Dodge Xplorer 228 manual?

I have a 1991 Xplorer 228 that was built on a Dodge B350. The Haynes manual for the Dodge B350 has been right on.

I've found the Haynes Manuals are a lot better than the Chilton's, but they also seem to include a lot of general engine overhaul info that may not be important when trying to just fix a problem. Also, covering years 1981 - 1984 indicates they may have to omit some year specific information.

I've found the manuals I find most useful give info how to diagnose a problem and how to remove and replace the necessary assembly. For instance, some manuals will tell you how to determine if a heater blower motor is bad but give you no idea how to access the motor and remove it from under the dash, which often can be a complicated process. The Dodge factory manual seems to handle this kind of stuff very well.

In my opinion, the 1983 Dodge Ram Van Wagon factory service manual currently listed on eBay for $22.99 plus shipping would be my choice.

karl

Do you guys think that this online manual for Dodge (repair surge) is as good as the Haynes manual? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmtAuDNyhLQ
Edit: I guess this manual is for a 1990. Hmmmm

karlstream wrote:
My experience has been the Chilton are far too general to be useful. You might check eBay as these old manuals come up for sale from time to time. I wouldn't mess around with those generic manuals.

Good luck

karl

What do you think about the "Haynes" repair manual? Is this manual here any good?
https://www.stockwiseauto.com/haynes-publications-30065-repair-manual?gclid=CKmGt57hxs0CFQKTaQodKFIKdA&fit_id=4805&Year=1983&Make=Dodge&Model=B350&

Thanks

I've had two van campers on the Dodge chassis, a 76 and an 89. I had factory repair manuals for both and they both were very good. My experience has been the Chilton are far too general to be useful. You might check eBay as these old manuals come up for sale from time to time. I wouldn't mess around with those generic manuals.

The Xplorer manual may be a problem as at this point, they are few and far between The manual that came with my 89 Xplorer (now sold) was one of the best I've seen, with very good wiring and plumbing diagrams. I would try to come up with one of those if possible. You might periodically run a post on this forum every month or so and see if anyone with a manual surfaces.

Good luck

karl

There are two manuals: the one I described above for the motorhome and the regular Dodge van manual.

I have a manual for my 1997 Xplorer 230XL. Probably not much help for you. It is in a looseleaf binder with many 8 1/2" x 11" pages.

I've bought repair manuals for most of the vehicles I've owned over the years. Most of these have been from Haynes because they are easier to find. Haynes repair manuals tend to be generic for a whole series, with tables of information to cover differences year to year. For example, the Haynes for your van now covers 1971 through 2003 model years (32 years building essentially the same van with running changes in bodywork and mechanical options). Similarly, the one for my Ford van is 1992 through 2014. It is almost the same van as the one covered by the Haynes for 1969 through 1991, got a new front end and new engines in '92. Dodge didn't get new engines.

I've bought Chilton manuals for a few import cars in the 60s and 70s, liked them better because they tended to be more year specific, and more detailed but that also made them more expensive and harder to find, because the year you're looking for can be sold out and out of print. For example, I can no longer buy the Chilton manual for my 1965 Renault R-8, nor for the '68 BMW or '71 Audi, but I could get them when the cars were more current.

My dad's repair shop usually bought the Chilton manuals if they needed information, before springing for factory manuals (or caging a look at a dealer's copy). Chilton manual for your van covers 1968-88 and include information about the cutaways and the small motorhome bare chassis.

Haynes manual covers a lot more work than I can do myself, and growing up around an auto repair shop, I've been doing or watching the work since about age eight or nine. Early imports particularly needed a lot of TLC.

Be aware that both manual series assume basic mechanical skills, some experience, and knowledge of the vocabulary. Haynes manuals have some basic how-to and safety information in each one, but not like having had an auto shop course. Which would not be a bad idea, if your local tech school has a course for hobbyists and owners.

There are a couple of companies that make generic manuals. "Motors" is one and I can't remember the other one. Check with NAPA or Auto Zone. You can also check E-Bay for older manuals. I got a complete set back when I had a '96 P30 from E-Bay.