kaiserslaveray Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I am getting my taxes here soon :D and have my mind set on a Comanche. I decided NOT to go with what I've grown up on, a '85 Toyota. I hope I am making the right choice :dunno: Iv'e been doing the research on what to look for and what avoid. I have been looking for a good manual as I know I'm going to have to turn the wrench a lot initially. What are you guys recommending? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I have both Chiltons and Haynes. I like the Haynes more because it cross references to other steps to perform when you are repairing/replacing parts. The Chiltons just states "remove X...reinstall X." But, I refer to both when I start to work on something I am not familar with (which is a lot.) I searched and found a Factory Service Manual (FSM) online that (supposedly) covered "84 - 87 Comanches". The years had me concerned, since the MJ started in 86. I bit the bullet and bought the FSM. Upon looking it over, it only covered the 86 models. It did not have any info about 4.0 eng. or BA10/5 trans. I returned it and got a full refund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiserslaveray Posted January 2, 2013 Author Share Posted January 2, 2013 I found a FREE Factory Service manual to years but it says 84-93... It sounds kinda weird but i downloaded it and it seems like a good manual. It has the 4cyl, V6, and 4.0 engines. its like a 366 page manual in PDF form. Can I post a 27meg file on a forum? Id be happy to show everyone what it looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 FSM. Only way to go. But each manual only covers one year. I have one for the '86, '88, 89 and 91. Pretty well covers everything. Chilton and Haynes are pretty good for reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I have the 89 FSM set. Came with 4 books. I would try to find one on Ebay, I waited and got mine for a great price in near perfect shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 This is the one I purchased. Note the years covered. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1985-1984-1987-Jeep-Comanche-Shop-Service-Repair-Manual-CD-Factory-OEM-Info-/400341476307?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item5d363623d3&vxp=mtr Where can I get one that covers the 87 MJ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 This is the one I purchased. Note the years covered. http://www.ebay.com/...63623d3&vxp=mtr Where can I get one that covers the 87 MJ? 87-90 should be the same. Except for the tranny section. My 89 set has a seperate book for the ax15 and the 90 should have ax15 info while the 87-88 should be the peugeot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 87-90 should be the same. Except for the tranny section. My 89 set has a seperate book for the ax15 and the 90 should have ax15 info while the 87-88 should be the peugeot What do the covers look like? Where did you purchase them from? (More than just ebay.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 EBay is your best bet. Occasionally you might find one locally on Craigs List, but thats rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flint54 Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I also think that the FSM is the very best manual to use. They're not cheap (like auto store manuals) but I've found them worth their weight in gold for level of accurate detail. My OEM two volume set for 1992 cost me about $75.00. I keep them behind the driver seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I see this one on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400315596505&item=400315596505&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466 It is a two volume, where the other was only one volume. It also (says it) covers 86 to 88, not like the other which was 84-87. Your thoughts? Is this what you have in your garage/shop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 The original MR 277 just covered the '86 MJ. first published in July '85. What the seller on ebay has done was take the '85, '86, '87 '88 manuals and combine them. Personally I think it's a good deal. Saves buying 4 seperate books and covers the range. The one advertised as covering '84-'87 covered both MJ and XJ. This one just covers the MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 The one marked 84-87 had nothing about the 4.0 or BA10/5 (not that I would open up a trans). I think I might contact the seller with questions and concerns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 You want the one that looks like this. All years look the same, just different colors. http://www.ebay.com/...erature&vxp=mtr Read the description close, some will show a pic of the book but it is actually a CD. Most have a book for engine, chassis, and body, and a seperate electrical manual. My 89 set also had two more books, one for the ax15 and one for the abs system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanchemodder Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 The original MR 277 just covered the '86 MJ. first published in July '85. What the seller on ebay has done was take the '85, '86, '87 '88 manuals and combine them. Personally I think it's a good deal. Saves buying 4 seperate books and covers the range. The one advertised as covering '84-'87 covered both MJ and XJ. This one just covers the MJ. Awesome. I just grabbed one off e-bay. Maybe it will help with my brake lights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Awesome. I just grabbed one off e-bay. Maybe it will help with my brake lights! Which ones did you order - the one volume or two volume? Let me know what you think of them...before I purchase again. BTW, what's the detail on your MJ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Comanchemodder, If you need electrical diagrams, download the pdf from this thread: http://comancheclub.com/topic/12083-electrical-manual/ It is for an '88 but most of the diagrams match the '87. (I found you MJ detail on another of your posts.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Keep an eye out at the swap meets too. There is always a huge booth with a ton of books. Ask them where thee Jeep stuff is. Usually, he's going to walk to the back, dust off a forgotten crate, and let you pick through. I've bought a handful locally this way. No shipping, face to face haggle. They always seem to be willing to move the lesser Jeep stuff in favor for room of others... Also, keep a sharp eye out at the junkyard. I was rifling through an XJ once and stumbled upon an FSM. I brought it up with me and put it on the counter. The guy just looked at it, looked at me, and said "Big @$$ owners manual, $5". I kept my mouth shut and gave the man my money. Rob :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Anyone that has an 87-90 Renix I recommend the 1989 set. Very complete, and well laid out. 91-92 HO, get either the 91, or 92 books The problem is with the 86's. One thing Chrysler did better than AMC was its FSM's. AMC would put out a main manual to cover the body, then each major component had its own smaller manual. So if you have an 86' MJ w/ a 2.8L & an AX-5, you'd need the brown, main MJ book + the 2.8L & AX-5 books. ^^^my recommendation would be to get those + the 1989 Chrysler set (Chrysler bought AMC in 87', but took till model year 1989' to revise the manuals.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Best answer? Get them all :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Best answer? Get them all :yes: OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder :yes: You say that like its a bad thing ;) That pic is about half of the Jeep literature collected over the years. Jeep stuff was literally 'throw away' material (slightly better than "Renault stuff") for the AMC guys years ago. One awesome AMC vender would put all the Jeep stuff he'd end up with throughout the year aside in a big box for me. Then hit me with a very fair all-or-nothing "Jim's Jeep Box Price" when I'd see him. Ended up with some very interesting stuff from that guy (thanks Jesse!!!) The rest were picked up on Ebay & car shows for $5-30 each before FSM prices went insane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 jpnjim, Let me write you a prescription for your ocd. 1. purchase a scanner. It should have a document feeder with dual sided scanning. 2. remove the binding from the books. beginning with the ones for the '87s, 3. get yourself an adult beverage. 4. begin scanning. 5. send me the files to review. 6. repeat as necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biotex Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I'll host any and all manuals on my server for you. We can password protect them, and only PM the password to members on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanchemodder Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Which ones did you order - the one volume or two volume? Let me know what you think of them...before I purchase again. BTW, what's the detail on your MJ? I picked the combined service manual on CD. Id rather have the paper ones, but the item description said it is a PDF. I figure I can get it printed and bound at Staples if I find myself using it a lot. http://www.ebay.com/itm/370395031922?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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