Best repair manual for a 95 Jimmy

[sail978]

If my son is going to keep this truck for a while, I figure we better get a repair manual. Any thoughts on which is best - Chilton or Haynes? Haven't actually looked at either one yet but would like opinions. Thanks.

[excheezhead]

Originally Posted by sail978

If my son is going to keep this truck for a while, I figure we better get a repair manual. Any thoughts on which is best - Chilton or Haynes? Haven't actually looked at either one yet but would like opinions. Thanks.

i've had real good results with an online repair manual site that can tell you how to do it, or what the shop would do, etc. i've found a few things lacking, but thanks to this site, the rest can get answered. the name of the site is alldatdiy.com. they will charge you for unlimited use for 1 vehicle for a year and if you want to renew its 12-14 bucks.
i've never really liked haynes, as every vehicle i've owned i bought one for, the manuals were based on a full tear down rebuild. the chilton, if you want a book, would be better in my opinion. so the choice is if you have a computer thats online, or if you want the book there next to the car with you.
good luck, good desision, real men fix they're truck's!!!

[CanukGMC]

I've always bought a chiltons or haynes with all my vehicles, and in the end I just end up getting mad at them and buying the FSM (factory\dealer service manual). It all depends on the depth of work you plan on doing, normal maintenance and the like will be found easily in a hayes\chiltons, but other stuff might not.

THE BIGGEST complaint I have with both hayes and chiltons (currently I have a chiltons for the jimmy) is they reference things but never actually show the info. For example, I've been trying to figure out how to adjust the adjuster screw on my 98's steering box. There's nothing under steering or the gear box itself. So I looked under troubleshooting and under "Excessive play in the steering system" it says one of the answers is "Adjust the steering gear box adjuster screw, for information and procedures on this see chapter 10". So I goto chapter 10 DESPERATELY trying to find the info I've been digging for and it is not listed ANYWHERE in chapter 10! Cha10 sure enough has how to remove the gear box, how to remove the pump, etc, but NOTHING about the set screw. I know from working on the adjuster on my jeep YJ that you can't just "horse them down" and think it's fixed, they are usually torque to VERY specific INCH lbs values, too much torque=blown box. Chiltons says they have the info, but alas it's no-where in there.


Sorry I got on a rant there. If you plan on doing most of the work yourself get a FSM, if you plan on doing joe-weekend warrior work that is not in depth more than changing brakes, then get a chiltons.

[excheezhead]

hate haynes, like i said before, they tear a vehicle down, then put it back, and never explain the minutia that has to be tweeked. chilton is good, but the factory manuals cost me more than a subscription to www.alldatadiy.com. first year is 29.95, renewals are like 14-15 buck USD. good luck, and your right. if you start SWAG'ing the steering jam nut with the allen in the middle to get play out of the steering, too much can bind, and wear out the gears way too soon.
good luck, remeber, real men use duct tape, and keep your stick on the ice!!!
excheezhead
:2 cents:

[94 Jimmy]

Their all good, in one way or another, and you'll probably end up with more than one.
The factory manual will run you way over $100, check out EBay. I've always liked Haynes for $20. Ya, it's a tear down/rebuild manual, but it's a Jimmy.
I bought my son a Jimmy and he's had a great time breaking/fixing it, towing it out of Mud Bogs at the Offroad Park and has learned a lot. Try the library, they often have a pretty good selection of manuals, or just drop the 20 bucks and start you own library.
Good luck, have fun.
94

[sail978]

LOL - thanks for everyone's imput. I have a feeling we're going to end up with a few.

Is it just me or has this forum been hard to get on the last few days. I keep having problems.