Shifter, check...
onto my DIS.
Any upgrade options for this?
might the coil pack off the 94-5 5.0 work? the 4.6? Obviously noone makes an upgrade for the 2.3 coil pack...
Also rear ends? could I grab the rear off a 5.0 and slap it in (xcept for the brakes)? any tip/tricks?
I have bolted in a 5.0 8.8 Axle in with very little problems.
An 8.8 from any Fox will go in, a few things might be a problem.
1. If your 2.3 is an automatic, I'm told you will have a driveshaft issue. Not sure how to deal with it, If it is a 5 speed, there is no driveshaft issue.
2. The drum brakes are the same for 2.3 and 5.0.
3. The rubber brake line is located in different places, but I have dealt with it a very easy way. Most people say you have to re-run the rear brake line from the front to the back which requires passenger fender removal. You do not need to do this. I have figured out the best way to deal with it:
simply pull the old axle out. Try not to damage the rubber hose, (or buy a new one for a 2.3 if it looks bad). put old axle one next to the 8.8 axle. Now, simply remove the metal brake line systems from each axle and swap over. The 2.3 axle has the brake line Tee on the passenger side and it's held down by the vent tube bolt. Remove the brake lines off the 8.8. The 8.8 axle has the vent hole in about the same place. Unbolt the vent hole check valve off the 8.8 and put the 2.3 entire brake line system on. you may have bend the lines a little to get them to fit, but they basically bolt in without too much hassle.
When i swapped in my 8.8, my wheel cylinders from the 2.3 were in better shape and the drums of the 8.8 were in better shape, so I simply put the best stuff on the 8.8 and bolted it in....and 60,000 plus mile all is still good....welll except that i put in 2.71 gears thinking major overdrive since most driving i do is highway.....too much gear for the 2.3 for 5th gear. It worked out ok...I run 4th gear and turn 2500 RPM at 75 mph...gets the 30 MPG versus the same in 5th at 55 MPH on old axle.
I do plan on getting another 8.8 with 3.08 gear. I think tht will allow me to run 5th gear...just waiting to find a good one in the yard.