Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:36 am Post subject: Differences between the years of campers
We should document the differences between the years. I'd like to write it up as an article when we get the information compiled, and add pictures. This is a long term project, obviously. Corrections, additional information, please post below! Everyone can contribute to this one.
1989 - 1999 - What changed?
Exterior, top:
In 1989 the top had two windows that were square.
In 1990 that changed to a single large window with rounded corners
In 1997 they shortened the front of the top.
Connections:
In 1997, they switched from a permanently installed power cord to a detachable one, per Alaskan.
Interior, table:
Alaskan already posted a thread with the different tables used. Update from lowbudget: the 1989-1996 all had the center pole on slides table.
Interior, bathroom:
In 1997 the bathroom went from a separate toilet and shower with no sink to a sink/shower/toilet all-in-one setup.
Interior, kitchen:
Starting in 1996, the stove and fridge/microwave swapped sides. For most (all?) years, the standard was a 3-burner stove/no oven, and optional was a 4-burner stove with an oven, which replaced a cabinet.
The water tank moved at some point. In 1991 it's under the counter by the door, but later it's somewhere else (as evidenced by Alaskan's table pictures).
Starting in 1997, the kitchen sink changed from a single sink to a double sink. (Correction by ChasingRain: 1994.) Actually, the double-sink may have been an option; however if you have it you lose one drawer that would be below the right sink. Also at least some double sinks seem to have a separate spray nozzle - not sure if that's factory or not.
Before 1991, it appears the kitchen sink was closer to the wall where the fridge is, but for 1991 it moved toward the front of the van 18" or so (based on Eagle's pictures of his 1990 and my 1991).
Interior - Lighting
During 1992-1994 (not sure which year), the lighting above the couch changed from brown fixtures with directional lights to white fixtures with non-directional lights (they appear in pictures to be the same lights that are used in the bunk in 1991 models and possibly prior models).
Interior - Headliner
Sometime after 1991, but by 1994, the headliner switched from cloth to vinyl.
Drivetrain:
The 460 was discontinued after 1996 and was replaced with the V10 option. Does anyone know what transmission the V10 used? Was it the same E4OD?
Spare tire:
Per ChasingRain, the spare tire moved from outside to inside starting in 1997. (Was it always hanging on the back door before that?)
(A general note about the chassis: I don't intend to cover the changes to it - the hubcaps, the new grill, new taillights, etc. - outside of the major drivetrain changes. The other changes are already well covered elsewhere.) _________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460
Rebuilt Jasper E4OD transmission
Pioneer head unit, wired to coach power system, with Sirius tuner
Inteli-Power PD9260C 60 amp converter
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
Last edited by skater on Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:21 am; edited 9 times in total
Thanks - main post updated with new info. _________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460
Rebuilt Jasper E4OD transmission
Pioneer head unit, wired to coach power system, with Sirius tuner
Inteli-Power PD9260C 60 amp converter
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
Perhaps the double sink was an option? The 1996 brochure in the Downloads section only shows a single one on the floor plan (which is why I said I thought it started in 1997). It's also possible the brochure is wrong. _________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460
Rebuilt Jasper E4OD transmission
Pioneer head unit, wired to coach power system, with Sirius tuner
Inteli-Power PD9260C 60 amp converter
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
I added a scan of my 1991 brochure into the Downloads section.
It indicates the standard stove was a 2 burner model and the four burner was optional. Also by the wording, it implies that the 2 burner stove doesn't have an oven - seriously, it does not list an oven in the standard equipment, but does mention it in the optional equipment _________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460
Rebuilt Jasper E4OD transmission
Pioneer head unit, wired to coach power system, with Sirius tuner
Inteli-Power PD9260C 60 amp converter
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
Pictures would be nice - would people be willing to let me use pictures in the gallery for the article? Credit will be given, of course.
If you're not comfortable with having them in the article, please say so - I don't want to annoy anyone. (As an amateur photographer myself, I get annoyed when people use my pictures without permission, so I don't want to do the same to others.) _________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460
Rebuilt Jasper E4OD transmission
Pioneer head unit, wired to coach power system, with Sirius tuner
Inteli-Power PD9260C 60 amp converter
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
Updated with some more information. I think it's almost time to start writing the article with pictures. _________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460
Rebuilt Jasper E4OD transmission
Pioneer head unit, wired to coach power system, with Sirius tuner
Inteli-Power PD9260C 60 amp converter
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
Joined: Mar 21, 2007 Posts: 433 Location: Alaska and Washington
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:
Good idea skater...
Something I noticed about the 1989 top...
If you look at the picture of Carlos's rig (slide-show) you'll notice that not only does it have the double-windows the overhang over the front windshield is similar the the 1997 and newer....no real overhang at all
Now look at Lowbudgets 1989....the same two separate front window but the overhang is like the 1990-1996
Perhaps due to the transition between these rigs being built out in British Columbia by Okanagan and Airstream taking them over
Click on those 2 pictures in the slide-show to increase the size and its easier to see that difference..
Yes on the power cord hook-up...the 1997 and later have a canon-plug/twist-lock cord attachment....same type as used in marine.
I'll get you some pictures taken skater...
Last edited by Alaskan on Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:49 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: Mar 21, 2007 Posts: 433 Location: Alaska and Washington
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject:
From Carlos back in 2006 on his 1989...
Hello from Anchorage, Alaska !
Well my 1989 Airstream has several cosmetic differences, mine is grey
with the 2 tone blue stripes on the sides, on the fiberglass top I
have the word "Airstream" in the front it appears above the drivers
side and below the upper right window (facing the B190) and off center
and below the 2 toned blue stripe, on the rear its is centered.
The word Airstream is blue and about 1/2" thick and appears to be made out of some sort of composite material.
Now for the inside, mine has a 4 burner stove with oven and above the
stove is the microwave. The sofa/bed setup on mine doesn't have access
to the storage compartment under the sofa. The engine cover on my B190
doesn't have that nice cup holder and top. Also my chairs are covered with cloth.
I do not have a built in generator.
The Chassis and motor were produced in the U.S. and the coach
attached in Canada. There is a Okanagan manufacture seal and/or ID
plate on the drivers side door post.
The power plant for this awesome rig is the very robust 460 ci, it is
very powerful but thirsty engine.
Joined: Aug 18, 2007 Posts: 47 Location: Rappahannock Academy, VA
B190 Year: 1990
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject:
Not sure what you are looking for, but the stove is a 2 burner with no oven.
I have a single stainless steel sink.
If you want pictures, other than what is on my site, let me know. Be happy to get any that you may want. _________________ Wayne 1990 Airstream http://www.goses.org/My_Toy.html
Okay, I thought that the "base model" stove was simply a three-burner stove, then the optional one was the four-burner model with an oven. That seems to be how it was most years.
Perhaps the "base model" stove was upgraded starting in 1991 to the three burner model, and prior to that the base model was a two-burner. I'm just guessing this based on the flyer we have in the downloads section for 1991.
It's likely we'll never be able to figure all of the quirks out. _________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460
Rebuilt Jasper E4OD transmission
Pioneer head unit, wired to coach power system, with Sirius tuner
Inteli-Power PD9260C 60 amp converter
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in
Corrections, additional information, please post below! Everyone can contribute to this one. 
