Just wanted to add my .02 - I had searched the forums for help with my 2.8 starter problem & found this thread.

It started with a distinct grinding sound when I'd use the starter. It would come and go, sometimes real bad, sometimes it would start with no fuss. But it got progressively worse. I had visions of the flywheel gear being ground smooth, and lots of metal filings trailing behind my truck (especially since I just put a new clutch in it 6 mo. back could have screwed up the work).

I took a chance that it was just the starter - and thankfully it was. The internal gears were grinding - so $44 later it was fixed. All I needed to swap it was a socket set (14mm & 15mm I think, and a 3" & 8" extension), a couple of pairs of pliers (to bend the heavy + lead from the battery a bit for easy re-installation), and some open end wrenches. Removed the bash plate (duh) and the crossmember to make it easy. The starter did not come with shim - but one shim was already on my starter..so I just put it back on with the new one. FYI to those who have never done this (this was my first starter) -the shims are made so that you can have the new starter on, held by the inboard bolt, put the new shim on, and the 2nd bolt. In other words- you don't have to take the whole mess off again to add a shim. It's a 5 minute process.

I was able to install/remove the wires AFTER removing the starter - they were just long enough to get on and of with the starter hanging. It was not much fun, but was probably easier than trying to get a wrench up by the starter.

Watch the plug-in lead under the oil filter - I knocked it out accidentally during the process.

I was "on the road" when it broke - found a vacant parking lot, put one wheel up on a curb and swapped it out - about 2 hours (would have been easier at home!). The trickiest part was getting the wires on and off & the assembled unit back up in place. Took a bit of...finesse and extreme violence. But easy enough to do at home if you have basic tools and a couple of hours.