After living with top terminal corrosion for two decades, I converted my Cherokee to side terminal.



Since both are Group 75 batteries, this was a pretty simple swap. The positive terminal was so corroded the copper wire snapped off the lead terminal several years ago. I rigged a marine terminal until the battery died this winter. The negative terminal was sound so I whittled it down with a bolt cutter and file. You can see the corrosion by the OEM top clamp.

A proper side terminal uses the flanges on the battery bottom to secure the battery, that would have required major surgery. Perhaps another time.

I have a S10 that's 5-years older than the Cherokee and I've never had a bit of corrosion. Besides the terminals are so much easier to remove/attach. The General clearly had a better idea, too bad other manufactures haven't adopted side terminal.

 

I've never had an issue with corrosion on any battery with terminals on the top. Upon installing, I smear a very thin film of die electric grease on the terminals. During oil changes or dip stick checks, if I saw any hint of corrosion, I would clean it off with a wire brush and reapply a thin film of grease.