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Chilton vs Haynes

Snort

Active Member
Joined
January 26, 2001
Messages
63
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0
City, State
Seattle, WA
Year, Model & Trim Level
94 XLT
Which manual should I buy for my '94? Chilton, Haynes or other?
 



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Snort,

I have and use both. I've found that each one has strengths and weaknesses. Often one will be skimpy or not even cover some repair, but the other will! I read the sections on a particular repair in both manuals before I start the job.

For example, I like the Haynes Electrical diagrams best, but the Chilton's has other illustrations that are better.

My advice is to get both, you'll save far more than the cost of both on your first repair! But... If I had to have only one, I would have to choose the Haynes.
 






I thought that Chilton was no longer available. I wouldn't trade my Chilton for my other vehicle for a million Haynes'. I found errors in Haynes manuals before, but I dont have one for my Explorer, Ray does. There are also other sources. One of these threads spoke about some disk you get at Walmart and hook to Popular Mechanics and get specific manuals for around $20.00. Maybe search for it using "Walmart". Also, you can get the Ford Factory manuals from several publishers.
 






Haynes sucks...straight up sucks...
 






Factory

If your going to do anything besides change the plugs and oil, I would spend the cash for a Factory Service manual.

Its worth the 100 bucks, even if you dont do your own repairs. If you do it has specific diagnostics for your vehicle, and complete repair procedures for you specific vehicle rather than the last 10 model years lumped together.

Just my opinion.
 






914X4Sport, I like the way you put it! Check out the last two replies on the 2 3/8 socket thread.

SteveVB seems on the right track. I bought the factory manual for four vehicles in a row in the 80's. It was routine. Bought the truck, bought the factory man. You used to get them from some company that started with an H. Can't remember. Although, I'v seen factory manuals cover a span of model years and even cassis types. I gave up on Fac. manuals before I got the Explorer. I may need to get one now that its aging. Can't you get them on the net at a better price?- That disk thing I saw on her was under Ford Diagnostics in 'general explorations'.

[Edited by sink on 01-29-2001 at 05:08 PM]
 






the "H" word is Helm Publications.
I just got the manuals for my 97 SOHC. The sticker shock is that they run $160 plus S&H. You better have a big bookcase too. You get two 6" binders. Whatever you need to or don't need to know is in them.
You may want to check out on ebay or one of those sites. Some guy had, what I think was, the CD version of Helm (or some similiar professional manual)for 97 Explorers. It sold for under $80?. I was tempted, but who wants to get your laptop all greased up while you seaching for exploded diagrams. I was sure I would end up printing out half the CD anyway, so I went "all paper." Besides, the greasy pages are good bookmarks to remind you what you have already fixed (or tried to).

Sniff around those sites you may find something.

It may be a stretch but maybe this site can get discounts for its members on that kinda stuff. I think we have some discounts out there.
Maybe a word with the management maybe in order.
 






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