I’m curious as well

 

Physically both would probably work (with some fiddling 26R is pretty short and so the hold down strap may need to be modified or a block of wood placed there) but you won't know til you actually try it...............are +ve and -ve terminals on the same end as the the grp 35? Do you know why the big price difference?

 

installed 24F battery in a 2004 Corolla

After almost 8 years, the battery in the Corolla finally bit the dust (unless a parasytic drain developed overnight). I went crazy and bought a group 24F even though the car requires a group 35 battery (some quick forum search indicated it fits, but tight). I installed it, but I'm not crazy...

bobistheoilguy.com

seems like 24f won’t work too well due to rubbing with the upper radiator hose

 

I’m gonna try this later today and will post results

 

I am going to install an EverStart Maxx 24F Sunday (today is Friday, tomorrow is rain all day) into a 1998 Corolla. No need to worry about upper radiator hose on a '98. I believe the coolant reservoir filler neck is the potential obstacle. It will be tight.

Wonder why Walmart has no Maxx 35s in stock. All the other parts stores have plenty of group 35 batteries (value, mid, and high grade). Probably the fact that the price is much cheaper and the 35 is a popular battery. I know two Walmarts near me had a few 35 Maxx batteries last month. If I only knew then.

 

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

I went with the Group 26R battery. The R means the battery posts are reversed from the Group 26 battery, and the same as the Group 35 battery.

The battery hold down bar was now too high. I tried various blocks of wood, but none of them worked. I tried ripping an old towel and using various combinations of strips, until I found the right thickness.

This does not look elegant, but it works just fine. 😀
.

 

That's why I went with 24F. It's basically the same height as a 35. The 24F is easier to fit in a 1998. Radiator hose is not in the way, but I would just use some pipe insulation to prevent battery from rubbing hose.