I'm sure this is a little premature But, I'm wondering what kind of battery life we can expect out of the 2nd gen Xterras.
What are you going to use next ?

i dont know about the battery life, but i threw an optima yellow top in after about a year of owning it. needless to say, my headlights dont dim when the bass hits anymore!

I believe you can generally expect about 3 years out of a stock battery under normal use. If you start adding things that use more power (stereo, lights, winch, etc), or you live in a very cold climate, then it will probably not last quite as long.

My stock battery has been going good for the past year and a half with the winch.

When it does give up, I'll be replacing it with a Exide Orbital Blue top.

I just ordered my exide blue top last week :D

Where did you order it from? May I ask what it ran you.

A few weeks ago I thought the Yellow Top in the Jeep had taken a dump and I went in search of a Blue top Exide and couldn't find one. The yellow top ended up being ok (the battery charger I was using didn't like the deep cycle battery) so I haven't looked for a new Blue top, but it will be nice to know where to order one when I need it.

I ordered it from http://www.diversifiedbattery.com/index.html $140

Hello, Have you ever try: Interstate battery? They have one that will last 7 years (84 months). I got one in my Dodge 4x4. The next one will be for the Xterra when it is time to change.

Many years ago Consumer Reports rated them as the best batteries!

Just my thoughts here...........Aloha

I know several subaru guys around here that are running the BRAILLE lightweights.

The main reasons they say they use them:
-Insane cranking amps
-Dry cell
-Arent influenced by extreme temps (cold, or hot)
-Size (1/3rd that of stock batteries)
-Weight (less than 1/3rd of a stock battery)

I also know several guys running them on their jeeps too, as backups for if their main battery dies from winching, lighting, air compressors, etc. Its funny to see a battery the size of 6 packs of cigarettes start up a grand cherokee with a 5.9 magnum on the first crank, when its optima couldnt do it in 3, fully charged.

I also forgot to mention, their exactly $100 bucks if I remember right. http://www.brailleauto.com/index.html

scroll down and look at the CRANKING AMPS on those puppies.

The smallest one is 600+ and their larger one is 1060+!!!

Most off-roaders who run lights and winches want a deep cycle battery over cranking amps. As long as the battery has enough to start the car, all is good. But when you are winching and running the battery down you need that deep cycle to prevent battery damage.

exactly. thats why I went with the deep cycle marine battery.

I couldn't give 2 craps about cca. :D

I also know several guys running them on their jeeps too, as backups for if their main battery dies from winching, lighting, air compressors, etc. Its funny to see a battery the size of 6 packs of cigarettes start up a grand cherokee with a 5.9 magnum on the first crank, when its optima couldnt do it in 3, fully charged

Should have been more specific.

They keep them on board so when/if they drain their main battery trying to fix the jeep or get it out, they've got something to crank their vehicle with, no matter the conditions.

Ah, that's not a bad idea.

Considering my XJ's Redtop is about 8 or 9 years old, and still kicking. I'll stick with them. Actually I have a factory Redtop from a CRD Liberty that will most likely find its way into the X. Best part is people give me Redtops cause they think they've gone bad.

--Matt

are optima battery any good?

are optima battery any good?

Redtop == Optima

They also make a Yellowtop, deep cycle and Bluetop, marine. They can be pricey, unless your me, but last a long time. One of mine is over 8 years old.

--Matt