Automobile Enthusiasts

ret5hd

(21,320 posts) Tue Mar 7, 2023, 03:01 PM Mar 2023

Question re: older vehicle maintenance...

1) 1999 Ford Ranger, 6 cyl, auto, 230,000 miles

2) 2003 Ford E350, 7.3 diesel, 260,000 miles

Both have been mechanically very well maintained, despite their looks.

What would be the best maintenance/repair manuals for this age of vehicles? Chilton? Something else?

You know…electrical diagrams, part numbers, etc, procedures/instructions for removing/replacing that hard to reach doohickey that you can’t even see up under that other stuff that you don’t really want to remove if you don’t have to.

And where would I purchase such a manual?

Thank you for any suggestions.

11 replies

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Question re: older vehicle maintenance... (Original Post) ret5hd Mar 2023 OP

autozone has a lot of that on line Kali Mar 2023 #1

I'll 2nd the youtube videos KS Toronado Mar 2023 #4

I have always used Haynes manuals Earl_from_PA Mar 2023 #2

I second the recommendation of Haynes manuals. mahatmakanejeeves Mar 2023 #3

I always like Chilton's better than Haynes mudpuddle Mar 2023 #5

+1 on the manual preference and +1000 on YouTube vids Bristlecone Mar 2023 #7

Check your local library MOMFUDSKI Mar 2023 #6

Youtube DetroitLegalBeagle Mar 2023 #8

Look online for factory service manuals. SheltieLover Mar 2023 #9

I have found factory manuals on eBay Best_man23 Mar 2023 #10

Old ??!! My newest vehicle is a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon Adventurewagen camper! TeamProg Apr 2023 #11

Kali

(55,735 posts)

1. autozone has a lot of that on line

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 03:07 PM

Mar 2023

I would say bookmark youtube videos, they can be much more helpful than paper manuals. also discussion forums for your vehicles.

KS Toronado

(19,565 posts)

4. I'll 2nd the youtube videos

Reply to Kali (Reply #1)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 03:29 PM

Mar 2023

Earl_from_PA

(118 posts)

2. I have always used Haynes manuals

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 03:10 PM

Mar 2023

https://haynes.com/en-us/

Most auto parts stores carry them.

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,922 posts)

3. I second the recommendation of Haynes manuals.

Reply to Earl_from_PA (Reply #2)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 03:18 PM

Mar 2023

If you have the money and you can find it, get the factory manual.

mudpuddle

(44 posts)

5. I always like Chilton's better than Haynes

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 03:45 PM

Mar 2023

Chilton's was more detailed and technical, but all I see these days are Haynes manuals.
Youtube is better, however. If you have a question you need answered, find a Ford truck forum with thousands of posts.
For a Ranger I am fixing for my son, I joined ranger-forums.com

Bristlecone

(10,486 posts)

7. +1 on the manual preference and +1000 on YouTube vids

Reply to mudpuddle (Reply #5)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 04:20 PM

Mar 2023

I have done things with my cars that I would have likely never attempted without a YouTube walkthrough.

MOMFUDSKI

(7,080 posts)

6. Check your local library

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 03:58 PM

Mar 2023

for the Chiltons and YouTube is great.

DetroitLegalBeagle

(2,165 posts)

8. Youtube

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 04:27 PM

Mar 2023

Chilton and Haynes are ok. For vehicles of that age, the factory manuals could probably be found online for cheap now.

SheltieLover

(59,599 posts)

9. Look online for factory service manuals.

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Mar 7, 2023, 08:53 PM

Mar 2023

Many are free online.

Same with electrical service manual, if you can find them.

Best_man23

(5,122 posts)

10. I have found factory manuals on eBay

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Mar 14, 2023, 07:18 AM

Mar 2023

I would look for listings with an actual CD-ROM or paper manual. I just did a quick search and there are multiple listings for your vehicles.

Also look at some of the online forums for information. Dealership technicians often post on those forums and they know all the tips and tricks that are NOT printed in the service manuals.

TeamProg

(6,630 posts)

11. Old ??!! My newest vehicle is a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon Adventurewagen camper!

Reply to ret5hd (Original post)

Tue Apr 11, 2023, 06:44 PM

Apr 2023

or older:

1985 ToyLotus MR2
1977 Ford F250 Highboy
1972 Triumph TR6
1971 MG B GT

2016 Kubota L2501 tractor.. does that count?

Old? Wha ?!!

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