Shop called, passenger side was no problem, another bolt broke on the driver side, sigh.

 

The original looks like a fog light lens... the aftermarket looks more like a spot light lens.

 

Installed new battery terminals but still getting a slow/weak start.

Gotta test the voltage on the battery in case it's not the connection...

 

How old is the starter?

 

How dare you curse like that!

But I'm not sure, think I've had the truck either 5 or 6 years now, so who knows, could be factory.

When starting I get the normal low/dead/dying battery, noise, just enough juice to turn the motor and then bam it starts (and stays running with a little help from the gas pedal) (after that it runs and idles without a hitch)

The battery terminals on the truck were always in rough shape and every so often it would induce a no start, I'd have to remove and clean and tighten (tighten also being the issue), the connectors to get good contact, the negative side wouldn't get tight so I had to use a nail to take up some space.

Started the classic theme again on Thursday afternoon, completely normal start Thursday morning, but I wasn't able to resolve it normally, had to settle for a slow/weak start, ending up cutting off the old terminals and switching the style of connector but even after that I never got a "normal" start, and while it may not be completely accurate the volt meter on the dash is lower than normal...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/a...001%7CL3*15610

That's the terminal I went with, Part # AC178/A1500101

 

Update:

Went to Advance for a battery test, they did a full diagnostic, the computer shows the charging and starter are fine, battery shows "needs charged".

Voltage after a 5 minute trip to the store was 10 and change and the CCA was less than half.

Battery is 8 years old.

 

I'd say you got your money's worth outta that battery.

 

Indeed.

New battery installed and truck is much happier!

 

Changed the oil from 10w to 5w-30 for the winter.

 

Replaced the fogged over headlights with BRAND NEW headlamps & cornering lights. Much better! Waiting for my LED lights to come in. We'll see if they throw usable light. The claim is that they will throw 150 ft further than my halogens... Sounds too good to be true.