Replacing your trunk-mounted battery is an easy project that takes very little time. Of course, you are dealing with batteries and electrical systems, so it is important to be careful, review proper safety procedures and manufacturer instructions. Here's how to do it: Required Tools 10mm Wrench 10mm Socket Wrench with Extension Parts List Vented, Top-Post Battery (Walmart has the best price for a heavy duty battery- $139.97 for an Everstart Maxx 7N; 790CCA. Make sure it includes a parts bag with the venting hose). Anti-Corrosion Fiber Washers Battery Terminal Protector Battery Replacement Instructions 1. Open the trunk and lift the base to expose the spare tire and battery compartment. 2. Remove the spare tire (if equipped) to gain additional battery access for safety. 3. Use the 10mm wrench to loosen the connector from the negative terminal. Carefully remove the black cable from the battery terminal and set it aside where it cannot reconnect with the battery. 4. Repeat step 4 with the connector on the positive terminal. 5. Remove the vent tube from the hole by the positive terminal. 6. Using the 10mm socket wrench with extension, remove the battery hold-down plate, followed by removal of the tie-strap that wraps around the side of the battery. 7. Being careful to avoid connecting or otherwise grounding the battery terminals, as well as to avoid any leaked battery acid or other chemicals, remove the original battery from the vehicle and dispose of it according to your local regulations. 8. Use the plug provided with the battery to close the vent port by the negative terminal, if necessary. This is the one farthest from the Challenger vent tube. For safety, be sure to leave all terminal covers on the battery until ready to connect the terminals. 9. Carefully place the new batter in the Challenger battery compartment, being careful to slide the base under the lip on the battery stand. 10. Secure the battery using the hold-down plate and tie strap. 11. Connect the vent tube to the unplugged battery vent port on the positive end of the battery. You will be using the existing parts. There should be a 90* elbow connector (black plastic) that is connected to a rubber hose that passes through the floor of the trunk, to the outside...this vents the hydrogen gas out of the trunk/ interior. Push the positive cable away from the battery to get some access to push the 90* elbow connector back into the vent port. The other end of the hose passes through the battery tray and through a rubber grommet in the floor of the trunk (to outside of the body). You don't want hydrogen gas / sulfuric acid fumes building up inside the car. 12. Remove the positive terminal cover, install a positive anti-corrosion fiber washer (if desired), and connect the positive red battery cables, securing the connector with the 10mm wrench. 13. Remove the negative terminal cover, install a negative anti-corrosion fiber wash (if desired), and connect the black negative battery cable, securing the connector with the 10mm wrench. 14. If desired, spray battery terminal protector in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions – avoid inhalation and over-spray. 15. Replace the original red terminal cover over the positive terminal. If this does not fit, an appropriate after-market cover is recommended for safety. 16. Close up the trunk floor and start your car. You are done! See photos: http://vanderbiltautogroup.com/2013/03/20/challenger-battery-replacement/
One of the best values in replacement car batteries is the Ever Start Platinum battery sold by Walmart. It is made by Johnson Controls and sells for $164.86. It has 850 CCA and carries a 5-year warranty. Another good buy is the Bosch 94R battery. It has 800 CCA and a 3-year warranty. It sells for $177.99 at Pep Boys. They usually offer $20 or 30% off deals. Did you know that Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls make the majority of car batteries for other brands? For example, Johnson Controls makes batteries for: OPTIMA, Walmart, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu.Advance Auto Parts, Autocraft, Western Auto, Tough One, Alliance, American Hardware, Ames, Varta, Blains Farm & Fleet, Battery Alliance, Bosch, Carrefour(Europe), Champion, Amara Raja Batteries LTD, LTH, and Heliar.
After 6 years, I finally replaced my OEM battery with a Bosch Platinum battery (H7/L4/94R)- their best. The list price was $219.99 but I got 25% off at Pep Boys (ordered from its web site), plus there was a $10 rebate from Bosch- net cost= $155. A pretty good deal for a premium battery. The battery uses absorbed glass mat technology and is supposed to last 2X longer than a conventional battery. It has 800 CCA and 960 CA Reserve- better than the MOPAR battery. It also comes with a free replacement warranty for the first 48 months.
