2016 3rd Gen Battery and Tow Package

I was surprised to see my 2016 TRD OR came with a smaller 24F battery even though it has the Tow Package. With previous 2nd Gen 2005-2015 Tacomas, the Tow Package gave you the larger 27F battery (with more cold cranking amps and reserve capacity). The 2016 still gives you the higher output 130A alternator with the Tow package.

As I was considering getting an AGM battery for my 2016, I wondered if a 27F would fit the 3rd Gen since it looks like there is reduced clearance between the battery and the oil fill neck on the engine. I had a leftover 27F battery from my 2nd Gen when I upgraded it to a 31M battery. So I decided to take the old 27F and see if it would fit.

The 27F battery does fit and the older 27F battery tray mounting lugs fit nicely into the battery base on the 2016. The clearance with the engine is less than on a 2nd Gen, but I have judged it to be adequate for me (you be the judge on your own truck).

While the 27F does fit, I do not think there is enough room for a even larger 31M battery on the 2016 truck. On my old truck I liked the 1150 cold cranking amps on the 31M Die Hard Platinum but the thing is a beast and weighs about 75 lbf. Too heavy for these trucks in my opinion.

Why would I want to replace my new stock battery? A couple of reasons, first I have not had good luck with OEM batteries including Toyota. They seem to die too early and without warning. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery is no fun. In addition, the common wet cell flooded lead acid batteries are killed by vibration and shock. I do a lot of off-roading and have known of batteries that have shorted out and died suddenly from the impact of bottoming out on a bump. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries such as Odyssey, Optima, Die Hard Platinum, Northstar, etc. can withstand off-road shock and vibration and will not leak acid when tipped to high angles (and can even be mounted upside down). So I like to run AGM batteries in my off-road vehicles (There is a Group Buy going on Northstar AGM batteries BTW).

Comparison of 24F and old junk 27F batteries and tray sizes. The old 27F tray is nasty and has seen acid leaked onto it, I will get another with the new battery.





2016 battery mounting base



An old junk 27F mounted in 2016 Tacoma





Just for reference, here is a larger 31M mounted in 2006 2nd Gen.

 

Batteries seem to be sacrificed with these latest redesigns. I'm sure it's difficult to fit things in the engine bay with all the safety design requirements and electronic widgets. Airflow must come into play too. I bet weight is a huge factor too. But with all the electronics, it sure seems like one of those things that should be bumped up and not downgraded. Especially with something like a tow or similar package that adds more electrical demand.

 

Good info, thanks!
Is the 27F battery tray in your photo's plastic? How well does it last?

Would be nice to have the larger tray made of some type of metal.

 

Both the 27F and stock 24F trays are plastic. The 27F tray pictured had over 300k miles on it and is still perfectly functional, it just looks bad from having acid leaked on it.

 

Fwiw optima isn't as great as they used to be. Quality has really gone down hill

 

put a piece of Arma flex pipe insulation under the battery,will help with the off road abuse!!

 

Huh I have had nothing but good luck with the oem batteries. My original battery in my 05 lasted 9 years before it needed replacing and it was a very slow, progressive downward slide. I knew it was coming. I'm likely going to mount a winch in this truck as soon as someone cones out with the hidden winch mount in the stock bumper. Hopefully there will be an easy dual battery setup by then.

 

Did your battery see much daily cold in winter or heat in summer? I has a Toyota Sequoia battery die in 12 months without warning.

 

Well not too much as I live in San Francisco. The weather here is pretty moderate. But 9 years regardless of weather is pretty good. I didn't replace it with oem of course, but if you look, at least here, a replacement oem battery comes with a 5 year warranty.

 

When you installed the 27F battery, did you use the hold down bracket and hooks from the 2nd gen, or did the 3rd gen hold-down work? I'm trying to figure out what I need to order to install a 27F in my 3rd gen. I too was surprised by the 24F battery in the TRD 3rd gen.

I don't trust the stock battery, as it doesn't seem to hold voltage after last winter. I serviced it (with distilled water) and "reconditioned" via CTEK charger for a few days. After sitting over night, the voltage drops to 12.3 from 12.8 after charge. I've been driving around with a jump battery in the passenger compartment just in case.

 

I used the stock hold down. I believe it is the same for 24F or 27F. I am running a Northstar 27F.

 

has anyone found any issues running a dual battery off the factory alternator?
Wondering if the one factory can put out enough power to charge both.

 

That's awesome. That's the exact battery I want to run too. Thanks!
Any chance you have the part number for the Toyota 27F battery tray?

 

Any luck finding the 27F battery tray part number?

 

Yes

74431-0C020

I got it for $33 shipped at http://oemgenuineparts.com/

 

Thanks. Did you go with the Northstar 27F? I'm going to try 1 for both my house and car battery.

 

I put in a 700 CCA Interstate battery, same size 24F, OEM was 585 CCA. Both are Johnson control, better piece of mind having a little more cranking power with the additional amp and sub. Also, having your car battery die in the most austere places can be a royal pain. Battery was $94.00.

 

Yes I'm waiting for the tray to come in. In the mean time, it's sitting on the charger

 

Got the Tray. The idiots sent it in an envelope instead of a box and it is warped but it's the right size

 

What is the reserve capacity of this battery? I wanted to improve both CCA and reserve capacity. The Northstar AGM-27F almost doubles the factory in both of these metrics. If we can fit 31M in 3rd gen, I would have gone with that. Going with AGM allows you to draw the battery down 400+ times without issue. The flooded battery will die after 1 or 2 major power draws. IMO, the AGM gives piece of mind. I also weighed the difference between the two and decided to go the more expensive route:

20% improvement for $100 (is this really worth the money when factory offers 84 month warranty)
or
100% improvement for $300 (worth the money but expensive)