Acquiring literature for my '84 Bronco II.

[Hoosierman]

So this year I am going to aggressively tackle a lot of the issues with the BII as I'll have more time... Knock on wood.

I have the following literature:
1984 Bronco II Electrical & Vacuum troubleshooting manual (green)
1984 Ranger & Bronco II Truck Shop Manual (there appears to be two different versions, mine has the image of both trucks on the front)
1983 thru 1992 Ford Ranger & Bronco II Haynes Automotive Repair Manual

I am familiar with Chilton and I see Clymer offered a book too.

I'm all for acquiring everything that I can, but I'm trying to condense it down for now. What other valuable piece of service literature would be recommended going forward?

Thanks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Not do or die but neat to have:

1984 Ford Ranger and Bronco II Do-It-Yourself Service & Maintenance Book Manual | eBay

Basically think of it is a kind of a Chiltens or whatever but made by Ford. Not quite as in depth but they also have part numbers for like bulbs by application/location and whatnot.

 

[RobbieD]

What other valuable piece of service literature would be recommended

You've got a great foundation of lit with what you've listed as having already.

Has yours been converted to Duraspark?

If not, and your truck's still running the original EEC-4 computer and feedback carb, these two factory manuals would be very helpful.

The Emissions Diagnosis and Engine Electronics:

And the hard-to-find Ford training manual for the 2.8 and its feedback system:

edit: pics

 

[sgtsandman]

Since you already have the shop manuals, I wouldn't look any further on the aftermarket ones. They rarely offer any information that isn't already in the shop manuals. As far as the other suggestions, I think those are good ones.

The Haynes and Chilton manuals are better than nothing and are made more for people who are looking to do basic maintenance and leave the more complex things for a shop to do. For what I do, I've found them to be wanting since the more complex stuff tends to tell you to take it to a shop.

 

[Hoosierman]

I take it Clymer is going to be like Chilton/Haynes? I have to say, I've not been very pleased with the Haynes, as it is missing some info and the page numbers have been questionable.

I have seen every manual that has been recommended so far, and I will place some orders today. By any chance, does anybody here know why the truck repair manual appears to have two different versions? Was one of them a revised edition?

 

[sgtsandman]

I take it Clymer is going to be like Chilton/Haynes? I have to say, I've not been very pleased with the Haynes, as it is missing some info and the page numbers have been questionable.

I have seen every manual that has been recommended so far, and I will place some orders today. By any chance, does anybody here know why the truck repair manual appears to have two different versions? Was one of them a revised edition?

I have no expereince with Clymer. So, I don't know. I've only had Haynes and Chiltons in the past.

 

[RobbieD]

By any chance, does anybody here know why the truck repair manual appears to have two different versions? Was one of them a revised edition?

My own personal "guess" is that from when the '83 models first started being produced in January 1982, and through the 1984 models (probably about July 1984), options were being phased in over that period of time (like 4WD, a V6, the Bronco II model). So there were a lot of changes going on, until design, specs and production stabilized. And on top of that, they were selling like hotcakes.

There's several versions of the Ford basic shop manual for this period, with supplements, and including "1983-1984" labeled shop manuals. I think that I have about 6 different versions of the 1983 and 1984 basic shop manuals, and I think that there are more.

Besides the basic shop manual, Ford also put out other more specialized manuals, like the EVTM, Emission Diagnosis / Engine Electrical, Specifications Book, large format wiring diagrams, DIY manual, chassis builder's guide, etc. And they would also put out training manuals, especially for anything completely new.

I do have the Clymer's, and find it useful (as also the Haynes, Chilton). Aftermarket guides are mainly useful if you don't have factory manuals. And if you do have factory manuals, in some cases, an aftermarket manual may have a "work-around" tool or process where as in the factory manual it will only say "use Ford special tool xxxx".

If you're looking to buy manuals, and don't need it "right now", it pays to be patient and check eBay listings often.

 

[Hoosierman]

Right, in the past I've found that while I didn't care for Haynes manuals, whenever Chilton didn't cover an item adequately, the Haynes sometimes did. I see your point, maybe if I can snag a Chilton and Clymer for a decent price I'll do so.

Today I purchased the Ford DIY manual, Eng./Emm. diagnostics, and the 2.8L training manual off eBay. Based off what I'm reading, seeing, and have been recommended, I deemed those the most necessary at this time. I'll worry about the others later. That said, a local auction just five miles from me appears to possibly have some 70's/80's Ford truck manuals, including color swatches, coming up for grabs.

 

[sgtsandman]

Right, in the past I've found that while I didn't care for Haynes manuals, whenever Chilton didn't cover an item adequately, the Haynes sometimes did.

Which is why I still have a Haynes Manual. That and the tool work around, if I don't have the money at the time to get the specific tool the shop manual calls for.

 

[Hoosierman]

Thus why I'm a huge fan of acquiring all the literature relevant to the vehicle. I even have a C5 workshop manual on my watchlist.

Within a day of adding them, I started getting offers of 5-25% off, by the way, from the sellers. I am considering making digital backups of these harder-to-find books, but I'm not sure I fancy scanning hundreds and hundreds of pages either. Blah.

 

[RobbieD]

Today I purchased the Ford DIY manual, Eng./Emm. diagnostics, and the 2.8L training manual off eBay.

Thus why I'm a huge fan of acquiring all the literature relevant to the vehicle. I even have a C5 workshop manual on my watchlist.

Oh My God; we've created a lit monster!

Just kidding. Good on you for wanting to get the most and the best information.

And if you're still running EEC-4 and the feedback carb, if the training manual that you just bought is the blue one like I posted, you're going to find that it is a HUGE goldmine for understanding your engine management system.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Do they make the bedsheet schematics for this one?

 

[Hoosierman]

Oh My God; we've created a lit monster!

Just kidding. Good on you for wanting to get the most and the best information.

And if you're still running EEC-4 and the feedback carb, if the training manual that you just bought is the blue one like I posted, you're going to find that it is a HUGE goldmine for understanding your engine management system.

The truth be told, I am acutely aware that I would be doing a great service to the old gal by Durasparking her. I mainly want to get her up and running and driving to assess what else may be more important first, such as issues with suspension, braking, handling, such and so on. Duraspark and upgrading the starter are up there.

Even if I wouldn't need the manual as much after I did all that, there is a possibility I may one day possess another BII. I have a close friend who really wants one badly.

And if the blue book isn't too much work, maybe I'll find a way to scan it and upload, if that's even allowed. I don't see why a rare, out-of-print book that is so useful should be unobtainium for those who need it.

 

[Hoosierman]

Do they make the bedsheet schematics for this one?

I cannot say that I am familiar with that term.

 

[RobbieD]

Do they make the bedsheet schematics for this one?

If this is what you're referring to, yes. Ford had them from the beginning for the Ranger, the 1983 models through at least 1994 (that's where I stop).

edited for: CRS didn't add the pic.