Just changed the fuel filter. Seen something that didn't look farmiliar. From the beginning, took off the old one, yep, almost black. Laid it aside and went to napa. Came back, all fuel in the hole was drained, empty. Looked down at the bottom and there was a small moon shaped wire ring that had a small hose attached that went under the fuel filter area. What is that?
By the way, ran truck shortly after and 10 seconds down the road it choaked and died again. Any suggestions?

 

Look at this and see if this don't help some. Welcome to guzzle's PSD Fuel Filter Change Web Page

 

What you describe as "a small moon shaped wire ring" is probably the fuel heater element. There should be no hose. Did the fuel drain down into the valley or on the ground? You may have hit the fuel drain valve handle.

See these links for reference:

Dieselorings fuel heater.

Dieselorings fuel bowl drain valve.

 

How much fuel did you get out of the bowl when you drained it? (little yellow valve handle at the back of the bowl). Should be about 16 oz. Any less and you have a fuel flow problem, most likely in the tank. It's normal to see the bottom of the fuel bowl provided you drained the fuel before you changed the filter. If you pulled the cap off the bowl without draining first, then the fuel level should have been all the way full.

If you suspect a fuel flow issue in the tank, you can get a 5 gallon can of diesel and some diesel rated fuel hose. Secure the can in your truck bed and plumb the hose to the inlet side of the fuel filter. Go for a drive and see if the issue remains. If the truck runs fine, then you will need to drop your tank and clean the pickup screens. (Or perform the in-tank mods...)

 

Thats a excellent pic and great annotation by Greg. I would just like to add that
the upper test port plug is pre-filter and the lower test port plug is post-filter.

 

Sounds like the fuel system isn't totally primed. How long did you bump the fuel pump w/o cracking over?