GW References?

[Frank]

I just got myself a copy of the Haynes book on FSJ's and find it truly helpful for some items which I will address. Aside from bonafide dealer service manuals (which will set me back $$ and probably not be used to their fullest by me), are there any other manuals or references which are 'required reading'? This list comes to mind right off...
Frank
'88 GW, pretty much stock...

[Ralph]

I've used that manual almost exclusively, although I did buy two other Haynes manuals recently, for suspension/drivetrain and heating/air conditioning. What I haven't learned from that J-Series manual, I've learned mostly through this website, although I've been working on cars and other mechanical stuff since I was a kid. (The only things I'm still lost about are welding and working on automatic trannies.)

The main thing is to be fearless about your ability to do a particular job. If the meatheaded grease-monkeys at your local garage can become certified mechanics and charge $50/hour, then you can at least learn to work on your own vehicle.

P.S. This '88 Grand Wag is by far the most difficult vehicle I've ever owned in terms of working on it, largely because of the lack of room to get to things, and all the emissions junk and vacuum lines that are a pain to keep working properly. I had a '79 Ferrari 308 GTS for a while, twin-cammed and with three 2-bbl Weber carbs -- by far the easiest car I've ever worked on (except tuning those carbs was tricky). Those Italian guys knew someone would have to work on it eventually. In contrast, I think AMC/Jeep planned for their upscale customers to return to dealer mechanics, so they could keep up with all the recall notices!

[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited July 20, 2000).]

[JERRY88GW]

I just ordered a new set of dealer service manuals for my 88 GW last week (1 800 458 2734). The total was $120 something. But it's 4 different manuals; engine/drive-train, body, wireing and trans overhaul. The most expensive being the engine/drive-train $60.

I too thought it to be expensive, but for the detail, diagrams and PICTURES you can't beat it. Plus, I plan on keeping my GW for as long as I can. It will pay off for me. But if you plan selling your gw sometime in the near future, it might not be that great. Up to you.

I also have the haynes and a HUGE chiltons manual. The chiltons covers like a decade of Grand and the small wagoneer, plus cherokees. To much info, I could never find what I needed. The haynes if far superior for simplicity and pics. But the haynes is not very dechnical in my opinion.

Jerry

[This message has been edited by JERRY88GW (edited July 20, 2000).]