FordExcursions.com Forums
rozett
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• Limington, ME, USA |
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• Registered on 1/10/2003 |
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• 163 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:1/21/2004 18:51 |
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I want to buy a service manual for the X. One that includes wiring diagrams. I look on EBay and there are a bunch of different ones for sale. I'm looking for some input on the good, the bad, and the ugly in service manuals.
I see a Haynes paper manual for bid. How are they? Do they include wiring? I also see several different CD-based manuals for bid. Many say they are the 'same' as the ones that the Ford techs use. I view that claim with much skepticism. How about some input. While CD manuals are good for indoor browsing.... I expect that I would want some paper in my hands as I apporach the X.
Thanks.....
//bruce
2000 Excursion Limited V10 4x4
ART brakes, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear sway bar, SD grille, V10 badges, Sylvania Silverstars, clear corners, and Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO 285s. |
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Weatherlite
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• Mountain Home AFB, ID, USA |
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• Registered on 10/21/2002 |
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• 133 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:1/22/2004 12:30 |
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I bought the CD and it certainly looks like it's an official service manual. Very complicated but very helpful too. I'd say get both if a paper manual is available as well. Personally I prefer Haynes over Chiltons.
Mikie |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:1/22/2004 16:55 |
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I bought the Ford factory service manuals directly from the publisher, Helm, Inc. (web address below). The service manual is a huge 2-volume set, and the wiring diagram manual is a separate book. I think I spent around $240 or so for all three books ... and they are well worth the price. They've already saved me 3 or 4 times their purchase price.
I also bought the CD version ... $10 on ebay ... and probably a pirated copy, too. While it's handy sometimes when at the PC (don't feel like going up 3 floors to get the hardcopy), it is much more difficult to navigate through than the hardcopy manuals.
www.helminc.com |
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Richard Smith
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• Knoxville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 10/4/2003 |
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• 104 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:1/22/2004 20:08 |
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Rozett, I bought a Dealer DVD off eBay. It works great - has everything the dealers have for $55.
Richard fro Knoxville.Tennessee |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:1/22/2004 21:50 |
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DVD, CD ... it's still electronic. That may work for you if you like to lug your laptop (assuming you have one) out into a garage environment ... or outdoors. When working on cars, give me books. I can flip back and forth between physical bookmarks faster than I can go up & down the electronic menus ... which you'll find is real handy once you see how the Ford wiring diagrams are laid out. Of course, you could print all the pages you "might" need, but I'd just as soon save the ink & paper. To each his own. If it works for you, I am happy for you. |
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:1/23/2004 04:05 |
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| Quote: | | DVD, CD ... it's still electronic. ....To each his own. If it works for you, I am happy for you. |
I just memorized mine. Hell of a lot easier that way... 
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:1/23/2004 16:23 |
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To MONSTA -- Memorized it? Well, yours must be bigger than mine then ...  memory capacity, that is. (lol) Even though I can flip back & forth between pages, when it comes to the wiring diagrams, I still find myself with a big piece of paper (usually 2 or 3 taped together) to sketch out only the info I need ... which often spans several pages .... PLUS going back to the front of the book to decipher the two-character wire color-codes.
To everyone else -- Whatever wiring modification y'all attempt, ALWAYS double-check each wire's functionality before you start dicing & splicing. I have found a couple errors in the factory wiring diagrams. Had I not double-checked first, I may have been mucho-$$$ further out of pocket.  |
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rozett
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• Limington, ME, USA |
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• Registered on 1/10/2003 |
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• 163 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:1/24/2004 07:53 |
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Thanks for the input, guys! I bought the Haynes paper manual last night for $14.80 Buy It Now. Can't go wrong for that price. Now, if the temperature would get back to a positive integer, I might be able to get my fogs installed, along with the SilverStar headlights. Brrrrrrrrr 
//bruce
2000 Excursion Limited V10 4x4
ART brakes, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear sway bar, SD grille, V10 badges, Sylvania Silverstars, clear corners, and Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO 285s. |
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