description

The P-5 Platinum Automotive Battery from DieHard features 100 minutes of reserve capacity and 740 cold cranking amps. Its corrosion-resistant high quality tin-coated brass terminals provide reliable starting power in all weather conditions. Its rugged, military-grade construction features robust casing for increased compression and offers superior vibration resistance, making it ideal for off-road applications.

* Longer off-season storage time - show cars & classic cars
* Ideal for luxury vehicles with multiple electronic accessories
* Plates made of 99.99% pure virgin lead
* High purity grade acid held safely in place by glass mats; non-spillable design
* Absorbed Glass Mat construction provides mounting flexibility & guarantees longer service life
* 4-Year Free Replacement; 100-Month Prorated Limited Warranty

Craig

 

[Dave Bennett]

I have the P5 as my primary, it's a solid battery. My secondary is an Odyssey 1700MJT, both were made in the same plant by Enersys

 

[Salue]

The only concern I see with having the Red top as a secondary is the lack of use it might get and eventually the battery will slowly discharge and won't get back to full capacity since it isn't a deep cycle. Is this a valid concern or a non-issue?
That was one of the reasons I went with dual Platinums. I guess if you remember to switch over to your secondary every once in awhile, it wouldn't be a concern?

Salue

 

[Corey]

Yes.

Other than the reduced CCAs and AH reserve capacity that result from a different physical size, that's essentially the same battery as the one reviewed in the last issue of OJ. (Same as the Odyssey too). It's also identical to the Die Hard marine battery.

Craig

I read about the good results of the P-4 in the OJ.
The P-5 is a direct fit for mine and TacoDoc.

I have the P5 as my primary, it's a solid battery. My secondary is an Odyssey 1700MJT, both were made in the same plant by Enersys

That is another reason I like the new Platinums, that they are pretty much identical to the more expensive Odyssey.

The only concern I see with having the Red top as a secondary is the lack of use it might get and eventually the battery will slowly discharge and won't get back to full capacity since it isn't a deep cycle. Is this a valid concern or a non-issue?
That was one of the reasons I went with dual Platinums. I guess if you remember to switch over to your secondary every once in awhile, it wouldn't be a concern?

Salue

I pretty much run with the three way toggle switch all the way over to the left all the time (position one) that turns on the green light when the key is on.
This means that the alternator is charging up both batteries as I drive.

I think the Yellowtop failing was due to poor quality control.
If you Google Optima there are quite a few forums out there with nothing but bad posts about Optima not being the same battery they were years ago before they got bought out.

Not a concern now since the place I bought mine at is an authorized dealer that will honor it.

 

[Salue]

Gotcha Corey,
I wasn't sure how your dual battery worked and didn't know that it monitors and charges both as you drive.
I don't have a solenoid, just a Blue Seas switch that I must manually turn to get it to charge the primary only, secondary only or both.

Salue

 

[Corey]

Kind of like Treknwil's?
http://www.yotatech.com/f204/treknwils-2007-fj-cruiser-build-up-thread-213984/#post51595581

 

[Salue]

It's this switch:

Salue

 

[Corey]

Looks like a nice setup, way different than mine.

The only complaint I have with mine is the green and red lights are regular bulbs, not LEDs.

The green one is burned out from having it on all the time, but I have had the kit since early 2008 I think.

I can get a new bulb/wire from Painless, but I think I will look into replacing both with LEDs instead.

 

[TEJASYOTA]

Impressive build up Corey!

 

[Corey]

Thank you very much Nathan.

 

[STREGA]

:victory: Coreys FJ has influenced my FJ build, first saw it on the blue room.

 

[Corey]

Thanks STREGA.

I am nearing the end of modding mine (famous last words ) I think.
I want to do a rear bumper, but not really excited about the options out there right now for one that does not have a swing out.
I have no desire to move the spare tire to a swing out as I have the Thule bike rack back there.

I think the only two out there right now that will let you use the stock hitch and back up sonar is the ARB and the Warn.
Both also require you to cut the plastic on the sides I think.
Would like to find a nice one that simply bolts on like the stock one does that allows the use of the stock hitch and sonar.

Right now with the stock hitch location the Thule fits perfectly and does not interfere with the spare tire.

 

[WASURF63]

Hey Corey,

Sounds like it would be a custom job that you need if you eventually add a rear bumper.
Check this link out. Jason is a local guy (Puyallup) that does very clean, solid fab work. Super cool guy with a great attitude and work ethic.
http://www.perkinsperformance.com/projects.html

Walt

 

[Corey]

Thanks Walt, I see they are not to far from me.
I wonder if they have done an FJ yet, there certainly are a ton around this neck of the woods.

I do not mind the ARB or Warn ones, but I was looking at this one also without a swing out.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/expedition-one/97777-rear-bumpers-now-available-shipping.html

I am not sure if the plastic sides under the taillights have to be cut like the others or not, maybe not after seeing a few of the pics in post # 18.
It does come with some nifty backup lights built into the bumper that can be wired to come on with you shift into reverse, but I bet it can be rigged independently too.

If I did not need the Thule bike rack on the rear, I might go for the swing out one, but the Thule must swing up when it its stored position, and I think it would hit.

 

[lgrt]

Always enjoy seeing the great build you did on your FJC Corey... Very nice.