Thank you for the quick reply Mr. daze,

I can't argue with any of your thoughts; 5 years is not bad, I guess I wanted to give the Sears tech a small credit - and I wouldn't mind getting the other 40 months (at least pro-rated credit). I've cleaned up the connections, even though they didn't look bad. And, just wondering, since it starts readily when jumped, I infer that the cabling from the jumper cables on is reasonable. Maybe not?

My urges have been in line with your money - I may well go ahead and get the new battery - 5 years is not bad, and why send her off into another winter with a battery nearer the end. That would be cheap piece of mind. I also have not returned my alternator core, figuring I might want to get it rebuilt as I evolve this truck.