Working on my 2017 Ram Promaster 2500

[Jess from VA]

So yesterday, I washed it, which requires working from an 8 foot step ladder to get the roof, which is flat and corrugated and gets filthy with crud.   No garage, and even if I did, it would not fit inside most garages at 8 foot, 8 inches high.

When the sun went down enough to give shade, I waxed it the first time in 8 years.  The dang thing is titanic and you could do 3 cars in less time (I did not do the roof though; I'm not getting on it or working from a ladder).  I did use an easy on/off creme, not a paste wax.  I have a good buffer, but throwing that thing around is harder than taking your time manually.  I got good use out of my new lightweight aluminum folding bench, so no working overhead and on tiptoes.

Now the 2017 battery is the original and while I usually wait till one fails before replacing (not on my bikes), it was long overdue.  It does not go under the little hood, it goes under a panel on the driver's side floor.  And it's a monster which weighs about 60lbs.  The dealer want's $5-600 to replace it with a Mopar, and screw that.  So today I got the best platinum auto parts lead acid 4yr warranty (not AGM) for $250.  Something I didn't know is that many auto parts will install their batteries free; but they will not get inside any customer car (not complexity, lawyers and liability).  Even though the whole job can be done standing outside the drivers door leaning in, but they won't do it.  So I had to. 

I've changed many batteries, but not this one, so I did a Harry Homeowner and watched a couple Utubes and decided I could do that.  Getting the old one out and the new one in at 60 lbs was fun and the hardest part of the job.  A little more complicated with hookups and vent hose, but done in 30 minutes.  The Utubes showed all work done standing outside the door, but I got on the seat to lift the old one out and new one in (at 5'9" and 72, the more prudent way to go).

I knew the dang ICU would forget all existing settings after the swap, and I suck at that stuff, but I managed to reset the clock and door locks (a small miracle).

The thing only has 17K miles on it and looks nearly new except for some little rock chips up front.

The cooler weather has me out doing things I just won't do in summer heat.
 

[GiG]

“today I got the best platinum auto parts lead acid 4yr warranty (not AGM) for $250.”

AGM practically dominates the lead acid market these days. They are easily available, cost competitive &
May be the ideal solution for your remote access application :  - maintenance free, no adding electrolytes
- closed system, goodbye pesky vent tube, gas is absorbed internally (AGM) - just a friendly tidbit from a bored Battery Engineer

[Robert]

If you have power windows you need to reset them if they have automatic on them, and most do. Just run the windows up and down all the way and hold the switch for a few seconds on each position and you should be good to go. Sometimes you will need to drive a bit if there are warning lights on the dash. They should go out automatically, but sometimes they want you to register the battery change with the car. Not  a big deal but a maintenance issue.

[Jess from VA]

“today I got the best platinum auto parts lead acid 4yr warranty (not AGM) for $250.”

AGM practically dominates the lead acid market these days. They are easily available, cost competitive &
May be the ideal solution for your remote access application :  - maintenance free, no adding electrolytes
- closed system, goodbye pesky vent tube, gas is absorbed internally (AGM) - just a friendly tidbit from a bored Battery Engineer

Gig, it's not like I ruled AGM out, rather it's just that this Autozone's best battery in stock wasn't one.  AGM is touted as longer lasting than regular lead acid too.  But I was doing this job today, not when some battery got delivered to the store later.  

And this particular auto parts store has the most knowledgeable auto guys of all my local stores.  They have real car guys, not just parts sellers.  So they get most of my business.  

And I am not a big fan of Walmart, and hate Costco.  Most of the time I go to them in my very populated area, it's like a day at Tiger Stadium.  

(I attended many games at old Briggs Stadium, but never been to the new one as I was away in the Air Force, and Virginia)

[scooperhsd]

Jess - for all you (and the other guys) give me grief about my VW diesels , the one thing that is generally pretty easy to do on them is changing the battery for a new one. They're all under the hood in a reasonable easy to access location. The battery hold down bolt can sometimes be a B*tch to put back in, but otherwise not too bad to do.

[Jess from VA]

Jess - for all you (and the other guys) give me grief about my VW diesels , the one thing that is generally pretty easy to do on them is changing the battery for a new one. They're all under the hood in a reasonable easy to access location. The battery hold down bolt can sometimes be a B*tch to put back in, but otherwise not too bad to do.

I don't remember giving you grief about your VW diesels, but if I did I apologize.   

My very first car was a pretty reliable 40HP VW, and I couldn't wait to get rid of it to get Detroit muscle, but the next several I got were old tired beaters and far from reliable.

The older I get, the more I worry about about making things worse by attempting my own repairs (like an old woman).  I am no trained mechanic or carpenter or plumber, but I'm not without skills and tools and when I spend time studying the problem and solution (instead of worrying), I often do just fine.  But sometimes I make things worse anyway.    

[Jersey mike]

At 60lbs that had to be a pretty big battery.

[Hook#3287]

I thought we were boycotting Autozone?  Yeah, that was a long time ago, but I still do.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,49888.0.html

Jess, that van of yours is huge.  Let's see, 8 years since you did it, so another 8 + 72 = , yeah, probably last time your doing that.

[Serk]

My almost 20 year old Acura has had multiple batteries, an alternator, a Helicoil on a blown cylinder, a replaced transmission, 3 replaced window lift actuators and I'm sure a whole lot of other things...

Almost a quarter million miles, still my daily driver.

It gets "washed" when it rains.

I intentionally drive it through the trees at my property to scratch it up as much as possible.

The door locks don't even work anymore, I obviously never lock it.

People are a lot less reluctant to cut me off in traffic...    

I've been telling her lately next major $$$issue$$$ and I'm calling the Kars for Kids folks and sucking it up and getting something newer.

...which much to the spousal unit's chagrin I'll immediately drive through the woods to christen.

[GiG]

:cooldude:regular lead acid too.  But I was doing this job today, a, it's like a day at Tiger Stadium.  

(I attended many games at old Briggs Stadium, but never been to the new one as I was away in the Air Force, and Virginia)

Day game today at Comerica vs Mets, first pitch at 1. It’s a beautiful modern park with some throwback 
Design hints to old Tiger Stadium.
Grew up near the old stadium, family had several businesses along Trumble, restaurants & parking lots. Tons of memories & wild stories!

[Jess from VA]

Grew up near the old stadium, family had several businesses along Trumble, restaurants & parking lots. Tons of memories & wild stories!

       

(Grew up Downriver on Grosse Isle.  During the riots, they swung the bridges so no one was getting off or on.  Long time ago.

[Rams]

So yesterday, I washed it, which requires working from an 8 foot step ladder to get the roof, which is flat and corrugated and gets filthy with crud.   No garage, and even if I did, it would not fit inside most garages at 8 foot, 8 inches high.

SNIP

The cooler weather has me out doing things I just won't do in summer heat.

I'm glad to read this and only have one question.   Where's the line start, I want to be first in line so I can learn the washing/waxing thing from an experienced person. 

Rams

[3fan4life]

I thought we were boycotting Autozone?  Yeah, that was a long time ago, but I still do.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,49888.0.html

Jess, that van of yours is huge.  Let's see, 8 years since you did it, so another 8 + 72 = , yeah, probably last time your doing that.

I'm still boycotting Autozone!

[3fan4life]

Jess,

I have found Rural King to be a great place to buy batteries.

It looks like they have an AGM to fit you van for $175 and a standard lead acid for $130.

It looks like your nearest store is in Front Royal, VA.



I know that it's too late now, I couldn't resist busting your chops a little and letting you know that you could've saved a few $$. 

[Jess from VA]

Jess,

It looks like your nearest store is in Front Royal, VA.

I know that it's too late now, I couldn't resist busting your chops a little and letting you know that you could've saved a few $$.  

Mark, it would be an unpleasant drive in heavy traffic on I-66 for several hours to and from Front Royal.

The $250 I paid is OK (5 minutes from my house), and better than the $5-600 from the Ram dealer.  

And they don't mind making you sit around half the day to do any work at all, even an annual inspection.