How to replace battery

slinghigh said:

hey guys....my battery is 3yrs old and I want to get ready to replace before it fails....I was wondering if there is anything special about replacement....I have heard/read that if you wait till the battery fails you can have trans/computer problems.....any advice would be helpful....most new cars have a capacitor to hold a charge while changing the battery...is that true with our jeep....thanks for any advice...

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Just to provide a little more detail... (DYI and How-to)

It is a Group 48 (H6) battery.
There isn't a capacitor to hold a charge (your stereo shall retain their preset while the battery is disconnected (I don't know why, but it does)).

ENSURE that the ignition is off.

Remove the negative terminal by using the quick disconnect, move the battery cable out of the way.

Remove the fuse block cover from the top of the battery.

Remove the two (2) cross tip screws in the ‘Red’ retaining bar.

Remove the ‘Red’ retaining bar (clip) (be careful, don't break it), it should pull straight up.

Remove the positive terminal using a 10mm wrench to loosen the nut; lift the fuse block and the positive cable as a single unit.

Using a 13mm socket, remove the battery hold down retaining strap; lift it up and out of the way.

Lift the old battery from the battery tray.


Set the NEW Group 48 (H6) battery in the battery tray.

Pull the battery strap over the top of the battery and secure the 8mm nut using a 13mm socket.

*Set the fuse block and positive battery terminal onto the positive battery post.

Insert the ‘Red’ retaining bar/clip through the fuse block into the battery and secure it with the two cross tip screws.

Tighten the positive battery terminal using a 10mm wrench.

Replace/install the fuse block cover.

*Install the negative battery terminal, securing it by the quick disconnect.

* = I use anti-corrosion felt washers on my battery post before installing the battery terminals (optional/recommended).

Wal-Mart battery should be fine.

I am partial to Interstate, or Napa brand Batteries, they have always done me good.

I am currently using an Optima battery, Optima Yellow Top H6 Batteries 9048-148 (it is over kill).

dgr401 said:

Any pictures of your hot rod?

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lol, do I have any pictures... I don't have these anymore. But I built all of them.
Except the R1 (Motor Cycle), I still have the R1, and the Ramcharger, WIP.
I am currently playing with a 2004 Mustang GT, WIP. Nothing worth posting yet.

1970 Plymouth GTX; 440, 4 speed. 11.6 second 1/4 mile car.
1986 Pontiac Fiero GT; 2.8 bored ans stroked to 3.1. 13.2 second 1/4 mile car.
1951 Willys MB38; 1965 Ford 289, C4 transmission. NOT a 1/4 mile Jeep.
1950 Willys CJ3A; 1970 Chevy 350 (350 HP), Turbo 350 transmission, T18 Transfer w/ twin sticks, Dana 30 front, Dana 44 rear 4.56 gearing. NOT a 1/4 mile Jeep, would pop a wheelie across the street. Would climb anything.
1977 Ramcharger; 440, 727 transmission, NP 203 transfer, Dana 44 front 9.25 rear 3.55 gears
2005 Yamaha YZF R1. Lots done. 10.4-ish 1/4 mile.
1998 Mustang GT (Crazy 8); 4.6 (597 HP, 611 lb-ft), T56 transmission, 8.8 rear 3.73 gears. The most I have done to a car. 12.2 1/4 mile car... at 156 mph, it is time to shift into 6th gear.

All have Red Top Optima's except the R1.
The GTX had 2 Red Top Optima's. lol