Computer on 2.3 placement predicament

[Mark_88]

As the title says...I swapped the 88 cab onto a 96 frame using a 98 2.5 engine that was running fine before all this happened (it's still in a coma until ready) and the 96 dash into the 88 cab. All that is OK and workable...

The problem, as some of you know, is the placement of the computer. On the 96 and other later models the computer is located in the firewall and sits in a plastic sleeve that goes from the outer firewall, through the drain cavity and part of it sticks out through the inside of the cab. Only problem with that is there is no provision on the 88 for this...although it is probably something I could do...

Another solution would be to simply cut all the wires and splice in an extension so that the computer could go inside like the 86 through 92 and sit behind the passenger side kick panel.

If anyone has done either I am looking for input. Seems like there would be maybe 20 wires to splice and that is nothing too difficult...the hacking of the firewall would be just as easy since I pulled the plastic case with the computer...I just would have to pull the dash again and line everything up and fire up the old cutting wheel/jigsaw...

Again, looking for input as to what way would be the best...

 

[Mikel89us]

I'm about to do the same thing with mine. I put an 01 2.5 in I with wiring and computer. My problem I I have the 89 dash in mine still.

 

[SenorNoob]

What about just building a box to place it in under hood wherever is most convenient?

 

[Mark_88]

What about just building a box to place it in under hood wherever is most convenient?

Thanks for the input.

I thought about this also because in the process of swapping in the 96 dash I also swapped in the 96 heater box. This does not have a/c and the compartment for that is almost an exact fit for the computer...it would actually stick in vertically where the a/c core would normally go...just a bit tight and I didn't want to cut the box only to find it won't go willingly...lol

I figured the worst case in that would be the computer would be exposed to the warm air that passes over the heater core...but I don't think the air moves that way...

I can look into that a bit more because it was what I thought to be the best place under the circumstances...

EDIT: Only other problem with this was the ground wire for the computer is on the back end and that means I would have to make it longer and find a ground on the firewall...that shouldn't be hard either...

 

[Mark_88]

I'm about to do the same thing with mine. I put an 01 2.5 in I with wiring and computer. My problem I I have the 89 dash in mine still.

The 96 dash went into my 88 very easily with only a few modifications. It wasn't fastened as well as the original dash on either truck and I was planning on adding a few more points.

Are you considering swapping the dash or are you going to modify the 89 to work with the wires?

I really wanted to keep the original dash but I also wanted the side defrost vents that the 96 had...the 92 dash I was going to use turned out to have only dummy vents for the side windows...

 

[Mikel89us]

I am just modifying what I have. I'm probably going to build a box to put the ecu in. And do some minor re pinning of the firewall plugs to hook the new ecu into the 89 plug.