2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Gen 2 Shop Manual: paper vs. Electronic?

[CWeaver]

Hi Everyone,



I'm searching for a Gen 2 (1996) shop manual.

I've always bought old hardcopy paper shop manuals from car show/swap meets in the past, but I'm not finding one for my 96'.



How are the electronic manuals?

I've seen one from a 2001 (military) & the picture quality didn't seem very good... like it was a bad scan of a paper one?



What do you think is my best bet? I'm used to spending $40 for used ones & now I'm looking at having to spen $100+. I don't want to make the wrong decision.....



Your thoughts? Who's using electronic & do you print off sections to use in the garage? How's the diagram & picture quality?

 

[BigEasy]

I'd rather have paper... greasy fingerprints in the garage are hard on the laptop! did you try Geno's Garage?

 

[PC12Driver]

I'd rather have paper... greasy fingerprints in the garage are hard on the laptop! did you try Geno's Garage?

Ah, that's the beauty of the CD version. Print off the section that you want, make notes on it, fingerprint it up, and throw it away when you're done.



The electronic version's quality is limited to your printer/monitor quality. And with that being said, any inkjet printer made in the past 10 years will produce a copy on par with a printed manual.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I like my hard manual I can take it any where with me. With a CD version you need a computer close by. :{

As stated above try Genos or your Dodge dealer.

 

[Mishkaya]

It depends which version of the electronic one you get actually. I got one from Techauthority for my '01 and the quality is great, plus I like it better than the paper version because of the search capabilities it has. However I ordered the electronic version for a '96 from geno's and indeed the quality is that of a poorly scanned document. It was somewhat of a disappointment to me, although at only $30 compared to over $100 for the paper version I still won't complain too much.

 

[Curious Dave]

I have the Tech Authority CD from Genos. I always have a computer close by, so that is not an issue for me. I like the CD version. Compact, great images, and easy to use. Just print what you need as you need. No need to worry about spilling something on it and ruining a good book.

 

[Road Dog]

I have a 2001 PDF version which is excellent. Definitely not a scan from a paper copy. I can always print the pages I need.

 

[CWeaver]

Hmm... So far I'm leaning toward the electronic one from Geno's. Just based on price it seems like the most viable option. I'd like a paper one but only if I can find a used one cheap. Do the Dodge manuals do a basic & Diesel suppliment like Ford or is it all in one?

 

[Missouri Mule]

If it is the factory service manual all the Rams (not van rams) from 1500 to 3500 are covered.

 

[CWeaver]

So I got the Electronic manual... . But it's lean on Torq specs??? I can't find torq specs for the front axle unit bearing to rotor or for the big axle nut?? Very strange..... So Any torq I guess is correct huh?

 

[WilsonF]

I got my paper manual off ebay, around $40 if I remember right. If you keep looking one should show up.

Floyd

 

[Grizzly]

How about a Shop Manual for a 3rd gen Dodge. The paper version from Geno's is $375 and the CD version is $120. That's a no brainier, but how's the quality on the CD?

 

[Dave M]

I have the factory paper version from dealer for my 97... cost about $100 about 5 years ago. I purchased a cheap CD offered by someone who made a CD copy and it definitely does not include 1/2 what my paper version has... . no schematics either. I was disappointed with the CD I got because of the lack of complete information.



I'd like to get a good CD version for my 97 if it has EVERYTHING found in the paper version!



My question is has anyone compared the CD from Tech Authority or Geno's or somewhere else like the dealer to see if any of the CD versions have all that the paper version has?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Gene Heck]

I have a paper 96 manual that has been with my truck since the original owner bought it. I have a 97 CD manual that I bought from Geno's and the cd version has virtually the same info that the paper does with the exception of slight model year differences between a 96 and 97. Like mentioned in the post above the con to a cd is you have to have computer on hand. The paper version is always handy but subject to wear and tear (my 96 manual has had plenty of use). The 97 cd has 1974 pages in it in a pdf format. I bought the 97 cd because when I tried to get 96 cd from Geno's they were not available although they were listed in their catalog and website. As mentioned above in other posts if the cd is in a pdf format the manual is great. I would verify with Geno's or whoever you order it from what type of format it is made in and their return policy. I have no complaints with mine.

 

[BDaugherty]

I have a downloaded 2001 manual in pdf format. It's very high quality and the price was as good as I could ask for. The main advantage I see in a paper copy is being able to keep it in the truck. Other than that, my electronic copy is identicle and I can print any sections that I need to, or just make notes. One nice thing about electronic copies is the ability to quickly make copies for a friend without having to let them actually have/hold you beloved and valuable factory service manual.

 

[AMink]

I have the electronic version. I print what I need and toss it, or you could keep what you print in a binder. Hopefully, you'll never have to print the whole thing. To take it with, you could probably put it on an iPod video or Classic. You can partition the drive for data. A little small, but better than nothing.