FSM. Worth the investment?

I have the Haynes and it's pretty good. I've noticed folks referrring to the FSM. Something like this? 2004 Toyota Tundra Shop Service Repair Manual | eBay. Worth the cash?

I did search the site a bit and didn't find one

 

Toyota TIS site has a one day subscription where you can spend the afternoon downloading the pdf files a few pages at a time for the manual if someone hasn’t provided a link on this forum to one.

Downside is you need to find your own pdf program to link them all together like adobe acrobat pro.

 

I like the Haynes manuals, but the FSM from Toyota is incredible.

 

Worth $178? I'm hearing yes....

 

I can't even find a Haynes manual anymore. I have to use a computer and print it Not so convenient.

The FSM files/screen shots that everyone here on this site have sent me have been very, very helpful though.

180 bucks is not cheap, but they have some great info for sure.

 

No, not when it’s a free download (see text @JakeJake quoted) and you can get bootleg copies on fleaBay for far less for your exact year. The link JJ gave is 2003, but your 04 is close enough. Don’t overthink it. I have that plus Chiltons plus Haynes.

 

Am I missing something? Just found one on Amazon?

 

I got my Haynes used on scAmazon for $3. Cost more for the used book store retailer to ship than the book.

 

10-4. Free is good...

 

If it’s free and it does the job….

 

Right. And I need the cash to buy Asian pink antifreeze to replace the Prestone I put in 6 months ago

 

Not to change the subject, and believe me I'm not, but how do we ignore members on here? I am bad with computers you know.

 

Where do you work? I printed probably 33% of the fsm at work, that was at least 800 pages. 3 hole punched them and put in separate trapper keepers

 

Trapper Keeper? The man is definitely a child of the 80s, like me Good idea. Have a lot of clients with beastly copiers that punch, collate, the entire works. Brilliant....

 

……. What is collate? Is that the weird spiral thingy?

 

I remember my Rad Dog Trapper Keeper!

 

Keeps the pages in order when you're printing multiple copies for friends and such

 

https://youtu.be/h1Fk_mDem4o?feature=shared

For some reason this is ingrained into my brain when I think about copies.

 

Damn, but that's a beast! Thanks!

 

'04 is a weird year. The AC is more or less the same as '03, so the 00-03 FSM is useful in nearly every case. '04 is the first year for the DC, however, so the EWD and other parts are likely useless for the DC. The 05-06 FSM may be helpful for '04 DC. I have AC so I have no experience to share. There are one or two '04 unique issues...I think the idler pulley might be one, and the LBJs (it seems they change every year), and perhaps others. I have the Haynes, but I rarely open it.

 

I bought a factory service manual for my 2001. It’s three books. Engine, electrical and everything else. It was pricey but so worth it. EVERYTHING is in there.

 

Tap on their name next to their image on any reply they make. Look for the “Ignore” option in the pop-up. Click on me for an example. I’ll miss you, friend!

 

I did mechanic work for 21 years and it taught me to avoid service manuals.
If you're the type who lives in a world of procedures, your mileage may vary. Manuals are geared for "step one step two step three" people.
I find much better instruction on forums.
When I have a mechanical problem to solve, I need to know two things: theory of operation and what was designed wrong and therefore causes most of the problems.
Only in rare instances will the manual provide theory of operation, but never ever will they disclose what was designed wrong and therefore causes most of the problems......because the people who write the manuals do not outrank the engineering department and are unable to endure the ire of the engineers they incriminate. Besides, people who write manuals are not mechanics themselves.

 

The manuals do have every torque spec listed though which is nice. I like the exploded diagrams on how stuff is assembled along with the torque specs. I don’t follow each and every step but use them as a guide.

 

I have the Haynes or Chilton's tear down manual. I do research here and on BoobTube to see some repairs being done. Often times the manual has a procedure that is a combination of service manual and "what we found works" from the tear down crew. Also has some limited pictures, and torque specs. I find here has the how it keeps failing and what to do to address it, which parts to use or not use, and what to address "while your in there". The BoobTube has videos of the procedure, often times which tools are needed and how it looks to do it their way. I usually come up with a plan after a combination of the three. I do not have the FSM printed out for use during the repairs and thus far haven't needed it.

 

I use the FSM for torque values which are critical on some fasteners. Also nice to look up procedures when it’s not readily apparent how something is removed or installed.

 

I’d prefer the $400 complete set of books myself. Had I known I’d keep my Tundra this long, I would’ve bought them new.

At least with the books, you can put in tabs for important stuff. With the pdf manual I’m always doing a search to find what I need. Plus I don’t have to worry about laptop/ipad battery life outside.

 

I bought the FSM off fleabay for my truck. I prefer the old fashioned way of flipping through the pages. Oily hands and a tablet/phone don't mix, plus a book doesn't have a screen that keeps turning off. I like Frenchy's way though.

 

Nothing beats 35 lbs of old good paper. I still search it on the internet first, but when bad times come, I would still have a comprehensive manual on the shelf.