I'm the proud new owner of my first 4Runner: '99 V6 4WD

Now I want to get started on maintenance (I'm used to doing all my automotive work myself with the exception of tire mounting and alignments), but the price of the Toyota service manuals on ebay are outrageous!<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Should I just start out with a Haynes until I'm ready to rebuild the engine in a few years?

Thanks from a newbie looking to get started.

Welcome to the Forum!

If you want to get a serious understanding of the innards of your vehicle and plan to to the maintenance on it over the long term, invest in the Factory service manuals.

This is especially so if you want to develop an understanding of the Onboard Diagnostic Generation II computer system that runs your engine, transmission, cruise control, security system, etc..

Much of the technical data for this article I wrote came from the FSM.. Look at the article and judge for yourself.. Also this one..

The FSM consists of Volume 1 and Volume 2 which together are about 5 - 6" thick... Lots of information..

You can also learn a lot from the articles on 4x4wire and the forums

I would also add the electrical wiring book if you ever plan to make any modifications involving wiring. Personally, I wouldn't attempt any electrical work without it. There is just too much wiring and electronics in a modern vehicle to get by without one in my opinion. If you're primarily interested in maintenance at this point, it could be lower priority though.

Alan

I think Vol. 2 and the wiring volume are extremely useful. I rarely use Vol. 1 which is specifications, diagnostics, and maintenance info. Most of the specs are still in Volume 2, but scattered around the chapters. It's still reassuring to know that I have Volume 1 when I need to diagnose something difficult.

You have a V6. All the Haynes would be good for is a kneepad or for outhouse reading. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Up here, the dealership is $75/hr. The good, nondealer Toyota guy in town is $45/hr. You do the math.

Welcome to the forum! If you want to get started on maintenance, go to the tech and maintenance articles on this site; granted, not a lot for the 3.4, but it's a good source to use to start navigating your way around your rig.

10-4 what the other guys said too.

If you plan on doing most of the maintenance on your 4Runner, GET THE TOYOTA MANUALS! They are extremely useful! Everything you need to know about your 4Runner will be in those 3 books - 2 service books and 1electrical guide. It shows you break downs of everything! If your 4Runner is making a funny noise or anything like that, will find a chart that will tell you where to look for the problem. Error code coming upàit will tell you what that error code means and how to fix it. It has to be extremely detailed b/c it's what the mechanics use so it has to be good!

Yes, they are expensive but well worth the price. I think it is well worth the extra $$$ you pay for the Toyota manuals! You might want to search on eBay or www.froogle.com b/c you might find them cheaper.

Oh, and welcome to this forum!!! Just about all the information I have needed to do stuff on my 4Runner (lift, bumper, lights, sliders, modifications, etc) has come from the guys on this forum. Just about anything you will do to your 4Runner, someone on this forum has probably already done

Ditto on the Haynes manual ... totally useless for any serious detailed work. I have four of them for previous vehicles and all are just too general for my needs and they seem to skip around between the models covered in each one. Get the Factory FSMs.

And welcome to the board!

Ricochet

After reading everyone's helpful posts, you guys have convinced me and I've decided to go with the Factory Service Manual.

Called Toyota Distribution Center (thanks Dandeman) and was quoted as follows (Gulp!):
Volume 1 - $66.80
Volume 2 - $118.74
Electrical - $47.09

Ouch!! I couldn't believe the prices!...I even asked the woman for clarification.

So it looks like I'll be doing some serious hunting for used ones. But until then I'll be making use of the great maintenance articles here at 4x4wire.com.

Thanks to everyone for helping out a newbie...I think I'm going to enjoy this forum.

You might also investigate some of the on-line toyota dealers, too. I'm seeking manuals for my ' 00 Highlander. ToyotaWorld.com is about $30.oo cheaper than the prices you were quoted.

1999 4Runner
Electrical 42.37
Vol. 1 58.30
Vol. 2 103.70

There maybe others, I'm still shopping, too.
e-Bay lists Vol's 1 & 2 for $130, but I believe they're photocopies.

Jay Mark's Toyota World <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Welcome to the board.
Oh...and by the way...GET THE TOYOTA MANUALS!

RoadKill <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />