I know there have been many discussions on this subject, but I thought I would post an install I did today on my 97 XJ. LOTS of opinions on battery choices, but I settled for a choice I feel works best for me. My XJ is basically a hanger queen, rarely driven, it sits in a climate controlled garage year round. Trailered to Silver Lake Sand Dunes this year once, and that's it. After researching info on AGM units, I decided to go that route, till I discovered finding a parts house in this area that actually stocks one is tough. I decided to do what I've done for 30 plus years, with no regrets or ever an issue, I went with my best friends multi location shops have sold for 30 years,,Interstate. The Interstate Warehouse also didn't have the AGM group 34 I wanted, so I went with the best 1000 CCA 48 month group 34 battery that is always in stock at near every location. I know the pro and con arguments out there, but what good is your "blown and Injected" high powered battery if it fails,,, and you cant get a replacement, especially on a trail ride in the boonies. I've gotten an earful from lots of Optima users,,very disgusted with the red and yellow tops the last few years. EVERYONE sells Interstate. Good cables and a high powered alternator goes a long way if you need to winch yourself out of a jam. Makes sense to put your money in that area first.





The argument will continue I'm sure.
As far as battery tray, I simply pulled mine out, used a bench grinder and took the lip off the engine side of the tray. That's it. Stock hold down fit as the factory correct Group 58 did, battery cleared the A/C compressor, no issues what so ever. Even found a way to retain the hold down "T" bolts from dropping down during installs as the factory retaining nuts were broken. I used the cut off grommet area from old valve stems, slid down over the T bolts and they held them perfectly. See attached pics.