After 6yrs of normal use, the Oddysey battery I have is dead. I'm not sure I want to pay a permium again since it lasted about the same as my last Optima Red top. However, I've heard that Optima's quality has gone down too. A local specialized battery shop is recommended a "Deka" battery which goes by the name 'Intimidator' (the shop carries Optimas and Oddysey). However, it's a Group 34 size.

Has anyone heard of Deka batteries?

Will a Grp 34 fit into a '91 4Runner?

The Deka is $184

Yeah, we use their batteries in our forklifts at work as well as some other battery operated equipment. Of course these are not the AGM type batteries, but with regular maintenance, they hold up pretty good. Not the same as your automotive type battery, but I have heard of them.

Here is the link to their sales info on the "Intimidator" battery.
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/1721IntimidatorCompleteline.pdf

Here is their website: http://www.dekabatteries.com/

I believe that the group 34 is the largest battery that will fit. I think the last time I bought one for my truck, it was a group 34 and it has more cold cranking amps and the largest that would fit without modifications. Good luck with choosing a battery and I would like to know if you get this one how it works out for you. I've got to get one for the wife's 4Runner soon.
Here is Deka's page for the group 34 intimidator http://www.dekabatteries.com/default.aspx?pageid=163

As mentioned above, Deka Batteries is one of the product lines made by the parent company East Penn Manufacturing located in Pennsylvania..

Yes.. you are buying a battery actually made in the US.. versus many others made in China, then the long slow boat ride to the U.S.

I know Deka Batteries from their commercial line of batteries we use in UPS Systems.. Top quality batteries..

Highly recommend! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

btw pics of "marine" battery has identical looking pressure relief seals and case design as their commercial "telecomm" AGM battery... of course a different terminal type used in the telecom/UPS environment.

I do AAA roadside service, we are req'd to stock and sell thier batteries-which are just rebadged dekas. No issues at all except for the people who cant fathom that you cant let the car sit for months on end without starting it or leave junk on with the car off.

I got about 10 yrs. out of my first pair of Odyssey (originally Black Panther brand) batteries. I swapped those out for a pair of identical sized Odyssey batteries and those have been in the truck about 4 yrs. now:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/DualBatteries.shtml

Not sure if having dual batteries helps with life time, but those batteries are designed to last up to 12 yrs. I periodically swap connection between my main and aux. battery but most of the time they are both hooked up in parallel.

Here is the response from an email I sent to Odyssey. I wasn't looking for a remedy...just wanted to let them know.

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Thank you for your feedback. We greatly appreciate your taking the time to contact us about your experience. Your question if a valid one and based on the capacity differences between the PC1200 and the PC1400, if the PC1200 lasted 6 years in your vehicle then the PC1400 with a 55% greater capacity should have had a service life of about 9.3 years or longer in the same vehicle with the same usage by comparison. Unfortunately, when you purchased the PC1200 six years ago we were not manufacturing the automotive group size batteries.

Also, you might want to verify that your alternator output is between 14.1-14.8V at the battery. If it is less than 14.1V you may have an alternator that is starting to go. Consistent undercharging or maintaining the battery in an undercharged condition will cause sulfation and premature failure. At less than 14.1V the battery may not be getting fully charged. Just a thought.

Thanks again. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
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I ended up going with the Deka AGM Grp 34 (looks like a debadged Intimidator) and it fit better than the Odessey. We'll see how long it will last, but at least it only cost me $160 vs $300 for the Odessey.