Which modern battery for 1973 Thing?

[doublecanister]

[lqqkatjon]

I bought and installed an insterstate AGM from costco into my vw thing this spring.

it has the recessed terminals on top.. I put a cover over the positive to keep the chances of shorting out to virtually impossible. I forgot to weld in the battery lip on the replaced floor board.. so not sure if this would fit with the regular battery clamps.

it was less then $200 for the battery. It is probably overkill, but I like to know I have plenty of power. I paid more money for the AGM because I had just welded in new floor where the original lead acid caused rust and a big hole.

I have had good luck with AGM's and their longetivity. I keep them charged up.. and so far have not had a failed AGM.(my boat one is like 18 years old).

I just stored my VW thing a few weeks ago.. i put the battery tender on it the day before, and drove it to storage and switched off the battery disconnect. I am fully confident that next April I will be able to start the car right up.


Optima and oddysey batteries are nice... but you can get a standard AGM insterstae at costco that will work just as well.

[doublecanister]

Ok thanks for the reply's and you made me look again, apparently the group 42 is the correct size, although a group 41 which I think is a tad bit longer would still work,
I'm not sure where I read "group 41" was the ' supposed' correct size....
*Edit: Actually, I found "group 41" odyssey red top battery on Walmart's website for $335 (when you search by year, manufacture, model, engine)

Heiferman, Good to know on the Duracell's - I found them on Batteries Plus's website. (They have a 'buy online pickup in store' sale 20% off till Nov 18th 2025 for Duracell's)

https://www.batteriesplus.com/search?query=group+42

Olli, Thanks that was some good info, but as far as I know I have the stock battery box, the battery pan area was replaced sometime in its previous life.

I guess I was confused on the battery group number, (thanks to walmart) but it sounds like the "42" is correct.

Well price wise in my area sounds like Napa surprisingly has the better price 'off sale' but Batteries plus / Duracell's sale sounds pretty good, I'm going to check that out.


Thanks guys!

T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[Olli from NJ]

The big question is; is your battery hold down still in its' stock configuration? If it is, a Group 42 battery is correct.

The real limiting factor in choosing a different Group size will be the height of the battery. The Group 42 is short and you will be hard pressed to find another that is as short or shorter.

I am in the middle of a body off on my '74. The new floor pans that came from The Thing Shop had the battery hold downs pre-installed. They (TTS installs battery hold downs on both pan halves) were too narrow for a Group 42 so I had to remove them and weld in a new universal battery hold down "box". I now had the option of something other than a Group 42. Other than going with the Odysee PC925 and using a unique hold down for it. I couldn't find a battery that was as short as the Group 42. Yes, you can absolutely install an AGM on its' side, but that also has you installing a unique hold down and removing the factory hold down. And now you are in the $300. + battery category.
For the Thing, I will use the Group 42 from NAPA, in two of my Ghias I have Odysee PC925 AGMs. I have another car with an Optima red top. What is nice about using a Group 42 is that it only weighs 29 lbs, available at most FLAPS, and is right around $200.

[Heiferman]

AGMs are always a good idea but the Odysseys are darn expensive.
I have heard people say the Duracell AGMs give them decent service.
I just dropped a grand on a group 31 Odessey and a group 27 X2 for my offroad rig. Ouch.
I got 13 years out of my last blue top Optimas but their quality is hit or miss now. A yellow top on its side may be the way to go. I have a couple of friends who only buy those.
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- 1973 Thing, 1970 Ghia, some LandCruisers and an old Ambulance

[doublecanister]

Hey Folks,

I know this is an older thread but has anyone updated their battery in their Thing in 2025?

Looks like mine is bout to go I think it's a 2013 battery install.

Was looking at batteries and to get a "group 41" ...

Walmart has an Odessy agm group 41 for $335

Autozone has a group 42 (not sure it will work) but it's $204

Napa has a group 42 also..."the legend" says guaranteed to fit for $ 199 so group 42 may be ok?

Honestly, I've mulled the AGM type battery hoping it would eliminate the battery "smell'
I seem to have in the interior. Never used one of those but I do have a AGM battery charger now so
i'd be good there.
But dang $300 for a battery?

Any suggestions anyone?
Anyone know for sure the group 42 works??

Thanks for any input - supposed to be nice this weekend so i'm going to try to get the Thing out if I can get er' started

T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[SomeThing]

[Wildthings]

At one point I ran the side terminal equivalent of a Group 27 battery in my T-181. This gave a nice large battery without having the problem of the seat springs shorting against the positive post.

[GI Joe]

[Ron Domeck]

Horn, try moving the steering column down. 2 bolts at top and push down to put more space between the wheel and the column.

[SomeThing]

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone! I ended up with a standard battery and the Thing is once again operational. Didn't think to mount it sideways but that's a great idea!

Now I just need to figure out why the horn honks every time I turn the steering wheel to the right....

[Rev. Scott]

[Captain Spalding]

[Rev. Scott]

[hobie16]

[Captain Spalding]

For those of you not using the group 42 size battery, how are you holding the battery down?

[Wildthings]

A group 41 battery will give you an extra bit of cranking power and some extra reserve. Need to make sure it is evenly supported.

[Joe 20]

I always use Deka batteries in all my vehicles.

[Rev. Scott]

Very happy with my optima "red top". I mounted it sideways, so no potential for seat spring contact...and makes jump starting OTHER cars very easy. Cheers!
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"I haven't seen one of those since I was shootin' at 'em!"

[mondshine]

If you don't feel like using the standard Group 42 battery, here's a link to a BCI Group Chart:
https://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm

Good luck, Mondshine