Removing truck bed vs dropping fuel tank?

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Nov 29, 2009
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A buddy of mine claims i'm never going to be able to get those bed mount bolts back in once I take them out, not sure how he comes up with that conclusion. How much does a fuel size truck bed weigh? I want to just pick it up with my tractor and change out the fuel pump and install some extra fuel filters. Seems easier to do it all from above that way I can make sure everything gets connected back together without laying on my back squeezing my arm up betwen the frame and tank. Also, the thing I like most about removing the bed is you aren't messing with the tank. It stays strapped up and doesn't change shape in anyway.
 
If you have access to a tractor and you don't think your bed bolts are rusted in, it's a no brainer to remove the bed instead of dropping the tank. We didn't use the tractor when we changed the fuel pump twice in about a year and a half on our 97 GMC long bed farm truck. We had several people available, so we just unbolted the bolts and unhooked the fuel filler neck and wiring harness and slid the bed back and had the rear of it on a barrel.
 
A buddy of mine claims i'm never going to be able to get those bed mount bolts back in once I take them out, not sure how he comes up with that conclusion. How much does a fuel size truck bed weigh? I want to just pick it up with my tractor and change out the fuel pump and install some extra fuel filters. Seems easier to do it all from above that way I can make sure everything gets connected back together without laying on my back squeezing my arm up betwen the frame and tank. Also, the thing I like most about removing the bed is you aren't messing with the tank. It stays strapped up and doesn't change shape in anyway.
You tube it.
Much easier to tilt the bed than dropping the tank.
 
You tube it.
Much easier to tilt the bed than dropping the tank.
why not just take it off? I get that tilting it probably aids in alignment, but then you have to worry about some 500 pound object crushing you and there is no telling how long my project will take.
 
Assuming you rig it to be level, you can lower it to an inch off the frame when you're reinstalling it and use a dowel, all thread, or whatever to align it.
 
Glad as heck I didn't remove the bed on my 92 chevy 1500. Sure, it's a lot of work to remove the tank from underneath, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I bought one of those cheap transmission jacks from harbor freight to lower it (and had Mrs. JDI to help steady the tank). Spruced it up with a little paint, then installed the new pump assembly.

Sportfueltank.webp
 
I removed a 8 foot bed decades ago from an old Ford pickup for other reasons, and it wasn't that hard. Didn't weigh as much as I thought, my dad and I were able to slide it back a few feet without much trouble. I like the remove the bed idea as well. You can make sure everything is installed and working before you put the bed back, vs you pretty much have to put everything back together the other way before you know if you got a dud.
 
Depending on the tank's location, you may just have to slide the bed to access the tank's top instead of removing the bed totally. Depends on availability of help.
 
why not just take it off? I get that tilting it probably aids in alignment, but then you have to worry about some 500 pound object crushing you and there is no telling how long my project will take.

A floor jack is more than adequate. If it’s too dangerous for you, hire a professional.
 
Ive hung the ranger bed at least twice from the garage rafters with tie down straps.

If you've got a tractor it should be a piece of cake.
 
A buddy of mine claims i'm never going to be able to get those bed mount bolts back in once I take them out, not sure how he comes up with that conclusion.
He assumes you're going to rack (twist) the bed? Obviously wire wheel the bolts (or get new) and retap the holes to ease reuse.
Are there body bumpers (rubber doughnuts) involved?
 
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I had an 89 C2500, that used to suffer from fuel pump failure often enough in 15 years to be a pain. Problem was without fail the pump normally failed when the 40 gallon tank was full. Dropped it once, it was bed removal after that.
 
I did it on an '07 Silverado to do the in-tank fuel pump; took out all of drivers side bolts, loosened passenger side and tilted the bed.
Double blocked it in place for safety with 4"x4" wood I had laying around. Relatively easy.
 
Took my tank down on my 07 Ram because I have 5th wheel bars in the bed and bed bolts and a liner. Too much trouble. I put truck on jack stands and used my motorcycle jack and a floor jack with a block of wood to support it. It all went back together fine. My tank was full of fuel so it was heavy. You can't siphon it because it has a ball at the filler that won't let your siphon hose past it.
 
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