Official service manual or generic?

hallb4 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:47 pm

Hey guys, I tried looking this up in the forums using the search engine but I could not find anything about it. I am a novice mechanic and I was wondering if it is worth the $70 price difference to get the official service manual over a 3rd party one from Barnes & Noble?

I had a 3rd party one for my '88 XJ and it was very useful. I am not sure what is included in the official manual that makes it so much better.

n3qik · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:06 pm

Spent the $70, one mistake on the electrical system could cost that and them some.

chetos · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:59 pm

hallb4 wrote:

Hey guys, I tried looking this up in the forums using the search engine but I could not find anything about it. I am a novice mechanic and I was wondering if it is worth the $70 price difference to get the official service manual over a 3rd party one from Barnes & Noble?

I had a 3rd party one for my '88 XJ and it was very useful. I am not sure what is included in the official manual that makes it so much better.

Where can you get one for $70.00. The ones if seen are for way over that price...thanks.

n3qik · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:13 pm

Got one from dealer for $ 106.44 w/tax for the CD.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:26 pm

Watch ebay for used ones, I got my 02 KJ factory manual for somewhere around $25-30. The factory manual is much much much better than any aftermarket book. The level of detail is so much deeper.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:34 pm

The factory manual will tell you how to take the jeep apart. The haynes manual will tell you some useful stuff, but no where near in-detail.

Saber · **Joined:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:48 pm **Posts:** 160

The haynes and chilton should give you all you need for most repairs, but if you need anything electrical they suck. There electrical schematic are poor

corwyyn · **Posted:** Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:30 am

I would go with the FSM if you can get one. I have a pdf copy of the '03 FSM and it has helped soooo much with some of the things I have had questions about doing. Not like some of the manuals from other manufacturers that look like the installation instructions for the skids and other items - lots of drawings but very little text. I hate manuals like that :evil:

hallb4 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:13 pm

Thanks for the help guys. I will add that to my list of jeep purchases!

BTW I just looked through eBay and saw some CD versions for $50 - 60 for those who asked.

Official service manual or generic?

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