Question re: older vehicle maintenance...

[ret5hd]

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.

[Kali]

1. autozone has a lot of that on line

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

[KS Toronado]

4. I'll 2nd the youtube videos

[Earl_from_PA]

2. I have always used Haynes manuals

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

Most auto parts stores carry them.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. I second the recommendation of Haynes manuals.

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

[mudpuddle]

5. I always like Chilton's better than Haynes

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]

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

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

[MOMFUDSKI]

6. Check your local library

for the Chiltons and YouTube is great.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

8. Youtube

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

[SheltieLover]

9. Look online for factory service manuals.

Many are free online.

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

[Best_man23]

10. I have found factory manuals on eBay

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]

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

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 ?!!