service manual

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 9, 2008 | 01:41 AM

gt8684

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 206

Likes: 0

From: Folsom, Louisiana

service manual

hey guys, ive been lookin around in my local auto stores, napa, autozone, and i cant seem to find a bumper to bumper repair manual like a haynes repair manual or chilton. i need one for a 97, but all the ones i find only go up to 96 with diesel, and the ones i find that are 97-up dont say they cover diesel on the cover... so i was wondering what books you guys use and where i might get one.. thanks

Jan 9, 2008 | 01:46 AM

bodabdan

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,816

Likes: 3

From: River Valley AR

Most of the stuff in the 96 book will apply to you. It is amazing how many people and companies do not realize that although the F-150 body style changed in 97, the 250's and 350's did not.
A book for a 96 diesel will be 10 times more valuable than for a 97 gas truck. I know that there are some good manuals out there but someone else will have to chime in on that topic.

Jan 9, 2008 | 01:50 AM

gt8684

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 206

Likes: 0

From: Folsom, Louisiana

i thought the 150 body changed in 98 :S im not to sure, i know our 98 f150 was new... i know a few things were different between the 96 and 97 but i dont know how significant that is

Jan 9, 2008 | 03:02 AM

bodabdan

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,816

Likes: 3

From: River Valley AR

Basically, the 97 F-250's and 350's ran for 2 years. The new body style came out in 99. I'm still a little confused on this myself, but I don't think there is a true 98 model 250/350.
In 97 the 150's abandoned the OBS and went to the newer (heritage?) body style with the pointier front end. The 250/350 stayed beautiful and boxy.
Back to the original topic though, the diesel trucks are very similar from 94 1/2 up to 97. There are a couple of small issues that you can run into with California models and a few minor details, but basically they are the same. For the type of things that you can do with a Haynes manual, it should not make any real difference if you have a 96 or a 97 250 manual.

Jan 9, 2008 | 03:24 AM

gt8684

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 206

Likes: 0

From: Folsom, Louisiana

great thanks... ill get a 96 book then

Jan 9, 2008 | 11:42 AM

Neal 97 250

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 9,010

Likes: 5

From: Johnson City, TN.

You could save the money and stay here everyday.

Jan 9, 2008 | 11:46 AM

1997F-350

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 3,948

Likes: 2

From: SHELTON, WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal 97 250

You could save the money and stay here everyday.

that
or get the real deal from helm inc.
there is 2 manuals for our trucks. cab/chassis and a powertrain/drivetrain. i bought both of mine off ebay in new condition for $15....hahahahaha there are 80 a piece new. they went with the new owner though. i also had the ford manual on cd from p.o. and i didnt like it. although you could send me your email and save your money i got a link to an online manual.

honestly though the only thing i ever used them for was torque specs. everything else can be learned right here.

Last edited by 1997F-350; Jan 9, 2008 at 11:49 AM.