Merry Christmas to me

[Ziggyman]

So I wake up this morning and jump in the truck and get the slow crank, crap. So I throw it on the charger and take off in the car. Get back from lunch and the batteries seem to have been charged good, so I try to start it again, no dice. I can tell by watching others vidoes that my starter is seeming to start to go bad, but I've been wondering about my batteries ever since I picked my truck up in June. Since I can get batteries cheaper than a starter I'm going to replace them first. My question is should I switch over to group 31's or should I stick to the 65's it came with? How will they fit in my 90?

 

[Fordsandguns]

The G31 will fit in your 90. That's what I have in my 91. You should loosen the battery boxes and slide them down as far as they can go. On the passenger side you may have to move the harness to get all the room you need.
I also have a piece of thick heat shrink i keep on top of the positive terminal just in case the battery jumps or something that might cause it to short on the hood.
A little more work than just dropping them in but it's worth it.

 

[Fordsandguns]

Also, did you check your cables for corrosion? Also check the starter end as it can loosen off. If you charged your batteries and then didn't get at least one good spin out of them it does sound as though the starter is the culprit. If your cables check out, try boosting it. If it still won't spin decent then it is the starter. I went through the same thing a couple years ago. Everyone was telling me it was my batteries but when you have another truck trying to boost it and it still just barely moves it is kind of obvious. Switched out the starter and boom instant start.

 

[Ziggyman]

Replaced the positive cables a couple weeks ago, and it only helped a little. When I first got the truck if it sat for a couple days it was in need of a jump to start because the batteries were dead. It starts off spinning good but being as its only like 15 degrees here it doesn't want to start right off, even with a couple gp cycles. It starts slowing down like the batteries are dying. But it only happens for the first start of the day, after that she will run good all day and start back up fine.

Where should I look for the battery box adjustment? And how far down should I be able to move them?

 

[Fordsandguns]

There are a couple of bolts that hold it to the fender and it has a bracket that goes from the tray to the fender that you will ned to loosen also. There isn't much adjustment but just a quarter or maybe half an inch. mine cleared with out doing this but I figured it was peace of mind knowing I added that much more between the positive stud of the battery and the hood. There is also a lip on the tray that kind of cups the 65's. The G31's are longer and I did as another member suggested and cut notches in the lip at the end where thew G31 hangs over and bent it down as I was afraid it could possibly cut into the battery. You can get a used G31 to test fit if you want. Batteries cost so much that it would be nice to know before buying.

If it spins over fine every time when the truck is warm then it may very well be your batteries. My starter was intermittent for a short while before it decided to go full tilt into it's death throes. It would crank real slow for a couple starts and then be fine for a few and then do it again.
Hopefully replacing your batteries will solve your issue.

 

[Ziggyman]

Well the batteries tested at about 2/3 CCA so they are getting replaced. Now to find the best deal on G31's.

 

[Fordsandguns]

Glad that it will be easier for you. It's good not having to crawl under the truck when you don't have to!