Who actually has a FSM??
- Thread starter Mace
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I have 'em. I also have a Chilton which absolutely SUCKS! The Haynes ones are pretty good and I suppose with that one you wouldnt need the FSM. My dad keeps those (Haynes) and from what I can tell they are very complete.
I like the diagrams in the FSM and of course the specs and stuff like that. I also keep and old SOR catalog for the diagram/breakdowns and so I can scribble notes on or whatever.
I like the diagrams in the FSM and of course the specs and stuff like that. I also keep and old SOR catalog for the diagram/breakdowns and so I can scribble notes on or whatever.
What you mean actually? They are a great addition to Chilton and Haynes.The smog manual is much better than an of the aftermarket manuals. You would probably want them if this website did not exsist. I like the Haynes better than Chilton.
I have one for the Cruiser and one for our '85 Xtra-Cab. The wiring diagrams are great to trace shorts. I bought the Xtra-Cab FSM w-a-a-a-a-a-y back when the truck was new. I think I even used the card that came in the owner manual. The Cruiser FSM was bought off EBay for $29. It's an original FSM not a copy.
Michael R_
Austin, TX '89 FJ62 w/ H42
Michael R_
Austin, TX '89 FJ62 w/ H42
I have one, as well as a Haynes, and the ones downloaded from birfield.com.
I have the big three myself and of them the FSM has the easiest-to-read diagrams (for my brain). I'm not a very good mechanic, so I need all the help I can get. It's nice to have the other manuals around just to see what they recommend step-by-step wise when I get REALLY confused. But I always use the FSM first. For the price of a tank of gas (sadly), it's been one of the better investments I've made w/ the rig.
I have one! Fascinating bedside reading.
I also conveniently "leave it" on the passenger seat whenever I drop off my ride at the shop.
I also conveniently "leave it" on the passenger seat whenever I drop off my ride at the shop.
I have had a FSM for nearly every vehicle I've owned. The Japanese manuals are excellant. Lot's of pictures, very few words, and very complete. That would be an '84 Mazda 626, a '90 Acura Legend and several FJ60's. I used to have a '90 Mercury Sable and the 5 or so books that were required to cover the vehicle. What a PITA. You frequently had to look through several books to try to find the info you needed. It was broken down in a bizarre method. It was bound in fat binders thate wouldn't stay open so you had to set something heavy on it to not lose the page. My wife's 9-5 SAAB apparently doesn't have a printed manual. I got a copy of the SAAB WIS (workshop information system) CD - another PITA. Everytime I want to look at some simple spec or assembly drawing, I have to get out the CD, fire up the program, and enter some info telling it what model car I have, then, well... its a pain and the pictures suck. Another poor excuse for a FSM was my '78 Bronco. I had all fives books for that on too. The funny was those books covered every engine, tranny, and truck chassis Ford made in '78. The problem that they frequently got things mixed up like describing the teardown procedure for one tranny and labling it something else. Very frustrating - and mostly text with few pictures. I'll take the Japannese manauls any day over the other junk out there.
I have the FSM. I found Haynes absolutely useless, so much so that I got rid of it, same with Chiltons.
The fact that I' diesel may factor into it but for my money the FSM is the best manual out there.
The fact that I' diesel may factor into it but for my money the FSM is the best manual out there.
I don't buy vehicles casually, so I consider the FSMs part of the price. If you don't want to buy them (& the FJ's aren't the most expensive ones), then you probably don't want the car.
But then I've never had a car (for a very long time) that someone else was responsible for the maintenance on.
But then I've never had a car (for a very long time) that someone else was responsible for the maintenance on.
I have an FSM and find it better than my Haynes and Chilton - but it is good to have all three.
i got a bunch.
Got one for every Cruiser, plus Haynes and some others. Been trying to get one for the wife's '05 Sequoia for over a month but the stealer parts guy keeps dropping the ball. About to call Toyota directly for that one and when the dealership calls to say they finally got one I'm gonna say "too late" and then they can eat the cost for being dipshits, 'cause I know nobody else is going to come up with the $300 plus for a Sequoia set.