I went to NAPA recently. Got a battery, 2 marine terminals, and 4 preterminated cables. Just under $200. I was on borrowed time with the factory cables and when my battery finally crapped out I wasn't about to install a new battery with the cables in horrible shape.

I painstakingly removed everything from the factory loom, cleaned it all and replaced the new cables into the loom. Well worth it though. I had already replaced the starter last year and the alternator was new when I got the Jeep. It fires up near instantly.

Only thing strange is that it doesn't have that signature Jeep starter sound anymore. Seems like the starter spins 3 times faster now.

 

I would like to put new cables in, but I am terrible with electrical stuff. What are preterminated cables and how are marine terminals different? Also is there a good how to video specifically for xj's that shows how to do this?

 

With enough patience and tracking you can replace the battery cables easily. And funny enough you said that. When i replaced the brushes in my starter motor when i couldnt afford a new starter it sounded completely different and faster. Must get tired after a while. Also never knew it was a mitsubishi part either.

 

This doesn't really require any electrical knowledge. It's purely a mechanical exercise. If you can mess with nuts & bolts, you can do this.

And to make it easier, you can get help here. (Do start your own thread, though.)



Cables that already have the terminals (ends) put on them. This is what you want.


Marine battery terminals are used on boats. Here's an example:



Marine battery terminal, from Crimp Supply. Good company.


These are an improvement over the factory terminals, but I prefer military style terminals:



Military battery terminals.


I prefer these for two reasons:

1. They do not stick up higher than stock terminals, thus reducing the chance of contacting the underside of the hood.
2. They provide TWO places to attach cables.

Fastronix or Crimp Supply on Amazon has both. I have not dealt with Fastronix. I have bought from Crimp Supply and have been pleased, but the last time I ordered the military terminals I got a lighter duty variety that are adequate, but not what I wanted.


There's probably one on Youtube.


That said, there are a couple of people on this board that sell kits made for our vehicles. You'll get what you need ready made, and it's pretty much just disconnecting the old, and replacing it with the new. I strongly recommend you do NOT get the massive huge cables that are sold. It's a waste of money and copper. The factory cables are adequate. A slight upgrade (from 6 gauge to 4 gauge) is very nice. Bigger than 4 gauge is just a silly game of "mine's bigger than yours!". It servers no useful purpose.


And do NOT get the big fat replacement for the braided strap that goes from the head to the firewall. A braided strap is what you want there, not a heavy cable.

 

Wow great info. Thanks for taking the time to lay that all out!

 

AutoZone sells an AGM battery (Optima batteries are AGM or "Absorbent Glass Mat") as well. It's $169 for the group 34 Duralast Platinum. 925 craking amps, 740 cold cranking amps with a 115 minute reserve. If that's too expensive for your taste, get the Duralast Gold (I'm on my second one). $139 for the group 34. 1000 CA, and 800 CCA with a 105 minute reserve. Compare both of those to the regular Duralast battery - 825 CA and 660 CCA with a 115 minute reserve for $129

http://www.autozone.com/productCompa...ehicle%3Dfalse

x2 on this. I'm using the military terminals and they are a godsend.

I got my cables (4awg) from XJWonders on here. Great kit, great guy to deal with. I'm also running a 136 amp alternator with mine so the battery stays charged up quite well.

 

Yeah, they are nice, aren't they?



Ah, yes, that's the guy! Thank you; I couldn't remember who it was.

Does his kit include an upgraded B- to fenderwell cable? That's a weak spot on our beasts.

I decided to roll my own with custom cables from BestBoatWire.com. I used 8 gauge for that B- to fenderwell cable, and B+ to the PDC, then 4 gauge for the main starter cables. I got them with clear heat shrink on the terminals, so I can keep an eye on their condition. Really nice.

 

I don't mind paying the $169. I have used duralasts before without complaints. How does the Platinum compare to Interstate Mega Tron Plus which is not an AGM battery but around the same price range?

Also thanks for letting me know which user you got the cables from.

 

Yeah I love those terminals.

Yes, he includes that in the kit. Also includes a cable to replace the radio interference ground strap, but you don't have to use it.


Click for full res


Click for full res

Not sure man. If I'd have known when I did my pro-rate on my DL Gold this time around, I'd have gone with the AGM though. They don't have as much of a problem of off-gassing as traditional wet-cell batteries.

Here's some info on AGM vs. wet-cell batteries.

http://www.crownbattery.com/news/agm...u-need-to-know