Hello everyone,

I just picked up a 97 4Runner, and am looking for a service manual to use as a guide when doing repairs. I am not new to cars, but this is my first Toyota (and japanese auto). What do you guys use for manuals when working on your trucks?

Thanks for any info,

 

To sort of add to this, does anyone have any experience with these alleged Factory Service Manuals on CD Is it the same thing as the FSM? If not, is it worth the money for the toyota manual over the chiltons?

 

Just for curiosity's sake how much is the toyota manual?

 

They aren't cheap but they are a very good manual to have. Unsure what the new ones go for but in '84 they were $45, four times the cost of a Chiltons but five times as good. Your local dealer may have '97 models on hand otherwise you can always check eBay.

 

You can find 4Runner manuals on Ebay, only one 1997 manual listed, but keep looking:

1997 Manual:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=34233

As for those manuals on CDs, I heard of a number of complaints on YotaTech about them. Unless you plan on printing out the pages each time before you begin your work, I won't want to keep my laptop near me under the truck while working on it; scrolling pages with dirty and/or greasy hands.

I also have a link to a, I think, Toyota manual distribution center, but you pay retail. I'll try to find it if no one posts it first.

 

Chilton's are bad, get a Haynes from the auto parts store or search ebay for factory service manuals. You will be much happier w/factory manuals. I learned the hard way. I only use the Chilton when my hands are greasy and need a quick torque spec.

 

Another common complaint I've heard about the CDs is that they are not organized and you have to open document after document to find what you're looking for.

 

Jake,

GREAT link! I'm going to add that to the maintenance section as a stickied post.


Turbodude:

I've bought them all: Chilton, Haynes, the cheap-o cd-roms and then the "real deal" Toyota FSMs. I got lucky and scored the three volume set from another member for my 98.

Save yourself the aggravation on the less-than-detailed Chilton and Haynes manuals and don't even think about those cd-roms. I wasted money on those. Just find an ebay seller and ask him if he can source you the 97 FSMs. You'll be glad you did.

Bob

 

Lemme echo the summary from Bob...

The CDs suck - I have a couple of different sets and they're useless.
FSMs rock.
And to add, if you're set on buying something less expensive than the FSMs then buy Haynes, not Chilton.


The 96 manual usually runs about $70 on eBay, dunno about the 97's. I got lucky last week and happened to catch a 96 FSM for $25. I couldn't believe it.

This eBay Search may help you find a 97 manual.

 

From what I remember reading there are (3) Volumes in a complete set of FSMs? I found Volumes 1&2 on Ebay. Anybody have a site to just outright buy a complete set for a decent $$$ as I don't feel like playing the bidding war on Ebay?

Thanks!

 

I think it depends on the year. I've been told that the 96 is just one volume, 97 as well but I dunno about any others.

 

I wanted to post an update to my statement...

I've since recieved my '96 FSM and inside the front cover, they _DO_ mention other manuals required for a "complete set". One is a tranny manual (separate one for auto and manual) and the other is a full electrical manual. (The "main" FSM covers a lot of the electrical, but the inferrence is that "the electrical manual" is a full front-to-back schematic).


Sorry for any confusion.

 

98 is 3 volumes.

bob

 

FWIW...

My experience is with Tacos and Pre-Tacos (plus VW's, Nissan's and Subarus), not 4Runners, but...

Over the last 25 years I've consistently liked the Haynes manuals over the Chiltons ones.

The _current (2004)_ Toyota Tacoma factory manuals (2 volumes) run around $220 + shipping from the publisher and about 10% more through the stealership. I got a new set for $99 + shipping off eBay.

 

EnolaGaia, who is the publisher for the FSM for toyota?

 

Toyota Material Distribution Center for FSMs:
http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/mdc.html

Roger Brown has info on FSMs on his website (good info):
Toyota Factory Service Manuals

 

I got a factory manual with my truck and I bought a Haynes also since they have better pics.