Customer Reviews

Ford Ranger & Bronco II: Automotive repair manual (Haynes automotive repair manual series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After reading the reviews posted on Amazon for the Chilton's book for the Bronco II, I decided to try this Hayne's book instead. I was glad I did. I found the detail diagrams insightful and the explanations easy to follow. I have done some minor automotive repairs and maintenance on my own in the past (replacing starters, alternators, changing oil), and I found the level of this book easy to follow and useful for some more challenging maintenance I needed to work on.

For anyone hoping to find good electrical schematics, this is not the right book. I cannot trace the horn circuit, for example. In addition, I have a failed gas gauge. There is nothing in the book that discusses how to fix this problem. As with some other books, there is a lot of info on how to completely overhaul an engine - but not enough on more minor repairs.

I also own both this and the analogous Chilton manual and I have to say that the Haynes is by far the more accessible: The drawings and photographs are clearer, the instructions are better written, and the seperation of the information regarding the different engines is better. Also, the general maintenance (oil change, lube, and tune up) information is much better.

The Chilton manual, on the other hand, has extensive tables of torque listings, includes Ford part numbers in the drawings, and has factory-style detail regarding the catalyst.

On balance, these two are complementary. Unfortunately, not even both of these in concert are exhaustive: there are simply some details that are not covered. If anyone has a better manual please let me know.

Regarding the electircal schematics comment from previous:
The total system is cut up into several sections and moving between the sections may be tricky (if not impossible), but, again, the Haynes is more clearly labeled.

Disclaimer: I have not yet used either manual for a major job.

This is a basic repair manual. For example, if your wanting to work on the transmission you turn to that chapter and read something like "do not attempt to repair a transmission. This is beyond the scope of the average home mechanic". Well, isn't that the reason you buy a repair manual in the first place? Your much better off to order the Ford Automotive Manual for you year of Bronco II. It is the standard by which the Ford mechanics work from. The Haynes manual is just this side of being a joke.

PS. It does have nice pictures however...

Just bought 1992 Ranger from neighbor; shouldn't have let my wife & a pretty paint job talk me into it - against my better judgement. The vehicle has many inadequacies/design flaws & the book does too. It is pathetic on electrical, body/bed, etc, etc & not remotely upto the quality of Haynes manuals from years past. Pictures, paper quality, line drawings, misleading text & a devastating lack of completeness are notable for a start. If you have the bad luck to own one of these vehicles w/fairly many miles on it, don't compound your problems by buying this book
BK

We have a 1986 Ford Ranger 2.0L.
Now if we had a bronco, or maybe a later model ranger the book might be helpful but as it is it just eeks out a blurry idea of what you need to do.

I got it because I needed to fix a clutch. Not much help.
It even gives completley erroneous "helpful" information.

Let me give you one example.
When you need to remove the flywheel it suggests that if it turns you can place a screwdriver in the starter opening to hold it. Nice, but there is no starter opening because that is part of the clutch housing and therefore is laying on the ground next to you. You can still put the screwdriver there if you want but other than being a good holder it will not help you with your work :)

At other times it gives completely incorrect information on disassembly of parts while completely ignoring the 1985-1987 models in other key areas.

I suggest trying a chilton or some other book.

The manual is a little difficult to follow; the references to pictures or direction is hap-hazardly placed throughout the manual making it hard to follow. It has been a help, just took me a while to play hide and seek with the placement of the instruction of it. I rate it a 3 star, simply because I am a novice and know of no other manual of its kind out in the real world. Good for a beginner I suppose.

This Haynes manual suffers from the perennial lack of information. It was purchased due to lack of availability of a proper shop manual. I paid for an inferior manual with my time and frustration but the price I paid for the manual was worth the type of manual received. If you purchase this manual, be prepared to go to web sites and threads to get answers for all of the annoying difficulties which only surface on vehicles with many miles and after many years of driving (and many owners). I knew what I was buying but hoped for the best. For most maintenance, this manual is adequate. With electronic sensors, EGR and EVAP controls, and the non-specific codes Ford has used in older pick-ups, my fix(es) were difficult. In fairness to Haynes, they were electrical in nature and, by definition, difficult "find and then fix" difficulties that send many old vehicles to the junk yard.

I was very pleased to find this Haynes Shop Manual for my Bronco II, and I was extra pleased at the Great Price! Thanks

It arrived after a short delay having been routed to the wrong carrier, but overall it got here quickly and it is what it is advertised to be.