How Much Does a Jeep Wrangler Battery Cost?
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- Sponsor
- OPTIMA Batteries
- Location
- Johnson Valley, California
Jeeps have used a variety of batteries over the years and when an OPTIMA ends up under the hood (or somewhere else), it is often a YELLOWTOP and often a Group D34/78 (current pricing is available at the link), which we consider a "custom fitment" in many of those applications. The reason is because for some Jeep generations, including the CJ and YJ, OPTIMA didn't offer what we considered a "direct-fit" replacement.
However, Jeep owners found the Group D34/78 YELLOWTOP was a relatively-easy upgrade to make, with lots of aftermarket companies offering trays specifically to fit OPTIMA batteries. The YELLOWTOP was the logical choice for many Jeep owners, because it offers more cranking amps and reserve capacity than the OE battery and is a dual-purpose battery, designed & warrantied for both starting and deep-cycle use, which would include winching, which is a common accessory on many Jeeps.
With the introduction of the TJ generation of Jeeps, Jeep owners found themselves with many OPTIMA batteries to choose from, at a variety of price points. However, as was the case with the previous generations, if a Jeep had deep-cycle accessories, like a winch, aftermarket lights, stereo or alarm systems, then the YELLOWTOP is the best choice.
Things changed dramatically for Jeeps in the 2012 model year. Starting in that year and going forward, Jeep Wranglers started using significantly-larger H6 batteries, which OPTIMA offers as a direct-fit replacement. Why the larger battery? It's certainly not because the 3.6-liter V6 engines need more cranking amps. Smaller batteries started older Jeeps with larger engines just fine and newer Jeeps with even smaller 2.0-liter engines still need the big H6 batteries.
The real reason newer Jeeps need bigger batteries is because newer Jeeps are far more demanding from an electrical perspective. We're not just talking about features like remote starting and keyless entry. Vehicles equipped with start/stop technology are very hard on their batteries, shutting off and starting the engine thousands of times more during the life of a typical battery.
With those types of demands, a battery's weight is as good an indication as any specification that tells you how much power that battery will provide. The OPTIMA DH6 YELLOWTOP weighs in at about 54 pounds, which is nearly 20 pounds heavier than some other H6 batteries on the market. That extra weight means more plates, thicker, more robust cast straps connecting the cells and more power when you need it. While price is always a consideration in making a battery purchase, be sure you're getting your money's worth. A battery that doesn't hold it's weight with an OPTIMA won't perform as well or last as long.
However, Jeep owners found the Group D34/78 YELLOWTOP was a relatively-easy upgrade to make, with lots of aftermarket companies offering trays specifically to fit OPTIMA batteries. The YELLOWTOP was the logical choice for many Jeep owners, because it offers more cranking amps and reserve capacity than the OE battery and is a dual-purpose battery, designed & warrantied for both starting and deep-cycle use, which would include winching, which is a common accessory on many Jeeps.
With the introduction of the TJ generation of Jeeps, Jeep owners found themselves with many OPTIMA batteries to choose from, at a variety of price points. However, as was the case with the previous generations, if a Jeep had deep-cycle accessories, like a winch, aftermarket lights, stereo or alarm systems, then the YELLOWTOP is the best choice.
Things changed dramatically for Jeeps in the 2012 model year. Starting in that year and going forward, Jeep Wranglers started using significantly-larger H6 batteries, which OPTIMA offers as a direct-fit replacement. Why the larger battery? It's certainly not because the 3.6-liter V6 engines need more cranking amps. Smaller batteries started older Jeeps with larger engines just fine and newer Jeeps with even smaller 2.0-liter engines still need the big H6 batteries.
The real reason newer Jeeps need bigger batteries is because newer Jeeps are far more demanding from an electrical perspective. We're not just talking about features like remote starting and keyless entry. Vehicles equipped with start/stop technology are very hard on their batteries, shutting off and starting the engine thousands of times more during the life of a typical battery.
With those types of demands, a battery's weight is as good an indication as any specification that tells you how much power that battery will provide. The OPTIMA DH6 YELLOWTOP weighs in at about 54 pounds, which is nearly 20 pounds heavier than some other H6 batteries on the market. That extra weight means more plates, thicker, more robust cast straps connecting the cells and more power when you need it. While price is always a consideration in making a battery purchase, be sure you're getting your money's worth. A battery that doesn't hold it's weight with an OPTIMA won't perform as well or last as long.