Gen 1 - 12v Question

Good evening.

I am new here but I've lurked a lot recently. I have searched around, read a bunch of posts, and I am still finding myself at somewhat of a loss for a specific answer regarding the Gen 1 12v.

I don't want to beat a dead horse here because I've found a ton of posts regarding the 12v. I'm not particularly auto-inclined. I focused on computers growing up rather than helping my dad in the garage. Consequently, I've got common sense but I'm not a mechanic. I only know what I've learned from others and what little I've done myself. Nothing frustrates me more than something being a pain my backside -- and this battery situation has become that for me. A big part of that stems, however, from the fact that I don't feel I know enough to be confident in a solution (even after reading).

Ultimately, though, for a 2003 - Gen 1:

1. Is there a specific battery other than the stock Toyota battery that will fit and work without any (or very, very minor) modification?

2. In answering this question, is there anywhere that I can find something less than $200 that is safe, isn't going to blow up, give off fumes that will kill me or my passengers, or that I have to pour water into?

I kind of feel like the answer is already apparent -- we either pay $200+ for a stock battery or we have a "rig" something to work. I don't mind the rigging part but my family does. If someone can give me specific advice, I'd feel a lot better today.

Thanks -- and I'm sorry for repeating this question. I'm just hoping I'll either get a better answer than I've seen thus far or get confirmation of my initial inkling.

 

Thanks for your replies!

I tried to do my due diligence and call. The dealership closest to me was $235 -- which is pretty good compared to some of what I've heard. The next two closest were $255 and $285 respectively.

I'm totally up for a non-stock battery but I want to feel safe in what I've chosen. I realize that no solution is 100% (even with the stock batteries given that some of them are seemingly duds) but I want the best bang for my buck.