circa '98 battery is still good
 

My '98 has the original battery in it and since it's been sitting a lot I thought that for sure it's going to go dead on me at some inappropriate time. I got a costo special size 48 with the vent tube and installed it with no issues. I used one of the Black & Decker cig lighter chargers from walmart to keep the clock and whatnot alive while the swap happened.

Anyway, I took the original to the local auto parts store (which didn't have the size 48 battery when I looked yesterday) and they tested it and said it's perfectly good. They just used some sort of small hand tester, and I don't know how much of a load that really puts on the battery.

People say the OEM batteries suck, but this one is sure a good one. I'm going to give it to my dad to use in his tractor and we'll see how long it lasts.

yea mine is a 98, but the battery is probably from 97 or whatever...still works good.
i also had mine tested and it was good. so yea...good batteries

Hi,

Generally, the life of a Wet Cell Battery is about 5 yrs. with proper care. You may have one which lasted longer, but you're beating the odds.

In some respects, the chemistry which occurs inside the Battery makes it a sacrificial part over time - it destroys itself. Add the occaisional total discharge and the everyday stress of Temp. Swings and bumps and bruises and 5 yrs. is about as long as they usually last...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

My racing lemon battery is still good....