I thought it would be a good idea to offer some product reviews on stuff I've got for our Toyota, so here's the first one:
Toyota Prado Automobile Repair Manual - Max Ellery Productions
Available via eBay and some online booksellers. I got mine through computeroutpost.
The book is about 500 pages.
My first copy was sent back as the pages were falling out - the binding job was woeful. The second one doesn't look all that better.
It's not the best workshop manual I've every seen, nowhere near as good as the factory manual (aftermarket ones rarely are). I'm a bit spoilt, I've always managed to get my hands on OEM factory manuals for my Subarus over the years. My SAAB had a factory sanctioned aftermarket manual and it was one of the best manauls I have ever owned. I still have it even though my Sweedish Turbo Coupe is long gone! Enough waffle - on with the book.
The book is written mainly for the 90 series Prados and seems to have been partly updated with stuff for the 120. They don't do a very good job of identifying which model they are referring to in some of the chapters.
The editing and layout is terrible - it looks like someone learnt how to use the wordprocessor while they wrote the book - very poorly done.
The subject matter is reasonable but variable. I wouldn't trust this publication alone when doing an engine rebuild for example - the quality just doesn't seem to be there.
The electrical schematics are strange - they are not very well drawn and illogical. Again - I'm spoiled with other manuals and drawings I use at work everyday.
All in all it's not too foul - bit of a rip off at $55odd. but it's better than the competition (only because there is no competition at this stage!).
I so wish I could get my hands on the factory manual - even just the electrical schematics - they have a copy at my local dealership and when I asked how much they said "oh, dunno if it's available to the general public - hay Fred how much? $700 ish." Pah. General public my arse - do they know who they are talking to? :-) :wink:
Would I buy it? Yeah prolly. It's not ideal - if I wrote it I'd be ashamed - but it's (slightly) better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick.
Have you a copy? Do you disagree? Post away.
Drew. (dodgey review writer)
*wanring - this post contains poor spelling and bad gramma - I'm too tired to give a hoot!*
Toyota Prado Automobile Repair Manual - Max Ellery Productions
Available via eBay and some online booksellers. I got mine through computeroutpost.
The book is about 500 pages.
My first copy was sent back as the pages were falling out - the binding job was woeful. The second one doesn't look all that better.
It's not the best workshop manual I've every seen, nowhere near as good as the factory manual (aftermarket ones rarely are). I'm a bit spoilt, I've always managed to get my hands on OEM factory manuals for my Subarus over the years. My SAAB had a factory sanctioned aftermarket manual and it was one of the best manauls I have ever owned. I still have it even though my Sweedish Turbo Coupe is long gone! Enough waffle - on with the book.
The book is written mainly for the 90 series Prados and seems to have been partly updated with stuff for the 120. They don't do a very good job of identifying which model they are referring to in some of the chapters.
The editing and layout is terrible - it looks like someone learnt how to use the wordprocessor while they wrote the book - very poorly done.
The subject matter is reasonable but variable. I wouldn't trust this publication alone when doing an engine rebuild for example - the quality just doesn't seem to be there.
The electrical schematics are strange - they are not very well drawn and illogical. Again - I'm spoiled with other manuals and drawings I use at work everyday.
All in all it's not too foul - bit of a rip off at $55odd. but it's better than the competition (only because there is no competition at this stage!).
I so wish I could get my hands on the factory manual - even just the electrical schematics - they have a copy at my local dealership and when I asked how much they said "oh, dunno if it's available to the general public - hay Fred how much? $700 ish." Pah. General public my arse - do they know who they are talking to? :-) :wink:
Would I buy it? Yeah prolly. It's not ideal - if I wrote it I'd be ashamed - but it's (slightly) better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick.
Have you a copy? Do you disagree? Post away.
Drew. (dodgey review writer)
*wanring - this post contains poor spelling and bad gramma - I'm too tired to give a hoot!*
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