Hayes or Chilton's

[howellru]

Since I just purchase my '96 Explorer and would like to do as many repairs myself as possible, I need a good repair manual for a do-it-yourselfer.

I've used both Haye's and Chilton's in the past for various vehicles and found one often appears to better than the other depending on the vehicle being serviced. For example, Hayes detailed repairs on my wife's old Accord better than Chilton's, but Chilton's was better than Haye's when it came to my old Trooper.

That said, what are your guys thoughts on which book is better for my 2nd Gen. Explorer. I realize I'm choosing the best of two evils, but right now I lack the skills to fully appreciate/understand a high tech Ford Service Manual.

hru out.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Buy the CD form. Its much easier to use, I could imagine. Although this site is much better at getting things figured out and fixed. Just use the search button and wah-la!

 

[bigred93explrer]

you cant take the cd form outside with you while you are doing the work though. Im also trying to figure out which is better

 

[Bottomlesspit]

It's a good question...which is better? I have always tried to have BOTH books on hand. I always find one has good info on one project and the other explains some detail better on another project. Combined, I get the best details.
I like the CD too, but I like taking the whole book out to the garage with me...putting my greasy fingerprints all over it.
I say both for the most complete help and info.
Ken

 

[Robb]

I like the CD!! Just take the time to print out everything you will need for whatever project, then when you are done, toss out the paper. Neither Chilton or Hayne's is going to give you the information that the CD will.

If you have to use a book, I like Hayne's for modern vehicles. Chiltons is better with older vehicles, but Hayne's has surpassed them for later models IMO.

 

[sjjones]

CD? Ford Service Manual?

I have the Haynes and Chilton. My mechanic friend told me that neither was nearly as good as the $150 plus Ford Service Manual. I'm tempted to get the Ford manual also.

What is this CD folks are talking about? Is it the Ford Service Manaul in CD form? Where to buy one? How much? Sounds like a good alternative.

 

[BradE.]

You can buy copies of Ford Factory Service on CD from eBay for typically $10 or less. Search for "1994 Ford truck CD"

 

[howellru]

Originally posted by X~FACTOR
Buy the CD form. Its much easier to use, I could imagine. Although this site is much better at getting things figured out and fixed. Just use the search button and wah-la!

I'd love to buy the CD, but I'm on a Macintosh and I've yet to find a CD Service Manual that's Mac compatible.

One other thing. Like Bottomlesspit, I like to get my greasy finger prints on my service book. It's a way to relive all my repair projects — good and bad. Almost like a photo album or looking at old scars from a great battle.

Am I sick?

 

[MrShorty]

I agree that it can make sense to have both. One thing I like about my Chilton's manual over my Haynes manual (My Haynes manual is for the BII/Ranger up through '92, so it has just enough overlap for my purposes) is the Chilton's manual has year/model specific wiring diagrams, where the Hayne's manual has more generic or "typical" wiring diagrams. Hayne's, however, had a better/more complete description of the "quick test" for pulling trouble codes from the OBD-1 computer. Chilton's missed some critical pieces of information (like how to hook up the voltmeter). Another thing I like about Haynes is having the torque specifications at the beginning of each chapter. Sometimes, after you've done a job a couple of times, all you need to look up are the torque specs and they can be easier to find in the Haynes manual.
And for those things where Haynes and Chiltons say this is "too complicated for the bacyard mechanic," I go to the library and look up what I need in the professional edition service manuals (Motor, Mitchell). Only costs me the price of any copies I make. It's an alternative to buying the factory CD's.