2012 Dodge Journey Crew - Largest Battery vs Battery Tray Size

[ocabid]

Hello DJF members!  

 

First time posting here - but I've been spending hours over the past week or so getting info!  Super helpful - thank-you!  My Dad's no longer driving, so I've bought his 2012 Dodge Journey Crew - and, of course, I am now encountering the 'common' parasitic draw issue ... and need to replace a battery now in the infamous fender location - yay!  I've changed batteries before (when battery under hood & easy to reach), but my mechanical ability has generally ended there (I've been sleuthing through the forum to build my confidence up to rotate tires and do a brake pad/rotor/caliper replacement 🙂 - I haven't done that before).  By my dad's maintenance records, he's had the battery replaced twice (mid-2021 and sometime in 2018).  My question is, I know by e-catalogue look-ups, that the Journey takes a BCI Group 86 battery ... but, is there space on the tray to take a slightly larger battery (larger = more capacity to offset the parasitic drain, until I figure out 'which' issue is causing that).  I'm thinking only length-wise, not depth nor height (as from pics/vids, the hold-down looks like would restrict going 'taller').  I was hoping to go from 86/75 to 34/78 - which would be an extra 1.4" (specs below).  Has anyone had any luck going with bigger battery?  If so, what group size did you find 'fit'?   

 

I've reached out to Dorman tech support (awaiting reply) to see if they can confirm the interior dimensions on their tray option - but those rounded corners on the fender side edge are throwing me a bit :-).  If it was square, looks like would be 'easy'.

 

Grp 75/86 : Length 9.5 in / 241 mm; Width 6.8 in / 173 mm

Grp 34/78 : Length 10.9 in / 277 mm; Width 6.8 in / 173 mm

[2late4u]

welcome to the group, that said I have always just used the group 86 in my 2014 I use interstate battery and have had good luck with them, not sure if they have them there,,,I would just use the best battery and not worry about upsizing and it wold be better to check out your parasite drain go Thur the forum a lot of discussions there, biggest cause has been the Bluetooth module going bad,you can just pull a fuse to disable it,/ glove box light staying on,or the touch door handle sensors causing the int lights to come on intermittently...good luck on what you find and please report back on what you find to be your problem as well for others

[ocabid]

thank-you 2late4u for reply!  Yes, my focus at moment is new battery, then the rear brakes ... then, time for the 'hunt for parasitic drain' 🙂

[2late4u]

I am a big fan of akebono brake pads ( us made and most of the time they are the OEM pads for dodge as well) I buy them off amazon along with  rotors,,best price and selection than the local part stores

[Mcgusto82]

I had an electric draw that would kill the battery a few years ago too. 
it was the Bluetooth module.  Replaced it and the battery started working right. 

[John/Horace]

I have swapped Journey batteries more than once.  I think the pedestal is just big enough for the larger group 34/78.

However the hold down bracket probably is not.  If you have access to a welder, you may be able to modify it.

 

Another option is staying with 86 and going to a AGM style battery for approx a $100 more. Faster charging, slower discharge when sitting.

All Lexus and other luxury cars ship with them. Better for high electrical load newer cars.