Customer Reviews

Haynes Repair Manual: Ford Pick-ups & Expedition 1997 thru 1999 (Haynes)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's a blessing and sometimes a shame that Haynes contracts with different writers/mechanics for their manuals. As a habit, I buy a Haynes manual whenever I buy a new(er) car. I am a backyard mechanic, which means I'll do anything which doesn't include rebuilding a transmission. I own 23 Haynes manuals. The best manuals are of course European as Haynes is a British publication. The ones I bought in Europe are all hardcover - an option not available to us here in the States. But the best part of Hayne's manuals is that in Europe, they actually tear down each car and rebuild it (like they claim on the cover), so you get insights, tips, and tricks from the actual mechanics wielding the wrench. Sometimes the writers have a sense of humor too, as in "...Don't say we didn't warn you not to do that" or "Don't be afraid of this next part, it's not as hard as it looks." The worst by a large margin are the American models. This is an example. The worst part of this Ford manual is that Haynes capitulated to Ford (like 'Chilton's' did in the late 1970's) by filling 90% of the book with straight out-of-the-factory-technical-sheets instructions, and drawings. If that's what I wanted, I would have bought a Chilton's. Something as simple as reaching the heater core is lost completely because you have to jump around the book to so many different sections which in the end caused you to disassemble things you didn't need to, while leaving out entirely critical things you did. I have seen the creeping replacement of the Hayne's manuals vehicle-specific detailed information, with applies-to-most-models-but probably-not-yours useless factory general guidelines. Since I'll never stop doing my own maintenance, the death of the historically useful Hayne's manual for U.S. vehicles will be an influence to me on whether I make my next purchase foreign. In the meantime, vote with your wallet; buy the Chilton's for your Ford. It won't make any difference to why you are buying a repair book, and maybe a decrease in American sales will make Haynes's notice they are doing something wrong.

Now that my truck has passed the 10-year mark I'm starting to have the squeaks, rattles, and occasional parts that need replacement. For my needs I found the Haynes manual to be generic and useless. Didn't even have the layout of the fusebox, if that's any indication. It's unfortunate they have sunk so low. I'll take another reviewer's advice and try Chilton's or save up for the dealer's service manual I guess.

good book for a layman like me to keep cost down in the economy. Made all types of repairs (easier ones) and saved $$$.

i was pleasantly surprised...my order arrived well before the time it was suppose to,and in much better condition than i thought it would be in...saving seller as a favorite.

These are great easy to use manuals to work on auto's. The store shipped Very quickly and great communication. Well pleased.