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PSA - Which Manual Should I Buy?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by timgr, Nov 27, 2016.

  1. Nov 27, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Very often we get questions here on ECJ5 that could be answered easily if the questioner had the right manual and knew where to look in it for the needed information or procedure. So, here are a few tips -

    First, the common Haynes and Chiltons manuals - like this one https://www.amazon.com/Jeep-4986-Ha...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JX5CMXV5JRKK9RZYGQWP - are of limited use. They cover way too many years and models to provide much detail, and very often they are simply wrong about the information or procedure that you might be looking for. If you've already bought one, you may find it useful for simple things like tune-up specifications and fluid capacities, but you'll still want...

    The TSM.

    Jeep calls their factory service manuals "TSMs" for technical service manual. They can also be referred to as FSMs, but Jeep called them TSMs during this era. This is the book published by Jeep Corporation for use as a reference by the line mechanics at the dealership, with the correct procedures they would use to service and repair the customers cars. In the day, they were also available for purchase by customers over the dealership parts counters.

    73ManualSmaller.jpg

    This is the 1973 TSM. Page size is 8.5"x11", and it's about 1.25" thick. Starting in 1972, Jeep published a complete volume (or a supplement) for every year of production. This book covers only the year it was printed for, and only Jeep vehicles.

    Note that these books were written for mechanics. They are the best and most authoritative source for these cars, but they won't teach you how to work on cars, or explain things the line mechanics should already know.

    You might now ask, where can I get one of these books, and how much will it cost? There are a few years online, that you can read or download. I suggest if you find the manual you need online for free, that you download it in its entirety - there is no guarantee that a free online resource will be available in the future. Look here JeepĀ® Parts Manuals online - this is the main resource for online Jeep literature and references.

    Currently you can buy a Bishko CD copy of these TSMs at RockAuto for about $25. Printed copies are also available, with different prices depending on the year - but always more than the CD. The Jeep retailers carry these manuals too.

    You might think that you can get by with a TSM that is close to the year of Jeep that you have. Maybe ... depending on how much you know about these Jeeps, you may be able to use the parts of the wrong-year manual to do what you want. But for $25, I think you want the right year. For example, there is a '74 and a '76 TSM online at the Tom Collins site. If you knew Jeeps pretty well and owned a '75, you'd know that the wiring of a '75 is more like a '76, but most everything else is the same as a '74. Most new owners would not know that... Also, the safety and emissions standards were changing rapidly in the '70s, and changes in fuel, emissions and exhaust could be significant from year to year. So there are good reasons to purchase the TSM for your year.

    The only complaint I've heard about these reproductions of the TSMs is in the transfer quality ... sometimes the pictures are not as clear as in the originals. If you want an original manual, they come up on eBay pretty often, and this company Faxon | Shop Manuals for Car & Truck Owners | DIY Service, Repair or Maintenance carries both original manuals and repops.

    Other Books You Might Want

    From Jeep, the original owners manual could be useful, and has a certain nostalgic appeal. Originals can sometimes be found on eBay or at Faxon, or the Jeep retailers have repops of some of the years.

    The factory parts books can be very helpful. Paper reprints of some of these are available from the Jeep retailers, but they are quite expensive (ca $100). There is an '80s parts book online at the Tom Collins site I linked above, but the transfer is rather poor - the pictures won't help you much. RockAuto also lists parts manuals on their site, but be careful that the manual you buy covers the years you are interested in. There are lots of mistakes in the online listings at RockAuto, and the parts manual listings have not escaped.

    The parts manuals show you two main things. First, they have helpful drawings that show the parts in proper relationship to each other. Then, what I use mine for all the time is to make sure I get the right parts when I buy online. Look up the correct Jeep part number for the part you want, and use that to search.

    There are other Jeep or automotive books that may be of interest, like Moses Ludel's "Jeep Rebuilder's Handbook" which I do not own but have heard good things about. Tom Monroe's "Engine Builder's Handbook" discusses engine rebuilding in general, and may be of interest if that's part of your plans. If you need general education about cars, the text books for trade school automobile mechanics may be of interest. For that, I suggest you check your local used book store or online used book sites like Alibris or Amazon, since you don't need the latest copy if you want to repair 30-40 year old cars!

    Jeep Cj Rebuilder's Manual, 1972-1986: Mechanical Restoration, Unit Repair and Overhaul Performance Upgrades for Jeep Cj-5, Cj-6, Cj-7, and Cj-8/Scrambler: Moses Ludel: 9780837601519: Amazon.com: Books

    Engine Builder's Handbook: Tom Monroe: 0075478012459: Amazon.com: Books

    https://www.amazon.com/Automotive-T...480278898&sr=1-12&keywords=automotive+science
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2016
  2. Nov 27, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Excellent write up Tim.

    After hanging out at Nickmil's and looking through his service manual, I was convinced that I needed to get one.

    No regrets.

    I bought a 1975 reprint from faxonautoliterature.com.
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Nov 27, 2016
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I've had this manual since 1980 or so, same as Fockers.
     
  4. Nov 27, 2016
    PGHCJ5

    PGHCJ5 I smell something broken...

    'yinzertahn
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    Nice write up. May I suggest creating a sticky for this thread? Very helpful, especially for intermediate owners....
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2016
  5. Nov 27, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    It needs to be more global than just the intermediate section. It's been added to the Technical Index found --> Click Here
     
  6. Nov 27, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    I was thinking of adding resources for the earlier manuals too, but I'd have to do more research for that. If other users want to add something about where to get the manuals for pre-72, that could be helpful. I know that there were two reprints that were easily available, one for the 3B and F134 5 and 6, and another for the Dauntless models. There appears to be a 71-ish parts manual available too, looking at RockAuto (though it's incorrectly included in listings for 1972 and 1973 V8 CJ-5s).
     
  7. Nov 27, 2016
    Dphillip

    Dphillip Member

    Omaha NE
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    image.jpeg
    I found this little manual in a junk yard about 20 years ago. It's has every torque specification for every nut and bolt on CJ's Wagoneers and trucks. It even has a chart on Amser AMX 386S Mobile CB tester, what ever that is? It's been invaluable over the years.
     
    timgr likes this.
  8. Nov 28, 2016
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    Sticky vote.

    When I undertook the rebuild I didn't really have any knowledge of these vehicles, the TSM is a lifesaver as is the parts diagrams. I often refer to the TSM first before asking questions here. I like the fact that they often explain how it works and not just how to repair it.
     
  9. Nov 28, 2016
    rusty

    rusty Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Tim.
     
  10. Nov 28, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    DPhilip points out what was seen as a gap in the information in the TSMs. That little book gathers all the specifications into a handy reference. For the line mechanic, it would be very convenient to have the tune-up specs and torque specs in a compact reference, so they did not have to thumb through each chapter in the big book. But everything in there should also be present in the big book, if you can find it.
     
  11. Dec 3, 2016
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    I bought the 53-71 Service manual and Service manual on ebay for about $60. The parts book came from walcks iirc.
    The service manual has some advance adapters info in the back aswell.
    I bought a .pdf manual for my YJ on Tradebit.com and they have manuals for CJ's too.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  12. Feb 2, 2017
    Dauntless1971

    Dauntless1971 Member

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  13. Feb 2, 2017
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks timgr
    just bought a manual from Faxon for my 73. I had looked at several sites, but hadn't found one.
    thanks for the listing:)
     
  14. Feb 2, 2017
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    I can't speak highly enough of Faxon's. He's here in my hometown.
    I've sold him manuals, I've toured his wherehouses.
    I believe he has two book mobiles now and hits all the So Cal car shows, swap meets, Pomona etc etc.
    The only thing you may not like is the price, but this gent truly has manuals for all makes and all models back into the teens.
     
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  15. Feb 10, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    I vote Sticky.
     
  16. Feb 10, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    This thread can be accessed through the Technical Index page.
     
  17. Mar 4, 2017
    Chuck Tom

    Chuck Tom New Member

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    Thank you! I'm one of those guys who bought the Haynes and Chilton manuals. I noticed as I was reading it was quite limited for my year. This is a godsend thank you again!
     
  18. Jul 23, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

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    I know this is an older thread but I just ordered the 1975 TSM on CD from Faxon. Unfortunately they're out of the printed manuals, but the CD is a little cheaper anyway. Thanks for this resource.
     
  19. Jul 23, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

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  20. Jul 23, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    This is awesome! Do you have downloadable PDF versions of those?
     
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