Differences between the years of campers...and bed sizes
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:36 pm
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.
Exterior, fridge venting:
Early models had two side vents for the fridge. Starting in 1996, they removed the upper side vent and installed a roof vent, which should improve air flow. This continued in the 1997 redesign. (Added 6/7/21.)
Connections:
In 1997, they switched from a permanently installed power cord to a detachable one, per Alaskan.
In 1991, there was a 120 volt power outlet just behind the door curbside, and the cable TV and phone jacks were by the water heater. At some point, perhaps for 1992, they moved the cable TV and phone jacks to where the power outlet was and discontinued the exterior 120 volt outlet. (Added 6/3/21; we'll post more info on this as we get it.)
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. It was mounted on the back door before that.
Gray & Blackwater:
In 1990, the B190 had a combined gray/black tank, with the sewer connection just behind the left-rear tire (I assume this is true for 1989 models as well). Starting in 1991, the tanks were separated, and the outlet faces out the back of the van, on the left side.
Bed Sizes
Length and width are available in this post. Looking for someone to measure height.
(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.)
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.
Exterior, fridge venting:
Early models had two side vents for the fridge. Starting in 1996, they removed the upper side vent and installed a roof vent, which should improve air flow. This continued in the 1997 redesign. (Added 6/7/21.)
Connections:
In 1997, they switched from a permanently installed power cord to a detachable one, per Alaskan.
In 1991, there was a 120 volt power outlet just behind the door curbside, and the cable TV and phone jacks were by the water heater. At some point, perhaps for 1992, they moved the cable TV and phone jacks to where the power outlet was and discontinued the exterior 120 volt outlet. (Added 6/3/21; we'll post more info on this as we get it.)
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. It was mounted on the back door before that.
Gray & Blackwater:
In 1990, the B190 had a combined gray/black tank, with the sewer connection just behind the left-rear tire (I assume this is true for 1989 models as well). Starting in 1991, the tanks were separated, and the outlet faces out the back of the van, on the left side.
Bed Sizes
Length and width are available in this post. Looking for someone to measure height.
(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.)