Some jackass told me Chilton was better, but I find that the chilton is hard to understand, not logically laid out, and it seems to assume you know more than a Haynes manual would.

So which do you guys prefer?

 

I have the Haynes and it is pretty straight forward and has helped me greatly, changing out shocks, springs, etc.

 

I read in a Chilton's manual once that said I should bring the vehicle into a service center to fix something (overhaul an automatic tranny on a Ford Tempo). How dare they decide what I can and cannot do. Since then I will never buy a Chilton's.

 

i ahve one of each, bought a chiltons, and someone gave me a haynes. I almost think i like the haynes better. THhe chiltons was lacking in a few departments.

 

Like runnerboy97, I use both. Somewhere between haynes and chiltons is the truth.

 

I have both and having both is a good thing but the Haynes is a little better laid out for us do it your selfers.

 

I can't find either one that includes a 2001/2002 4runner...they all seem to stop at 2000...has anyone seen one??

 

At either this site or another Toyota site, someone reported that Haynes will be coming out with a post-2000 manual later this year.

I have Haynes and Chilton for an Isuzu Rodeo. The Haynes all-in-all is better, but there are some good pieces here and there in the Chiltons. Having both hasn't hurt.

 

I use both, that damned table leg was way too short for just one of them to level it. Get a FACTORY service manual, all others are worthless in comparason!

 

Yeah, save your money and buy a factory service manual. You will be happy that you did.

 

ditto on the FSM. chilton and haynes are merely reference material. the FSM tells you how to do the job on your specific vehicle. However, to answer the question, I would vote for chilton. Their books always have better pictures and usually have more detail. Getting both though is a good idea. I have the haynes, the chilton and the FSM.

 

How much is a FSM, and are they readily available for 1981 trucks?

 

Agreed, the FSM is well worth the price for doing your own work. Had to do work on the wife's Nissan, and neither we're all that great to follow, although the Haynes does have pics, albeit poor quality B&W on phone book paper ones.

 

I third that , the factory is so much better.

 

I guess I have to post my question in a new topic.

 

ok, Factory sounds great...
Where do you get them? how much are they?

 

Toyota Material Distribution Center
750 West Victoria St
Rancho Dominguez/Compton, CA 90220-5538 USA
1-800-622-2033 (call this number to order)
(outside CA)(M-F: 7-5 PST)
1-800-443-7656 (inside CA)
1-310-818-4630 (in or outside CA)

My 2001 manuals cost me:

Vol 1: Maintenance, Preparations, Specifications, Diagnostics -- $82.95
Vol 2: Engine, Chassis, Body, Electrical -- $103.95

Take a look at eBay. There have been a lot of manuals for the older toys for sale there.

 

anyone have this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2460426989

 

this sucks...this still only goes up to the 2000 4runner :pat:

 

Ditto. I also have a "How To Keep Your Toyota Alive" manual and like it better than my Haynes and Chilton too. It has pics that will make you LOL.