Battery Size

[oldretiredafguy]

Just changed out the battery in our 2016 Yukon. Did the standard thing and bought a new NAPA AGM 94R, same size as the battery in the vehicle. Didn't realize you have to not only remove the rear cross brace, but also remove the overflow tank. To get the overflow tank out you have to remove the air box, and also move the front cross brace. I would sure like to get ahold of the GM engineering group that allowed this POS design. Then the old came out and the new one in. Took my mechanic 45 minutes to do this, as at my age I can't even lift the battery. Took the core back to NAPA, and as the counter guy was moving the core out of the front foot well, I commented about how much of a PITA it is to change the battery. THEN he tells me that a lot of people, including his commercial Tahoe customers, are using a size 48 battery. Not quite as long or as wide or as tall as the 94, and you don't have to diassemble half the frapping engine compartment to change it out.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Good to know, and thank you for your service.

 

[WingsAA]

You don't have to remove the reservoir or airbox. Remove the cross-brace and after disconnecting the battery simply lay it on it's side and tilt it up and it will come out. Reverse the process for install. Slide battery in on it's end sideways, lay it down then turn it up from it's side to the bottom.

 

[oldretiredafguy]

Thanks. Not sure this technique would work with a conventional flooded battery. I would hate to have battery acid dripping into the engine compartment. Now, if you were exchanging an AGM battery for another AGM there wouldn't be a problem with acid.

 

[Trides]

Thanks. Not sure this technique would work with a conventional flooded battery. I would hate to have battery acid dripping into the engine compartment. Now, if you were exchanging an AGM battery for another AGM there wouldn't be a problem with acid.

Here is how to replace step by step

 

[MobileHomie]

I too would like to wish a pox on the engineers that designed this battery configuration.
Just replaced the battery in my '17 Denali.
What a pain in the A**!
Took just over an hour, dark, cold and windy, felt like I was working at night with sunglasses and mittens on.

 

[swathdiver]

I too would like to wish a pox on the engineers that designed this battery configuration.
Just replaced the battery in my '17 Denali.
What a pain in the A**!
Took just over an hour, dark, cold and windy, felt like I was working at night with sunglasses and mittens on.

The same guys who designed the battery location for our Pontiac Montana!

The battery is on the bottom left of the screen! I guess he got yelled at and did a better job with yours! hahaha

 

[BeenChevy]

Ha too funny. Ran into this swapping the 94 in this fall. Got it in by standing it on end and sliding the bottom out and in place. Thank God for Legos as a kid.

 

[Doubeleive]

Don't forget they also provided a large vertical welding post so you can have some light to see in the dark!
and what kind of moron puts numerous non-replaceable fuse's on top of the battery?, for reference that top plate is over $100 to replace so if you burn 1 fuse out the whole thing has to be replaced.

 

[oldretiredafguy]

Don't forget they also provided a large vertical welding post so you can have some light to see in the dark!
and what kind of moron puts numerous non-replaceable fuse's on top of the battery?, for reference that top plate is over $100 to replace so if you burn 1 fuse out the whole thing has to be replaced.

Sort of like the engineering team that put the battery in that location?

 

[hillstrubl]

In my 2011 Tahoe (GMT900) I read that OEM was 94R but had an group 48 in it. I replaced with a 94R (had to get the coolant overflow tank out of the way) but unfortunately it still "spills" off of the tray slightly. It is TIGHT in there. The group 48's slightly smaller dimensions definitely were a better fit. Yes I have 60 more CCA but if I did it again I'd do a 48.

 

[Geotrash]

In my 2011 Tahoe (GMT900) I read that OEM was 94R but had an group 48 in it. I replaced with a 94R (had to get the coolant overflow tank out of the way) but unfortunately it still "spills" off of the tray slightly. It is TIGHT in there. The group 48's slightly smaller dimensions definitely were a better fit. Yes I have 60 more CCA but if I did it again I'd do a 48.

I didn't have any trouble getting a new 94R into our 2018 by laying it on its side, as others have suggested. The factory flooded battery didn't leak a drop when I laid it on its side to get it out, either. Took 10 minutes max to do the swap.

 

[hillstrubl]

I didn't have any trouble getting a new 94R into our 2018 by laying it on its side, as others have suggested. The factory flooded battery didn't leak a drop when I laid it on its side to get it out, either. Took 10 minutes max to do the swap.

I assume you meant a non-flooded 94R? Even if I laid this one I bought on its side (I wouldn't do that with a flooded battery) you'd have to change around the battery tie down(s) (not use the factory one) but you'd still have the same issue with length where it sits on top of the right side (aka front of tray) lip.

 

[Geotrash]

I assume you meant a non-flooded 94R? Even if I laid this one I bought on its side (I wouldn't do that with a flooded battery) you'd have to change around the battery tie down(s) (not use the factory one) but you'd still have the same issue with length where it sits on top of the right side (aka front of tray) lip.

View attachment 440507

Ah, I can see where you would conclude that from my post. Sorry for not being more clear. I only meant turning the battery on its side to get it in/out. I set it back upright once I got it in there.

Side note: mine is a 2018 Suburban 3500HD, so it came with two flooded lead acid (not AGM) batteries from the factory.

 

[MrMonte]

By removing the support bars around the battery you can easily pull the battery up & out. Makes for an easy swap. I ended up installing a H8/49 battery which is bigger so I did remove the bolts to the radiator overflow so I could slide it over but did not remove it.

 

[BeenChevy]

Agreed with installing the larger H8/49. Didn't have to remove the rad overflow bolts but did have to turn the batt on its side to install. Will probably have yo pull the 6.2 to ever get it back out.