09KR0058

Alternator went out on my 2010 Lariat today. Very obvious bearing noise. The battery is 6 years old, so time to replace it too. Looking for recommendations on both. Although I usually stay with OEM parts, there's no way I'm spending 500 on a new alternator from Ford. Also, I've always been a Sears Die Hard fan when it comes to batteries, but am open to other brands.

I really need to get this done tomorrow (Sunday), so I'd be shopping at local chain stores like NAPA, Auto Zone, Pep Boys...

Thanks

digitaltrucker

Buy a Ford rebuilt.

09KR0058

Where would I find this on a Sunday?

digitaltrucker

No clue, dont know where you live. I only suggest getting the original rebuilt because folks have reported issues with other alts.

RLXXI

My oem battery died less than a year old, I replaced it with a Walmart battery and it's been kicking ever since. 5yr warranty as well.
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Steve83

8yr warranty on the MotorCraft TTM battery, but try the link in this caption before buying one:



If you pay for installation at a dealership, then testing any time you like & installation of replacement batteries is also covered in the 8yr warranty.

RLXXI

I wonder if you were aware that Motorcraft and Walmart batteries are made by the same company, Johnson Controls.

While some people like staying with what the truck came with and I certainly can't fault them for it, it makes no economic sense to pay more for the Motorcraft battery than Walmart's. Granted they may carry a longer warranty, how many dealers are you going to find open at 3am on a Sunday morning when the damn thing goes bad?

That exact scenario played out with me and Walmart is open 24/7 and has more stores than Ford has dealers.

Convenience and/or necessity plays a very important role in ones selection especially with batteries.

Also there are only 3 main battery makers, Excide, Delphi, and Johnson Controls that make all automotive batteries for every one.
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Steve83

Seems like we've had this conversation before...

Yes, I've read a lot of this website, including the (LOOOOONG) list of battery brands & their actual mfrs.:
http://www.batteryfaq.org/
Just for example - you left out Deka, which makes MANY very good automotive batteries, and also rebrands them for Sears & a few others. But some Sears batteries are made by JC.

But you seem to think that one company can only make one product; as if everything made by Ford is identical, regardless what badge is on the grill or fender. Like a Fiesta is the same as an F150 or a GT - they're all made by Ford, right; just with different labels? So all JC batteries must be identical, and one can't be worth more than another, or perform any differently from another. Right?

JC also makes Optima batteries - are they identical to MotorCraft? And WalMart? Are Optimas worth the same as WM batteries because they're both made by JC?

What about the MotorCraft budget battery compared to the MC TestedToughMax? Same value because they're both made by JC?

I just can't comprehend that logic.

The MC TTM, Interstate MTP, and Sears DieHard Gold (while ALL made by JC) are all substantially better batteries (and not substantially more-expensive IMO) than WM, DuraCrap, Optima, or your local parts-store brand (which are ALSO all made by JC). I, too, appreciate being able to find warranty service when I need it. But with MC TTMs, I just don't need it as much as I have with all those other brands. And THAT, to me, is worth the few extra bucks that a MC TTM costs.

YMMV

RLXXI

First of all you need to back up and chill, this thread is about batteries and alts. My Motorcraft OEM (Johnson Controls) put in on the line lasted 8 months.

The Walmart branded (Johnson Controls) made battery is going on 4 years keeping my truck rolling. My main point and 30+ years of professional automotive repair experience tells me to get what ever battery fits ones budget and schedule.

Batteries in general are a crap shoot.

Again where are you going to find a Ford dealer open @ 3am on Sunday? You won't and everyone knows it.
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sdmartin65

Curious as to where thread op bought alternator from. I myself prefer one from a parts house that will come with a lifetime warranty.

Regarding the battery I like Costco, three year free replacement warranty. They don't have test equipment so the return is very easy.