Which repair manual?
10-25-2007, 11:54 AM
#2
Senior Member
I've been pleased with my Chilton's, although I don't think you would go wrong with Haynes or Motor.
Look for the thicker manuals, contains more details and drawings - way back when I was looking, Chilton's offered a two manuals, one that was about an inch thick, and the one I chose that was closer to 2" thick. Even so, some of the finer details are still left out (like how to trigger the ABS test sequence to pull codes!).
The Ford manual is good, but pricey - probably 3-5 times the cost of the others. Also, my experience is that referrals are made to special tools with long numbers (e.g. E4TZ-4AXQ-7744), where a tool like a crow bar or a BFH can accomplish the same thing.
Getting worried about the trend to put manuals on CD - like who is going to print off the pages they need, then after getting up to the elbows in grease, finding that more pages are needed, resulting in a greasy trek through the house to get them. Aarrrrgh!!!
Look for the thicker manuals, contains more details and drawings - way back when I was looking, Chilton's offered a two manuals, one that was about an inch thick, and the one I chose that was closer to 2" thick. Even so, some of the finer details are still left out (like how to trigger the ABS test sequence to pull codes!).
The Ford manual is good, but pricey - probably 3-5 times the cost of the others. Also, my experience is that referrals are made to special tools with long numbers (e.g. E4TZ-4AXQ-7744), where a tool like a crow bar or a BFH can accomplish the same thing.
Getting worried about the trend to put manuals on CD - like who is going to print off the pages they need, then after getting up to the elbows in grease, finding that more pages are needed, resulting in a greasy trek through the house to get them. Aarrrrgh!!!
10-25-2007, 12:02 PM
#3
Beer Drinker
I'm with wde3477. You know you do your own wrenching when you've got a repair manual thats covered in your greasy thumb prints from one end to the other. I had a manual that I download for my bike and it wasn't convenient at all.
10-25-2007, 04:17 PM
#4
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I hear ya...I have two motorcycles and many of the shop manual pages are black from oil, coffee, beer and blood stains...ahhh, I love the smell of metal and grease in the morning 
..thanks for the help..I was leaning towards Chilton as I have bought from them in the past but just like to bounce these things off others when I get a new toy..
..thanks for the help..I was leaning towards Chilton as I have bought from them in the past but just like to bounce these things off others when I get a new toy..
11-25-2007, 03:41 PM
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I would lean towards the factory manual. Yes, it is pricey and it does call for specialty tools, but then who knows Ford best, Chilton, Haynes, Mitchell or Ford? You may get what you pay for!
Dan Harriman 84 f150 lwb
Orange, Texas
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If at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!
Dan Harriman 84 f150 lwb
Orange, Texas
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If at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!