diesel/gasser differences

[ludlowthudpucker]

I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.

It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser
peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.

The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other than
the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference in
an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride
suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both
have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the
gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than
just the engine?

Any info would be great.

[Markus Meyer]

This link should help a little:



http://www.vintagebirds.com/



Click on the history link and then you can see model specs and even year by year differences.

Markus

---

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: ludlowthudpucker@...
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 21:35:27 +0000
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] diesel/gasser differences

I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser wanderlodge of any given year.

It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.

The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than just the engine?

Any info would be great.

---

Microsoft brings you a new way to search the web. Try Bing™ now

[freewill2008]

Start here: http://vintagebirds.com/ Go to "History" when you get there.

Please tell us your name.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
>
> I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.
>
> It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser
peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
>
> The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other
than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference
in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride
suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both
have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the
gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than
just the engine?
>
> Any info would be great.
>

[ludlowthudpucker]

Thanks Bob,
I'll check it out and see if it helps. These Yahoo forums are a bit strange, it
doesn't seem to have a place for a signature (or at least I haven't found it
yet) so I'll just put it at the end of this post.

What I'm looking for is more than just lists of which years had diesel/gas
available, but specific specs for diesel vs gasser and real experience from
gasser owners.

Steve Hutter
Florida


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "freewill2008" wrote:
>
> Start here: http://vintagebirds.com/ Go to "History" when you get there.
>
> Please tell us your name.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
> >
> > I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.
> >
> > It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any
gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
> >
> > The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other
than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference
in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride
suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both
have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the
gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than
just the engine?
> >
> > Any info would be great.
> >
>

[Markus Meyer]

Steve,



The Vintage Birds website does give you year by year specs, as well as differences year by year. So, it will tell you hp, weight, capacities, transmission type and number of speeds, etc.

Markus

---

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: ludlowthudpucker@...
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 11:34:57 +0000
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: diesel/gasser differences

Thanks Bob,
I'll check it out and see if it helps. These Yahoo forums are a bit strange, it doesn't seem to have a place for a signature (or at least I haven't found it yet) so I'll just put it at the end of this post.

What I'm looking for is more than just lists of which years had diesel/gas available, but specific specs for diesel vs gasser and real experience from gasser owners.

Steve Hutter
Florida

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "freewill2008" ...> wrote:
>
> Start here: http://vintagebirds.com/ Go to "History" when you get there.
>
> Please tell us your name.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "ludlowthudpucker" > wrote:
> >
> > I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser wanderlodge of any given year.
> >
> > It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
> >
> > The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than just the engine?
> >
> > Any info would be great.
> >
>

---

Microsoft brings you a new way to search the web. Try Bing™ now

[freewill2008]

Steve - Air suspension started around 1980 and gassers ended around 1978, so
no standard Wanderlodges had both air suspension and a gas engine. Air was
*maybe* an available option earlier.

The chassis is pretty much the same for all FCs. 34,000 GVW with body-on-frame
construction.

By the time diesel and air suspension became standard, brakes were air. Not
sure when hydraulic brakes were used, but it goes back to early 70s.

80s FC all had 22.5" wheels AFAIK. I think some early 70's had 20".

Many FCs have a Telma (also marketed by Jacobs) electric driveline retarder.
Not sure when they started but would guess the 80s.

I've heard of both 391 and 534 Ford gassers. There are several gasser owners on
this forum. Maybe someone will chime in.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
>
> Thanks Bob,
> I'll check it out and see if it helps. These Yahoo forums are a bit strange,
it doesn't seem to have a place for a signature (or at least I haven't found it
yet) so I'll just put it at the end of this post.
>
> What I'm looking for is more than just lists of which years had diesel/gas
available, but specific specs for diesel vs gasser and real experience from
gasser owners.
>
> Steve Hutter
> Florida
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "freewill2008" wrote:
> >
> > Start here: http://vintagebirds.com/ Go to "History" when you get there.
> >
> > Please tell us your name.
> >
> > Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
> > >
> > > I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.
> > >
> > > It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any
gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
> > >
> > > The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis.
Other than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any
difference in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the
air ride suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do
they both have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake
for the gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference
other than just the engine?
> > >
> > > Any info would be great.
> > >
> >
>

[Chet Geist]

Steve,

There is a 1973 gasser with a ford engine for sale if you will check the posts for 09/13/09. The photos look like it is not in too bad a shape and the price is right. Coach is in New Braunfels, Texas.

Chet Geist

1981 FC33, Austin, Texas

-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of freewill2008
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 1:24 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: diesel/gasser differences

Steve - Air suspension started around 1980 and gassers ended around 1978, so no standard Wanderlodges had both air suspension and a gas engine. Air was *maybe* an available option earlier.

The chassis is pretty much the same for all FCs. 34,000 GVW with body-on-frame construction.

By the time diesel and air suspension became standard, brakes were air. Not sure when hydraulic brakes were used, but it goes back to early 70s.

80s FC all had 22.5" wheels AFAIK. I think some early 70's had 20".

Many FCs have a Telma (also marketed by Jacobs) electric driveline retarder. Not sure when they started but would guess the 80s.

I've heard of both 391 and 534 Ford gassers. There are several gasser owners on this forum. Maybe someone will chime in.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "ludlowthudpucker" ...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Bob,
> I'll check it out and see if it helps. These Yahoo forums are a bit strange, it doesn't seem to have a place for a signature (or at least I haven't found it yet) so I'll just put it at the end of this post.
>
> What I'm looking for is more than just lists of which years had diesel/gas available, but specific specs for diesel vs gasser and real experience from gasser owners.
>
> Steve Hutter
> Florida
>
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "freewill2008" > wrote:
> >
> > Start here: http://vintagebirds.com/ Go to "History" when you get there.
> >
> > Please tell us your name.
> >
> > Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
> >
> > --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "ludlowthudpucker" > wrote:
> > >
> > > I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser wanderlodge of any given year.
> > >
> > > It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
> > >
> > > The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than just the engine?
> > >
> > > Any info would be great.
> > >
> >
>

[ludlowthudpucker]

I appreciate all those who have chimed in so far, lots of good info! Are there
any actual gasser owners out there that can tell about thier experience with
one. I am leaning heavy towards the diesel, for all the obvious reasons, but I
always like to have all the info I can. I figure if they made gasser models, I
should get a good perpective on those too, in order to make sure my decision is
based on as many facts as possible.

If all things are equal in any given year except for the motor being either gas
or diesel, then the huge price breaks on the gassers may be attractive. If the
performance is lousy and the gassers are undependable, coupled with other
substantial differences, then the price break may not be a value at all.

Steve Hutter.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ludlowthudpucker"
wrote:
>
> I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser
wanderlodge of any given year.
>
> It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser
peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
>
> The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other
than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference
in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride
suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both
have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the
gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than
just the engine?
>
> Any info would be great.
>

[jvredden@...]

Therebus a gas BB in NC craiga list Charlotte. Looks in good shape. Wants 6k

John Redden
91 PT 40
NC

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeed

---

From: "ludlowthudpucker"
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:34:52 -0000
To:
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: diesel/gasser differences

I appreciate all those who have chimed in so far, lots of good info! Are there any actual gasser owners out there that can tell about thier experience with one. I am leaning heavy towards the diesel, for all the obvious reasons, but I always like to have all the info I can. I figure if they made gasser models, I should get a good perpective on those too, in order to make sure my decision is based on as many facts as possible.

If all things are equal in any given year except for the motor being either gas or diesel, then the huge price breaks on the gassers may be attractive. If the performance is lousy and the gassers are undependable, coupled with other substantial differences, then the price break may not be a value at all.

Steve Hutter.

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "ludlowthudpucker" ...> wrote:
>
> I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser wanderlodge of any given year.
>
> It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.
>
> The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than just the engine?
>
> Any info would be great.
>

[Pete Masterson]

From the Vintage Birds web site...

From 1964 through 1976 the Ford industrial gas engine was factory installed as the standard engine.

In 1977 the switch from gas to diesel started. The Cat 3208 NA (non turbo) was the standard diesel engine. Early 77 units (still) had the gas engine.

1978 there were still a few gas engine units delivered (probably 77s carried over to 78... but give 1978 model year) with mostly diesel units.

1979 was the 15th anniversary unit - the first pusher. All used the diesel Cat 3208.

After 1979 only diesels were produced with air suspension added in 1980.

Pete Masterson

(former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Oct 2, 2009, at 4:34 PM, ludlowthudpucker wrote:

I appreciate all those who have chimed in so far, lots of good info! Are there any actual gasser owners out there that can tell about thier experience with one. I am leaning heavy towards the diesel, for all the obvious reasons, but I always like to have all the info I can. I figure if they made gasser models, I should get a good perpective on those too, in order to make sure my decision is based on as many facts as possible.

If all things are equal in any given year except for the motor being either gas or diesel, then the huge price breaks on the gassers may be attractive. If the performance is lousy and the gassers are undependable, coupled with other substantial differences, then the price break may not be a value at all.

Steve Hutter.

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "ludlowthudpucker" wrote:

I am trying to understand the full difference between a diesel or gasser wanderlodge of any given year.

It seems hard to find much info on the powertrain difference, could any gasser peeps, give any insight to thier experience with a gasser unit.

The area that I can't seem to find any info on at all is the chassis. Other than the gasser (usually a Ford industrial 391 (I think))Is there any difference in an FC gasser unit as compared to the diesel. Do they both have the air ride suspension? Do they both have airbrakes? Are the chassis identical? Do they both have 22 inch tires? Do both have brake assist system (Maybe not a jake for the gasser,but a retarder of some sort)? Are there any other difference other than just the engine?

Any info would be great.