Any using the Dave Graham repair manual?

Wondering if it’s worth spending $20

 

From looking at the ad you posted, it looks like it might be the FSM on a CD... there's
one available to download from the Internet (you can search for a link on this site) but
it is probably considered "pirated".... and I have a hard time searching through it, maybe
the CD version has a more searchable index... you can get a printed copy of the FSM
on Amazon in three volumes for around $100...

-Mike

 

I really would prefer a hard copy of the the FSM but the best I could find on Amazon for 2004 Tacoma was $279. Ouch. I’ve tried the downloaded version and agree it is really hard to navigate besides being ethically questionable. If this is a reproduction of the FSM it’s worth $20 to me, not so much if its a knockoff Chiltons manual. So that’s why I’m asking

 

Downloaded version difficult to navigate? It has an Index you open and select the section/chapter you need (at least the one I have).

As far as hard copy, I did 2 things.

1) Purchased the official FSM for my Year on Ebay used.

2) Printed the entire 1600-1700 page FSM and put the pages in page protectors and put them in 3 ring binders so I can use it in the garage/shop without worrying about destroying my original FSM.

 

I just checked my Amazon FSM price by clicking on my "orders" button... $102... I remember
seeing different prices, so I guess they're not always available at that price... mine is a
"Bishko" reprint... I think that makes it authentic (accurate) and not grey-market...

As far as indexing the downloaded one, it does make more sense to me now that I have seen
how the real one is organized...

-Mike

 

I saw the Bishko reprint on Amazon but is says not available

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Toyot...a=0&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982

 

I think a lot of my problem with the downloaded version is because I use an iPad for everything. I was considering moving it all to a PC, loading up on paper and printer ink and going to town.

 

So was there any consensus as to what the repair manual cd that the OP showed actually contains? Is it the factory service manual on cd?

 

That probably cost $279 just in paper, printer ink, and page protectors, plus your time in doing all that, lol. Printing all 1700 pages when you're realistically only going to use like 5-10% is kind of a waste. But then again, my wife is a bit OCD, so I can see the benefit of organizing everything. She probably would have laminated all the pages tho.

I just keep it on the computer/ipad, then print a particular page if I need to for shop reference for a particular project.

 

That's what I do

 

Even if I print that same page 100 times, that's still 17 times fewer pages than printing the whole thing, lol...

 

Well, i work in a corporate office for a big corp. so coming in an hour early or so wasn't a big deal to print everything. Giant printers here with plenty of ink. That cost me $0
The laminate and the binders werent that expensive either. Like $35 for the sheet protectors and like $15 bucks for the folders.

I put the binders together in my free time after work while sitting watching tv with my then gf. Just did it a little at a time. I have used it many times now from Transmission/TC rebuild to wheel bearing replacements, to electrical diagrams and schematics for troubleshooting. Always keeping my original 1995 manuals mint in the house while these folders can get beat up.

To each his own I suppose.

 

Oh and I forgot to mention you obviously print them using front and back of the page. The printer I used automatically did this. This cuts the paper requirement in half.

 

Yes, I understand how dual sided printing works.

My employer has specific regulations against using their resources for personal use, maybe yours doesn't.

Either way, I'm not here to stop you, you do you.

 

Based on the tone of the response, I sense that you felt as though I was being condescending when I made the statement regarding the dual sided printing. (Correct me if I am wrong). If this is how that came off to you, I apologize as that was not my intention. I was merely adding that note to mention that I didn't print 1700 physical pages worth. Just sharing what I did in regards to the manual and providing clarity as to why I chose this route. Also, I wanted to shed light on the material cost which I personally paid for given my unique situation since you questioned my reasoning for spending "$279 just in paper, printer ink, and page protectors, plus your time in doing all that". I agree that for most people this cost does not justify the result as the authentic manual is close to $100 less than the $279 in materials.

I will refrain from sharing too many unnecessary ideas moving forward which for most people here would not provide a cost effective or simple solution.

 

I think you are mistaking my sarcasm for genuine offense. Sorry it came off that way, lol

I cracked a joke about my wife's OCD and how she would have laminated everything so I understand the idea of doing something that if you *really* added up the actual cost, it would have been cheaper/easier to just buy it outright. i.e. I'm not building my own skid plates to save money (although that's a distinct possibility), I'm doing it because I like the process.

Don't let my sarcasm prevent you from sharing your ideas. That's the whole point of this forum.

 

Soooooo.... has anyone ever used the Dave Graham manual?

 

At least according to this website, they only do GM/Ford, but this site is laughable out of date, too.

http://davegrahamauto.com/

Could be why no one is chiming in to say they have the manual. I had never heard of it before your post...

 

I came across this post while trying to find an answer to the same question, but for my 4 Runner. It seems legit... here's an article about the guy's business... https://www.pe.com/2014/05/30/smooth-ride-for-company-that-reproduces-car-manuals/

I'm going to order it from rockauto... will try to remember to post back here when I put it to use.