CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8)  pertaining to the Oshkosh Truck  Corporation  1990 Incentive Stock Plan of
our report dated  October 30, 1998,  except for Note 11, as to which the date is
December 8, 1998,  with  respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of
Oshkosh Truck  Corporation  incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended September 30, 1998 and the related financial  statement
schedules included therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


/s/  Ernst & Young LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 25, 1999