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Not sure that I'd go through the floor to do this.
On the other hand, if the tank was near full (it's about 1/3) there would be close to 350# of fuel in the tank, plus the tank weight to deal with. In that case your solution looks a lot more manageable....
CalEx4x4, was considering doing the same...creating an access hole. I'm at 125K on original pump. Did you find the location/dimensions online somewhere, or willing to post/share? Thanks in advance, Dave
Just changed mine (still working) after 134,000 miles. Mostly out of paranoia. Didn't even have to drop the tank !
Removing original fuel pump 2003 Excursion. 134,000 mi
It took two of us about 3 hours to swap the pump yesterday. That included an extra trip to O'Reilly's for a filler hose as the original one tore as we lowered the tank.
I don't believe I've ever put more than 40 gallons in her during a fill up, so there's always 4 or more gallons in the tank. That's a 10% reserve, but also means that if the tank is 20" tall there's only 2" of fuel left in the tank. Even with splashing that may not be enough to keep the pump cool enough for long term health.
Rock 2610d is right- keep your fuel tanks full ! I always top up before I get to half tank. It would have been easier to unlatch my fuel pump from the bottom of the tank if I didn't keep it topped up!
So PearlWillys- I did measure about 21 inches forward from the underside of the lowest part of the body just below the barn doors. Then I drilled the hole that you see and stuck an inspection camera in the hole to verify my position over the fuel pump.
It's much easier just to look at the ribs in the photos to see where to cut.
I had to stop when I hit the brace at the top of the cut. I was hoping to go 8 inches square and only got 8' in width and 6" top to bottom. I could feel my jigsaw slow when it reached the thicker metal.
If I did it over again, I would cut 2 inches lower (towards the barn doors) to make up the difference and maybe go an inch wider on each side for more working room. There were no other reinforcements in the way. Drilled hole is right over the center of the fuel pump. Note how it lines up with ribs to the left and right where they "bridge" Note the cut lines in relation to the floor channels or ribs.
Glad not to be a "sheep" here, just like the brotherhood of the travelling zerk. Sealed for life does not mean there isn't a work around. Dropping the gas tank doesn't mean there isn't a work around. Next fuel pump will take 20 minutes with the hatch already in place.
Won't take hours to re-cut a hatch that is already in place.
CalEx did your fuel lines have safety clips on them? Mine did not, and I believe it was the original pump. Also are you going to post pictures of your completed hatch?
