Thinking of Up Sizing or Replacing your Ranger battery, Learn from my experience

[MustangMike2021]

I realize this post will not appeal to the masses, but want to help others who want to ‘up size’ their current battery to allow longer accessory usage between starts. Back ground -- I do a lot of camping. I tend to park my truck and utilize Sirius/XM, added bed lighting, and 12VDC power points for long periods of time. I found myself having to periodically idle my truck for 15 minutes regularly when dash\ radio messages stating ‘turn off accessories to save battery. I have a FX4 XLT with 302A trim. After some research, I found that the Lariat Rangers come with a larger battery to accommodate the added accessories. (XLT – size 48, Lariat 94R). When you go to purchase a replace battery, be aware that Rangers come with a AGM (glass mat) style battery vs. a older style 'flooded' style. I went to Costco and purchased the larger 94R and found a couple unexpected issues. The first was overlooked, but obvious. The heat shield battery cover did not fit the new battery. I needed to replace it with a larger one (Ford part # KB3Z-10A687-A). The second was a complete surprise, but after a google search, it seems very common. When I installed the new battery, the negative post tightened down tight, but the positive post, even fully tightened, would easily spin on the post. Rangers have a weird post clamp set up that limits the clamp travel. My research found that it is common for after market battery post to be slightly smaller that OEM. I found a solution, search ‘battery post shims’. They are a lead cap that fits over the post creating a larger diameter. I ordered a set, thinking it would be a easy fix, only to find that the Ford clamp will not fit over the shim. I ended up cutting the lead shim and inserting a couple small sections between the post and clamp until I could get a tight fit. I hope this helps when members need to change / up-size their Ranger batteries.

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[thewhiteranger]

thanks! I always buy the largest battery I can get when replacing it --- more is better as far as batteries go, you'd think the clamps / posts would be the same did that remove the 'start engine to save battery' issue? - tried listening to radio while washing / waxing and got the same message after a short time, seems like you should be able to listen to the radio for a little longer.

 

[MustangMike2021]

thanks! I always buy the largest battery I can get when replacing it --- more is better as far as batteries go, you'd think the clamps / posts would be the same did that remove the 'start engine to save battery' issue? - tried listening to radio while washing / waxing and got the same message after a short time, seems like you should be able to listen to the radio for a little longer.

Hey WhiteRanger, thanks for the reply. Yes, replacing the battery fixed all the ills I was experiencing. My resting battery voltage jumped from 12.3 to 13.3VDC after battery change. I am a little pissed that my local Ford dealer would not even consider battery replacement during my numerous visits. I can now used my 12VDC power ports for two hours after key is turned off without any warnings, After battery install, I decided to leave the pigtail connection on the negative post undone because I found this is a easy way to disable the auto start/stop function, and does not seem to effect other functions (see other posts detailing this)

 

[Trigganometry]

Another thing many do not realize is this intelligent charging system is limited to 75% of full charge. Supposedly it gives longer life.

If you have Forscan you can bump up the percentage. It’s a setting you can change. I changed mine to charge to 90% as I never had a problem before and would rather the extra reserve.

 

[thewhiteranger]

thanks for the info -- I likely won't mess with it for awhile since im only at 12k miles so have warranty left for a while so battery would be replaced if it has issues as of now, I wonder if your upping the charge % is what fixed it - I disabled stop start by the end of the first week - auto stop start eliminator was THE BEST 80 bucks ive ever spent..... I was always afraid it wouldn't restar and battery / starter wear. but when I do replace it will be with the largest battery I can get to fit in there extra is always good for batteries. thanks again for the info.

 

[Trigganometry]

thanks for the info -- I likely won't mess with it for awhile since im only at 12k miles so have warranty left for a while so battery would be replaced if it has issues as of now, I wonder if your upping the charge % is what fixed it - I disabled stop start by the end of the first week - auto stop start eliminator was THE BEST 80 bucks ive ever spent..... I was always afraid it wouldn't restar and battery / starter wear. but when I do replace it will be with the largest battery I can get to fit in there extra is always good for batteries. thanks again for the info.

I had mine unplugged at the battery. Then I used Forscan and turned it offs Plugged in intelligent charging system again and then Forscan changed that. Yes, while I had it disconnected I had full charge by external meter.

 

[importfighter01]

This is great info as I returned from not driving my XL for 5 weeks to a battery holding only 2.5 volts. I had no experience with AGM batteries and upon researching it seems they are much more finicky about the extremes of having a full charge or sitting for a long time without a trickle charge.
At my Walmart an H7 group size EverStart Max battery (94r is part of that group size) is only $150 and has 3 yr free replacement. If my AGM battery doesn’t hold charge anymore for some reason I go that route. Thanks again, OP!

 

[MustangMike2021]

This is great info as I returned from not driving my XL for 5 weeks to a battery holding only 2.5 volts. I had no experience with AGM batteries and upon researching it seems they are much more finicky about the extremes of having a full charge or sitting for a long time without a trickle charge.
At my Walmart an H7 group size EverStart Max battery (94r is part of that group size) is only $150 and has 3 yr free replacement. If my AGM battery doesn’t hold charge anymore for some reason I go that route. Thanks again, OP!

After doing some research, I see the advantages of the AGM vs. the flooded style battery. I just think there is flaws in the Ford branded AGMs. Mine began to fail at 13K miles/2years, maybe due to the Ranger's 'Battery Management System' which only allows a max. charge of 75% unless change is made with Forscan. I am very happy with the performance of the new Costco Interstate battery, although it has only been 3 months (Costco also offers a 'no testing' 3yr replacement, which gives me peace of mind until 2024)

 

[importfighter01]

Update on the OEM SGM battery. Bottom line, do NOT let it drain completely like it did on my truck. Despite driving with the power mgnt off to get full charge again for 30+ min after jumping the truck, it could only hold a max of 5v and to be jumped again to drive home (glad I had jump box with me). I don’t have time to let the dealer replace under warranty so upgraded the factory H6 SGM battery to a Walmart H7 flooded battery and back to starting like a champ. Start seems faster with the new battery too. I believe it has more cold cranking amps. I have ordered the bigger battery insulator from Parts.Ford.com for $49 plus free shipping. And with the Walmart EverStart Maxx battery I didn’t need battery post shims either!

Quick note about this battery upgrade, the H7 is such a tight fit vs the smaller H6 that at first it seems that you can’t install it. It will work, just takes some finesse. There are so many cables in the way I had a buddy hold one half the battery handle while I held the other half the battery handle when lowering it into place.Very helpful given the bigger dimensions of the H7 battery. Hope this helps someone further down the line.

 

[thewhiteranger]

so you dont have to replace with an AGM battery????? what is the purpose o changing to AGM by ford? the cost is much higher so there must be a reason the bean counters didn't veto the extra cost of AGM. how do you disable the battery management to make it give a full charge?

 

[AzScorpion]

After doing some research, I see the advantages of the AGM vs. the flooded style battery. I just think there is flaws in the Ford branded AGMs. Mine began to fail at 13K miles/2years, maybe due to the Ranger's 'Battery Management System' which only allows a max. charge of 75% unless change is made with Forscan. I am very happy with the performance of the new Costco Interstate battery, although it has only been 3 months (Costco also offers a 'no testing' 3yr replacement, which gives me peace of mind until 2024)

Do you have a part # for the Interstate battery? I have always bought these through Costco because of the reason you stated. They have a no bs guarantee and batteries out here rarely last 2-3 years. When I looked on their site there was no replacement found

 

[MustangMike2021]

Do you have a part # for the Interstate battery? I have always bought these through Costco because of the reason you stated. They have a no bs guarantee and batteries out here rarely last 2-3 years. When I looked on their site there was no replacement found

It is a H7 (94R) AGM. specs: 850 CCA- 1000 CA- Item #1355852. If you go to most Auto Parts websites and enter Ranger Lariat as the vehicle, it will spec out this battery. As previous posted, it takes some fenagling of the post wires to get in the battery into the pan but is doable. The heat shield is Ford part # KB3Z-10A687-A , and runs about $32 on most online ford part websites.

 

[AzScorpion]

It is a H7 (94R) AGM. specs: 850 CCA- 1000 CA- Item #1355852. If you go to most Auto Parts websites and enter Ranger Lariat as the vehicle, it will spec out this battery. As previous posted, it takes some fenagling of the post wires to get in the battery into the pan but is doable. The heat shield is Ford part # KB3Z-10A687-A , and runs about $32 on most online ford part websites.

Thanks Mike! I just had mine replaced under warranty but if it goes again I want to replace it with an Interstate.

 

[MustangMike2021]

Thanks Mike! I just had mine replaced under warranty but if it goes again I want to replace it with an Interstate.

I wish my local ford dealer was as top notch as yours. Lithia Ford Fresno would not even discuss the possibility about replacing my failing battery. Three visits for extensive testing and then stopped returning my calls.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

I went with this and extra batteries. so far it has been working great with the 2 size 27 marine batteries from the boat. when those die I'm switching to Li-Ion


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