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Best repair Manual

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Hank69, Jan 22, 2023.

  1. Jan 22, 2023 at 4:36 PM
    #1
    Hank69

    Hank69 [OP] New Member

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    Hey All.
    Looking for some feedback on who makes the best printed repair manual.
    Chilton... or Haynes.
    I know all about youtube, and of course forums like this for information, however, I'm an oldster and like books as well.
    I'm also in the market for an original owner's manual If someone knows where to get one of those.
     
  2. Jan 22, 2023 at 4:45 PM
    #2
    Steely123

    Steely123 What's the new trend? I'll do it!

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    I always got Chilton manuals before. Haven't bought one in years. Haynes was not as thorough in my opinion.
     
    Maximumdarkside and Hank69[OP] like this.
  3. Jan 22, 2023 at 6:02 PM
    #3
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    The Toyota Factory Service Manual.

    Chilton and Haynes can't hold a candle.

    You can get the FSM on ebay for like $15 as a download.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #3
    Hank69[OP] likes this.
  4. May 28, 2023 at 12:25 AM
    #4
    Bruce53

    Bruce53 New Member

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    I just bought my 4Runner. My first search was a factory repair manual for my 2021 4Runner.
    Of course, I intend to fix it myself. I am TMH engineer.
    I tried the first TIS, and after 12 hours, I gave up. It is impossible to save by printing, even in a week.
    Then, I found this website:
    https://www.factory-manual.com/toyota-4runner&70&662

    I order my car, and... it works!
    I got the repair manual and wiring diagrams saved on my PC in less than 24 hours.
     
  5. May 28, 2023 at 1:09 AM
    #5
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    They don't have anything older than 2006. So it's no good for our generation.
     
  6. May 28, 2023 at 1:26 AM
    #6
    Bruce53

    Bruce53 New Member

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  7. May 28, 2023 at 1:27 AM
    #7
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    I searched three site. They do not have anything older than 2006. Our generation ended in 2002.
     
  8. May 28, 2023 at 1:34 AM
    #8
    Bruce53

    Bruce53 New Member

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    Sorry, you have right. I am in the wrong section of the forum.
     
  9. May 28, 2023 at 2:48 PM
    #9
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    I like haynes, just for the basic stuff.
     
    Hank69[OP] likes this.
  10. Jun 5, 2024 at 9:39 AM
    #10
    roboturner

    roboturner Dead Eyed

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    The FSM is so much better than the AM ones. But AM can do the job. Now that I forked the money for the FSM I don't use the Chilton's at all. You can have it if you pay shipping, just shoot me a DM
     
  11. Jun 5, 2024 at 9:19 PM
    #11
    that'smy4runner

    that'smy4runner New Member

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    FSM is essential for important jobs, but they are intended for mechanics so they leave out things that any mechanic should know but many normies don't. So having one or both of the others is good to have too.
     
  12. Jul 1, 2024 at 6:58 AM
    #12
    backpacker

    backpacker New Member

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    RSG sliders, Falken Wildpeak 265/70R/17 E
    Does anyone use these? I was thinking of trying them, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
     
  13. Jul 1, 2024 at 3:32 PM
    #13
    Alan-in-Alabama

    Alan-in-Alabama New Member

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    None.
    The best repair manual for the money: YouTube. It's free and pretty much all the common repairs are there. I recently replaced my fuel injectors (sort of a medium difficulty job) and watching a couple of YouTube videos got me through it.
     
  14. Jul 1, 2024 at 3:42 PM
    #14
    Alan-in-Alabama

    Alan-in-Alabama New Member

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    None.
    To get a genuine Toyota repair manual try eBay. They will be used, but so what? For my 1999 there is a volume !, maintenance, specifications, diagnostics (probably using special Toyota equipment) and volume 2, the actual repair manual. You want volume 2
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #14
  15. Jul 14, 2024 at 10:47 AM
    #15
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    For anyone here, NEVER buy the Chilton manual for the 3rd gen 4runner. It covers 3 vehicles, the T100, 4runner, Land Cruiser, and in doing so it does all 3 poorly.

    It doesn't say much you couldn't find online, and after comparing it to the factory service manual I bought, I found the torque specs were wrong in the Chilton. Also the valve shim table for the 3rz was wrong. I didn't check if the discrepancy was large enough for it to recommend the wrong shim size, but I didn't trust it after that. It seemed to average out the torque specs for the 3 vehic

    Haynes owns Chilton, so I would extend this to Haynes if it also tries combining 3 vehicles into 1 book. Chilton/Haynes/Clymer is hit or miss, some models are done better than others, but the one for the 3rd gen 4runner it's absolutely terrible. DO NOT BUY!

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Jul 14, 2024 at 12:38 PM
    #16
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    Factory service manual and experience are your best friends. If you are lacking the experience, have a friend who knows their way around help you with your first few repairs.
     
    PhantomTweak likes this.

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