What's the difference between the repair manual cd's that is for sale for $30 on ebay and the repair manual that costs like $200 from dealers. I am in need of one.

 

The CD on ebay is a super short summary of the ~2000 page Dealer book. The cd will give you all the specifications you need, but it gives you few diagrams (gives you all electrical though). The book has everything you want, and gives step by step instructions and diagrams that follow with it. I bought both of them and the book is the best in my opinion. The only annoying parts of the book is that it's so big (8 pounds) and the book tells you all the tools you need to do a service; some of the tools you need to get from Toyota.

 

Thanks Alot.............. Now all i need to do is find a 94' repair manual.

 

I think the manuals go for 140 each on lexuspros.com. They have both the mechanical and the electrical manuals. I might be able to get them cheaper from a freind. I will see what I can do.

 

Keep an eye out on ebay, they come along occassionaly. You might want to post a WTB thread in the classifieds too.

 

I have both and the books are by far the better. I would not attempt to do repairs before refering to the book as you may end up with more problems than you start with.

I refred to both when I did the timing belt / H2o pump on my 400. The CD did not have enough information, and the books had more than was needed.

DEFINETLY spring for the books, as the CD although convienient, is less than complete.

928

Here is a hint when using the books, always make copies of the pages you are using, that way you can refer to them when doing the job, otherwise you are going to grease up the books, and they will look cra**.

Using this method, you can "check off" the steps you have completed so it makes it easier to know where you are at when attemting an involved procedure. Works great!

 

Not to mention it is pretty difficult dragging your PC outside everytime you want to work on your car!!!!

I had the CD for a different car and spent half the time running in and out checking what I was doing - no printer!!!

Jonny
Drinkdontdrive@aol.com

 

There is no doubt the Service Manual is far better being much more detailed and containing full troubleshooting guides for the SC, the $30 CD is more of a summary and I found many of the pages where not actually SC specific.

However there is a CD called The Soarer Bible, this has the US Service Manual & J Spec manuals (Japanese only for the 1JZ/2JZ) contained on one CD (18,000 pages), costs £45 in the UK from TIFBITZ.

 

The lexus books are the best. I've bought Ford books, Mazda books and seen others. The Lexus books were written by people who were well paid, thoughtful and english speakers. When you are in the middle of a BIG job, these Lexus books will save you. They are worth the expense.

I have a set of 1993's for sale or trade for a set of 1996 SC400 books.

F