If you plan to do much of your own work on your Jeep, you should really consider getting a factory service manual. These things are a million times better than a Haynes or Chiltons manual, since they’re designed to be used by factory service centers.

I ordered mine for a current-year Jeep (1995 at the time) directly from Chrysler for US$59 + tax, $68.74 total. Call their publications center at 800-890-4038 (in 2003, I found that the price varies by vehicle year, and could be as high as $90). It arrived in 7-10 days. The older your Jeep, the less likely they are to still have your manual in stock. The inside cover of my ’95 manual says you can call 216-572-7240 or fax 216-572-0815 to get a free catalog of manuals or to place an order.

There are several sources for older service manuals. The following list contains sources that Jeep list members have either used or called for info on older manuals:

• DaimlerChrysler Tech Authority
  800-890-4038
  http://www.techauthority.com
  Owner, service, and diagnostic manuals for all 1996-present DC vehicles
  (thanks to Dave on ZJ-List)
• Detroit Iron from Eastwood
  http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1249&itemType=CONTENT
  Scans of original, older service manuals for many manufacturers on CD. Jeep available only 1969-81.
• Z&M Full Size Jeeps
  http://www.zmjeeps.com
  1970-80’s Jeep manuals not listed yet on new web site, but they DO sell them
  (thanks to Zack Heisey)
• Border Parts
  800-533-0171 or 619-461-0075
  (thanks to Jeff Layton)
• Brian’s 4WD Parts and Lit
  willysgp@aol.com
  (thanks to JJ)
• Diamond Distribution
  800-890-4038
  (thanks to Patrick Clow)
• eBay
  http://www.ebay.com
  This is an auction thing and is infrequent; watch for posts from Marty
  (thanks to Marty Martin)
• Irv Fishco
  800-544-3312
  (thanks to Patrick Clow)
• Helm Incorporated
  800-782-4356
  http://www.helminc.com
  (thanks to Chris Waterman)
• Leon Rosser
  800-633-4724
  http://www.thinkjeep.com
  (thanks to Patrick Clow)
• Novak
  562-921-3202
  http://www.whittierca.com/novak.htm
  They don’t appear to have anything beyond 1971 but they are all $35 as of 10 Feb 98
  (thanks to Danny Peterson)
• Saxon
  800-458-2734
  (thanks to Patrick Clow)
• Surplus City Jeep Parts
  800-353-3772 or 530-533-2500
  http://www.surplusjeep.com/MANUALS.htm
  $29.95 for early models as of 10 Feb 98
• Turner 4WD
  770-992-1181
  http://thejeep.com/manual.html
  $28.95 + $5.00 for shipping for pre-71 manuals as of 10 Feb 98. Also some later model manuals available in the $85+ range.
• Voss Motors
  248-357-4750
  http://members.aol.com/vossmotors/jo.html
• TheJeep.Net
  800-THE-JEEP
  http://www.thejeep.net/catalog/default.php?cPath=39
  (thanks to Brandon/2nd Day)
• Great lakes XJ
  http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech.html

While not a complete manual, the wiring diagrams for a 1995 YJ are available online at Scribd.com.Near as I can figure if you are paying more than $70-$75, you are paying too much for your manual (later model manuals, post-1971, are sometimes higher while pre-71 are usually under $40). If you have a rare beast and all the sources turn up only one manual and they want $200 for it — get it! $70-$75 is just a good starting point.

Thanks to Patrick Clow for compiling and posting most of this list to the JeepTech mailing list.

And because I have no better place to put it, here’s a list of sources I found for factory service manuals for my 2001 Chevy Tahoe. Most of them also stock manuals for many other brands of vehicles. Thanks to the folks on the ChevyTalk forum for most of these tips.

• Helm, Inc.
  http://www.helminc.com
• Books 4 Cars
  http://www.books4cars.com
• Best Brands Repair Manuals
  http://www.autorepairmanuals.biz
• Faxon Auto Literature
  http://www.faxonautoliterature.com
• eBay
  http://www.ebay.com

The links in the advertisements surrounding this page are also likely to be good sources for service manuals. Please explore their offerings.

[Last updated 18 April 2011]