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08-30-2003, 12:28 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: KBAD-Bossier City LA
Posts: 7,487
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Mechanic's shop manual?
Where can I get a shop manual for my Jeep Cherokee? I know I can get one from the dealership, but I don't want to pay the exorbitant mark-up of the dealership. I found a site "books4cars.com and in doing a search there for Jeep Cherokee 1987, I get a bunch of books. As a rookie mechanic, I don't know what to look for. Where;s a good place to get a good manual for all the stuff on my Jeep, inside and out? And what should I expect to pay?
Thanks
Dave
Vehicle specs:
87 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
4.0L 6cyl
3" lift w/ 31x1050
automatic
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08-30-2003, 01:38 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Newport News, VA
Posts: 1,510
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There's two decent service manuals available: Chiltons, and Haynes. Either should be available at your local bookstore, or parts store (Autozone, Pep-Boys, etc.) for your vehicle make/model.
From what I've seen, Chiltons is normally better, but both are alright for guiding you through basic/intermediate maintenance.
Last edited by Thud; 08-30-2003 at 01:41 AM.
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08-30-2003, 06:48 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: St Louis, MO, USA
Posts: 1,702
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Dave, the ones Thud mentioned should cover most things a "rookie mechanic" will want to take on - but if you want a real shop manual... Helm Publishing.
They're the folks that publish for most manufacturers - and BTW, they set the prices, we don't even handle books at the dealership, we simply refer folks to Helm. So there is NO dealer mark-up involved, these things are just costly - as are most quality products...
Remember, these books not only have more info, but they're made of high quality paper, designed to withstand daily use by multiple mechanics with dirty hands! Chilton also makes high quality pro manuals, but you won't find those on the parts house shelf...
Frankly, I wouldn't recommend any of the pro stuff anyway, just posting the info. These books are written on a totally different level!!
Last edited by Ed_S; 08-30-2003 at 07:18 AM.
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08-30-2003, 09:31 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: KBAD-Bossier City LA
Posts: 7,487
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They are written in a way that a rookie wouldn't understand? I was looking for something that has beeter pics and better descriptions than the Chiltons and Haynes. Are they the best for rookies?
Thanks
Dave
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08-30-2003, 10:20 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,119
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I purchased a manual for my new Dodge on CD---it was 20$ compared to 110$ for the paper version, came from the dealer, bought it for reference since I have many years of warranty to go thru first...
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08-30-2003, 11:20 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: St Louis, MO, USA
Posts: 1,702
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Dave, I don't necessarily mean you wouldn't understand them, but you might find them frustrating. I certainly do - but remember, I'm in parts, not service. The shop manuals our service dept gets are more like technical reference books. They tend to give very good highly detailed info specific to the vehicle, but little regarding basic "how to". It's common for instructions to be like "Do _____ test procedure." and then go on to interpret the results for the given vehicle - but w/o explaining how to actually perform the procedure. Also, they reference tools & equipment that NO individual is likely to own...
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08-30-2003, 12:17 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Healdsburg, CA
Posts: 3,157
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Of the books available from auto parts stores, I would go foar the Haynes manual. They are much more in depth than the Chilton manuals. Haynes will show you how to do the hard stuff, where as the Chilton manuals will refer you to take it to qualified mechanic or not cover it at all.
If you're willing to pay the price, the Pro manuals from Helm Publishing or the dealership are the way to go.  | |
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08-30-2003, 01:03 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Jackson,MS
Posts: 1,941
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Auto Zone $ 15.00 - $20.00 Good book for novice mechanic,. Gives enough detail for keeping up your vehicle without going into details that would get you in trouble. 
Nothing insinuated, Dave
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08-30-2003, 05:37 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: KBAD-Bossier City LA
Posts: 7,487
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Hey, I am a total novice, so I need it. I am learning a lot though. Maybe enough to be dangerous?  | |
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08-30-2003, 08:49 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tomball, TX
Posts: 4
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Ebay probably has them. If not now, check it every few days. http://search.ebay.com/search/search...0&BasicSearch=
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