TechAuthority Service Manual CD

[kcpolk]

Okay - I just ordered the Service Manual CD (2012 Truck) from TechAuthority. I like having all the factory service information - this is the first time I'll have it in CD format. All my other books are just that.... books. Anyway, I'm a little miffed about the price..... $135 for the CD, okay I can swallow that. But, then at checkout, another $13.50 to ship a CD (really?) + 8 bucks to handle a CD (really, really??), tack on the tax.... now my $135 CD is $170 delivered. Dammit! Okay - whatever. I tried a search for a promo code.... nothing. Got it coming anyway. Once I have it I'll be happy to look up and share info if needed.

 

[photowrite]

I'm with you, I'd rather pay that kind of money for a physical book, that will certainly last the life of the truck, even for multiple owners, there is no such guaranty with CD/DVD manuals.

Recently I sold an 18-year-old truck to a friend, with all the factory books. He was very happy to have them and understands the value.

 

[RikDavis]

I keep putting off buying the CD because of the cost. I do have an Alldata sub. for my truck but not really sure how comprehensive it will turn out to be.
I usually copy CD's I expect to use a lot directly to the computer HD so it is always there. You can also probably make a backup copy.
I can understand why they went CD but it is a shame it isn't reflected in a price break.

 

[kthaxton]

I've always preferred paper manuals as well. I bought a Subaru a few years ago and found a forum with an FSM copy "hidden" under a different name. Its "price" was nice but I hate having to go to the computer to look something up. I've just started printing all the sections that are needed for a given job as I go and just keep them in a file for the next time.

 

[randygk]

I want to get the CD also. Yikes that plastic is expensive to handle and ship, but everything about this truck is. Did you order the separate Diesel Engine Repair CD?

 

[kcpolk]

I want to get the CD also. Yikes that plastic is expensive to handle and ship, but everything about this truck is. Did you order the separate Diesel Engine Repair CD?

YIKES!!! separate Diesel Engine Repair CD???? No, I didn't see that one Randy. Geese, I was hoping that was included in the Service Repair Manual..... damn, I wonder how much THAT CD is worth? Guess I'll look into it.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I have always been a fan of books......But I have had a couple of CD versions. It's nice because you can print the pages you need and not have to worry about getting greasy fingerprints on the book pages, just toss the printed pages when you are done.

Sam

 

[swhalen]

I'm old school and like to thumb through a paper manual, scribble notes and bookmark with sticky notes. I got the paper manual for my 94 and it was about 3 inches thick. No big deal. Then I could not find a paper manual (limited production I think) when I purchased my 06 (used). I went with the CD and found it to be a total PIA-print pages you need or have a laptop on the front seat of the truck while you are working. Impossible to find stuff. To my delight I ultimately scored on the paper version via ebay. It was 6 volumes, all about 3 inches thick, and took up half the bookshelf. Given the level of complexity of the 4th gens, the paper version would probably have to be delivered freight and your garage would be dedicated to storage while your $50k truck sat in the driveway.

 

[Wayne M.]

Fellas, let me tell ya. Don't get your hopes up too high. They've all went paperless, and now they're restricting info! I bought the "service information" CD for the '14 Durango in my sig, thinking like you all. What I got was similar to the first page or two of each section. There is nothing comprehensive at all. Definetly no real diagnostic info. Obviously it's all proprietary now. Looks like it's all subscription based. I hope RAM gives more for the trucks!

 

[sag2]

Fellas, let me tell ya. Don't get your hopes up too high. They've all went paperless, and now they're restricting info! I bought the "service information" CD for the '14 Durango in my sig, thinking like you all. What I got was similar to the first page or two of each section. There is nothing comprehensive at all. Definetly no real diagnostic info. Obviously it's all proprietary now. Looks like it's all subscription based. I hope RAM gives more for the trucks!

The CD should be the same as what is available online for the dealers. Did you look at the bottom of the index it should have DTC based diagnostics and Non-DTC diagnostics.

 

[LJones]

Hi,

I am ready to purchase a set of CD's, however the one thing that caught my eye was the note about only Windows and IE both of which I have sworn off of about 5 years ago. So is this a real issue or they just don't want to test it on other platforms, mainly Apple and Safari? I have a CD set for my 99 3500 and 04 Pacificia and have no issues in reading them.

 

[photowrite]

Hi,

I am ready to purchase a set of CD's, however the one thing that caught my eye was the note about only Windows and IE both of which I have sworn off of about 5 years ago. So is this a real issue or they just don't want to test it on other platforms, mainly Apple and Safari? I have a CD set for my 99 3500 and 04 Pacificia and have no issues in reading them.

Exactly, as a lifelong Apple/Mac user I have no interest in using a the PC capabilities of my machine. I have some PC-based software for my Toyotas and it's cumbersome to use.

 

[photowrite]

Fellas, let me tell ya. Don't get your hopes up too high. They've all went paperless, and now they're restricting info!

I think a Haynes manual would provide much of what I want, primarily more maintenance info, looking forward to when one is available for the newer trucks.

 

[Wayne M.]

The CD should be the same as what is available online for the dealers. Did you look at the bottom of the index it should have DTC based diagnostics and Non-DTC diagnostics.

Sag, I saw no real good info anywhere on the disc other than basic system info. on TA site, this was the only hit on a search, and manually searching for an hour it seemed showed no other disc for deeper information. I haven't gone back to check, but I hope they release more.
I have factory software experience also with Ford and Mack. They are really holding back by going subscription/web based and with my management being stingy and slow to act, were left without lots of info on the newest vehicles we have.

 

[sag2]

This is what TechConnect looks like on the dealer side. I would assume the layout of the CD should be the same?

View attachment TechConnect sample page.pdf

 

[Wayne M.]

This is what TechConnect looks like on the dealer side. I would assume the layout of the CD should be the same?

View attachment 90759

HAHAHA!!! I wish!!! I would be elated! No schematics or diagrams or anything at all.

 

[LJones]

Hi,

Thanks for the information. For those who have MAC OSX and iOS, can you read stuff on the RAMBUILDER website ? I have been unable to and use my work PC and export to pdf. Thanks
in advance.

 

[Wayne M.]

Sorry I can never get screen print to do what I want, but heres a image of my screen. Now before it gets too far off track, I know this is a different vehicle, and it DOES give SOME good info, it's not the same as a dealer gets. That's my point. The paper manuals were the same no matter where they went. I have a set of 1998 books for my '98 Durango and it's all I'll ever need. Oh yea, and a DRB. LOL.

 

[JLandry]

For those who have MAC OSX and iOS, can you read stuff on the RAMBUILDER website?

The RamBodyBuilder website doesn't work on my mid-2012 MacBook Pro using either Safari or Firefox. When I need to access it, I resort to running Windows and using MS Internet Explorer on my Mac by running VMWare Fusion.

John L.

 

[LJones]

Hi,

Ok the CD's finally arrived, however did not work natively on the MAC. They are using SVG files from Adobe, which has been out of favor for about 10 plus years. Two options: VMWare and Parallels. Choose Parallels due to cost and a free version of Windows 10 comes along. Remember I have no interest in running anything Windows application and have been very successful for the past three years since going cold turkey. Parrallels and windows 10 works just fine for reading the manual, little disappointed in the lack of detail, but that is a content issue. But I have a bigger question.

I purchased a new 2013 RAM 3500 DRW CC 4x4 etc in the Summer of 2013 (6/8/2013)... Opened up the service manual and was looking through the pages came across cooling section to read up on what they had done since the cooling of this beast is awesome to say the least. The 2013 Service shows the coolant bottle on the radiator support (front left) of the engine compartment, however this truck has the coolant bottle on the passengers side firewall. I have read the 2013 DRW is a crossover year (?) so question is what version of the manual do I get? The only Selection is 2013/3500/diesel or gas. Selected 2013/3500/diesel and assumed this would show the truck I have. Ideas?