Just went to the Baldwin filter site. The Baldwin PF7977 replaces Fleetguard FS19800 which is a 10 micron which was replaced with the Fleetguard FS19856 7 micron. Baldwin does not list a micron rating for there PF7977. If you read into this, that would make you think that the Baldwin PF7977 is a 10 micron equal to the FS19800...

 

The FS19800E, there is no FS19800, is a 7 micron and the same filter as the FS19856, just a different O-ring. I have the spec sheet from balwin as well as other baldwin data. The PF7977 is 99.24% at 5 microns, so absolute at 5 microns.

 

Oops! Sorry I left the "E" off...The FS19856 also change to a plastic body also ..RIGHT! To be environmental friendly....
I glad for you to have the spec sheet on the Baldwin filter. I maybe wrong but I don't think you got it off of their web site. You had to go to Baldwin for that information via e-mail or phone to get the specs sheet. You would think that with everybody concern about what they are using that Baldwin and some of the other filter company's would post complete information about their filters. When you search out something like fuel filters on the web and compare the specs that are given on the web sites most all of the fuel filters compare a long the same lines by information giving online.
A good comparison would be WIX to Baldwin by their web sites.
WIX 33585XE - High Efficiency version (Glass media) 7 micron>>nothing said about Water Separator Element.
Baldwin PF7977 Microlite Fuel/Water Separator Element >>nothing said about micron rating.
Neither site gives you the full spec break down of either filter...
I haven't figured out why it's such a big secret not to show the full specs.

 

Yes I got the spec sheet from baldwin via email.

Fleetguard told me that the filter on the FS18956 was the exact filter of the FS19800E.. so I don't know about that.

The websites don't show full specs because 99% of people don't care, plain and simple. Most people just say I have "x" vehicle and need a filter.. if they even change it themselves. If you think its hard to get specs from fleetguard/baldwin/wix.. try getting cat specs... since they don't make cross reference filters they don't publish specs... for the most part.

 

I run the 5 mic Baldwin drop in, before my 2 mic Cat, I am going back to Fleetguard for the 2 mic, as it is 25 to 33% larger. I think I only paid around 11 bucks for baldwin. Thanks to all of you who took the time to get some answers and sharing them with rest of us. Go DTR!

 

Which fleetguard 2 mic, and which cat?

 

what price are you guys paying? i pay $20 canadian for my WIX#33585 fuel filter. that is what my local dealer gives me for my 2004.5 ram diesel. i see you guys are paying $75 and the numer is #33585XE am i getting the wrong filter?

 

The 33585XE is around 10-11 dollars here http://www.filter1.com/order.htm
Again, I buy all my filters from them and you can't beat the prices.

As far as the saga of what filter is better. You decide that. I am 100% comfortable running the Wix filters. 95,000 miles worth so far on the diesel with no issues.

 

The XE is the more efficient version, 7 vs 10, but they are both nominally rated.

 

I get all of my filters from fleetfilter.com. 85,000 miles and no problems with Napa/Wix.

 

And you may never have one, but I can't bring myself to run a filter that doesn't meet OEM specs.

 

You should be running a 7 micron or finer fuel filter. Down South here:
Fleetguard FS19856 7 micron from online at Gino's Garage $14.95
WIX 33585XE 7 micron local price $14.25
Baldwin PF7977 5 micron local price $7.94

 

I went and bought a Baldwin PF7977 today at a local parts supply house. It cost me $8.34. I thought wow that is right at half the cost of what I have been paying for the Fleetguard. When I first opened the box and looked at the filter I wasn't really to impressed. It looked like a paper filter. So I called Baldwin which turn out to be somewhat of a interesting call. Their tech's are very friendly and willing to to talk to a point. So I called twice and talked to two different tech's to see what answers I could get.
I asked them both about the filter media that it looked like a paper filter. They both told me that the filter media was made up of a two part celulose/glass blend which they called Microlite but would not go into any detail on what the make was or how it is made. One tech said and if I understood him right, he said that the Baldwin PF7977 filter media was comparable to the Fleetguard StrataPore. Both Baldwin Techs did state the the PF7977 fuel filter is a 5 micron absolute Fuel/Water Separator Element .
I'm going to try one and see how it goes. I hope that it is has good has they say it is.

From what I understand is the change in the Fleetguard FS18956 is the housing. The FS18956 now has a plastic housing and the FS19800E had a metal housing. Which now makes the FS19856 environmental friendly.

 

I wish I could get the Baldwin filters for $8.34 but being I live in a small town you wind up paying more. But the price I pay is still less then what it would cost to buy from Geno's before shipping cost are added. My self I'll find out how good the Baldwin filters hold up as winter temps will show up here in a few months.

 

I've been dealing with this parts store for a long time so they give me good pricing on items I need.....I don't know what average retail is on the Baldwin fuel filter. I've seen them online for approx $13.00