Ford Truck Reviews

Purchased for my hubby who is restoring a '55 ford truck, he wasn't too thrilled with the lack of info. in it. Unless you just want to buy it to say you have it, thats fine, but for a help in restoring of caring for a auto, its not worth it.

I have this book in my personal reference library. It is an outstanding compilation of Vehicle Information Data. The information contained in this reference is the most complete source found in a single book. Extremely unique vehicles are not covered in detail, however about 98% of what's out there is satisfactorily covered. You can't go wrong with this source if your looking to decode your trucks production information.

if you have a older ford truck pass this book up. no info worth
reading here for my 1965. example no 4x4 breakdown for the 65
hayes book is much better

So I'm covered in mud and (ouch) gravel--funny how those sharp stones can really stick to your skin. Anyway, I'm trying to resurect a half-dead 1965 Ford Pick up by myself, with very few tools. I'm what I'd consider mildly mechanically competent, but with the time honored tradition of Chilton Manuals I've managed to work on my own cars with very good results. For older vehicles you'll also want to get the original manual (usually not too hard to find.)Chances are if you're looking at this book you're already comfortable working on your own vehicle, but on the off chance that you're a novice, consider this. Getting comfortable with working on your own vehicle and getting to know your vehicle is the best thing you can do. It saves you money in the long run and you'll feel empowered when you gap your own spark plugs for the first time. Seriously, with this book anyone should feel comfortable taking a look under the hood of their vehicle and doing a little work.

'Chilton's' is generally considered the industry standard in this area. However, I found this version to be missing much basic information. For example, no fuse block diagram, no door lock/door window control section, heater control removal/installation is referred to in parts of the book, but is not present. I'll be looking to Haynes next time.

The Ford E series vans tend be be a bit out of the mainstream as far as repair manuals go. Most of the vans purchased in the US tend to go to instuitions or companies with fleet repair centers, so the individual owner interested in doing their own work has a tough time. This Chilton's manual for the E series, part of their total car care series, does a good job of supplying a great deal of information to help the individual owner. Ther are some problems though, and some important areas are oddly ignored. There are also several examples of spotty editing, and it does not look like any one knowldgeable person actually read the entire book. The electronic engine control system is completly ignored. This omission is very serious, since aside from the basic functioning of things like alternators, water pumps and crankshafts, the EEC as it's called, has more to do with the correct operation of the engine and transmission than anything else in the vehicle. There are simple self-test functions in the EEC that allow an owner to at least understand what sensor, Etc. is not working and to possibly repair the vehicle. Some text in the book claims that there are no electrical wiring diagrams, yet nearly a quarter of the pages are devoted to very complet and detailed schematics of all the covered E series vans. Coverage of the body, doors, locks Etc. is incomplete and frustrating to this owner of a '90 E250, as is information on the various models, sizes and capacities of the big ford vans. On the other hand, Everything you might want to know about the antilock braking system, the various rear ends used by Ford and all of the engine and running gear mechanical parts is well covered. All in all, a good reference work, but you can not truly do "total car care" with just this one book. For myself, I've added it to the one other E series manual and the EEV manual on my shelf.

I have used chiltons books for many years for different model cars and motorcycles. Do you also provide a CD with maintenance manuel type information. At our local auto parts dealer I've seen CDs maintenance information. I understand from the store employee that the CD is much more comprehensive and has better pictorial details. I'd like to get some more information on the CD. Thanks, Eli Elias

This is the second repair manual that I purchased that covers the '66 to '77 Bronco, as well as others. The first was the Haynes Pick-ups & Broncos 1973 thru 1979, and I can say without a doubt that the Chiltons manual is far superior. However, it still tends to concentrate on the '78 and later Broncos. I have a '76, and while it gives relatively detailed instructions for the later models, it usually only gives vague instructions for the early trucks, or omits them altogether. It's a handy reference, but not sufficient for more involved work or restoration. Your best bet is still the factory service manual.

This manual is much better than the Hayne's version; however, it still requires some improvement in the details. A huge improvement could be made by separating this book into several different publications covering fewer model years.

As a Diesel Tempo owner, I was disappointed by this book, but am finding it BARELY sufficient for my projects. In order to complete any project, be prepared to read, and reread this book several times just to find all the relevant information for any given job, as it is necessary to be VERY familiar with this book due to the lack of cross referencing. Many of the steps are vague, and indeed some steps are omitted, ie in order to remove the dash, there is no mention made of having to remove much of the trim, or how that would be done, the illustrations neglect to mention SEVERAL screws, with no helpful hints on removal (for instance the three screws on the top of the dash near the bottom of the windshield which must be removed with a flexible shaft extension if you don't feel like removing the windshield), and merely stating "disconnect the electrical connections" doesn't quite cut it, especially for the first timer. The parts lists are also incomplete, and very confusing, as some parts are listed twice (Quick Start System Control Unit - Glow plug with the Mazda part# = Module - Glow plug Control with the Ford part#, or, like the pre-glow and after-glow relays, are listed only as a switch - glow plug (even the main diesel tech at Ford Service Dept. didn't know that they were the same thing). While much is left to guesswork and - because its a Ford - wild and loose imagination, if you are reasonably handy with a wrench, and into spending a few days pondering how to get at this part or wondering if this is the actual part (The name on the Glow plug control module (Ford's listing name) was Q.G.S Controller DC12V, the wiring diagram called it Diesel Control Module, the number stamped on it didn't match the parts list under either aforementioned name (Ford - E4EE 12M092 AA, Mazda - RF10 18 701A), and none of the other little black boxes under the left side of the dash had any relevant numbers on them either...) and you can't find the Haynes for your car, then this book is a necessity (as it is for me), so buy it, and trade the money you saved on the work your doing yourself for the hassle of doing it the Chiltons way. (BTW if anyone has a resistor or a Q.G.S Controller/diesel control module/glow plug control module/Quick Start System Control Unit that works, pls email me!) Oh and save yourself some headaches and don't buy a ford :)

The section on front disc brake repair disassembly of the front wheel drive hubs is explained well in words and pictures. If there is anything negative it's the electrical section - it leaves you asking more questions than it answers.

I got the 89-98 edition (amazingly Amazon.Com doesn't have the updated edition for sale). It's practically useless for the 98 model because it doesn't list the correct engine power output, nor does it include various 98-up components that aren't found on previous models. Such components include the 4-bar link and watt's linkage in the rear suspension. However, if you have a Crown Vic made between 89-97 then this guide is good. Definitely worth the money if you don't want to shell out major bucks for the factory service guide. However, buyer beware - Chiltons is still Chiltons and it doesn't cover engine and transmission overhauls in enough detail.