chilton or haynes?

[dru]

I want to buy a manual but dont know which to choose. you cant look at them in any of the book stores here, they're all sealed. im looking for the easiest to understand step by step instructions with good pictures. Ive heard the Chilton manuals are to vague and explain repairs as if you already know or have done the them before. Ive also heard they try to fit too many model years into a manual. What would you recommend/use?

thanks

 

[truckmanson]

I like haynes, they seem to have better detail and more pictures to help.

 

[Shran]

I have a few of each for some cars I used to have. Neither are really all that complete, and the only parts I use are the vacuum and wiring diagrams.

You could always just buy both on Amazon...gotta be some cheap ones on there.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Have both, prefer Chiltons.

 

[phatcap]

the only one i could ever find was haynes so that's what i have, but as already said they are kinda vague. maybe having both would be best.

 

[RobbieD]

I have Chilton, Haynes, and Ford factory manuals. To me, on the aftermarket manuals the Haynes seems to cover more, and in better detail (but that's just my opinion). I still use both, though. The Ford manuals are much better than aftermarket, BUT they do call for special Ford tools a lot, and I ain't a dealership. So I find myself using Ford and the aftermarket manuals together- the Ford has the more substantial info for any given area or procedure, and then the aftermarket ones give the "normal tools" perspective.

For buying your first manual, either Chiltons or Haynes will be well worth it.

 

[brwntom]

I like Chilton's better! not as much jumping around.

 

[kunar]

neither. look on ebay for a factory service manual. if thats not an option, buy both. atleast if you have both, you can combine the info from them so you get complete information.

 

[monkey19]

for what i need it for Haynes is perfect but i have used both

 

[kamps989]

I have chiltons, had Haynes for my old car and liked it better

 

[t5cents]

for me i have 1998 and thats when they changed the front end and the chiltons says its for like 1992 to 2002 which makes no since because those years are way different trucks and i looked at the front suspension and steering diagrams and they are all for the ttb/tib so i couldn't use it.