ok, at 341,892 miles, one of my fuel pumps finally has had it! really down on power i just get home and shut the truck off and hear a gurggling sound from the gas tank, so im assuming one of the original pumps have gone bad! .. now my question is this, remove the bed.... or drop the gas tank? any ideas?

 

Taking the bed off is much easier than trying to remove the tank. If you have never had the bed off you may need to cut some of the bolts to get it off. But they can be replaced with grade 8 bolts from a good hardware store. Original bolts should be a #55 Torx bit. The two bolts close to the cab are longer than the other 4. Soak them good with your favorite rusty bolt spray. The bolts go into "J clip" speed nuts. If the anti-rotation tab on the speed nut breaks off and the speed nut spins when you try to take them off you'll need to cut the bolt. Next, remove the tail lights & unthread the tail light wire harness from the bed where it passes through a couple of areas on it. Some retainer clips hold it to the bed in a few spots. Take the three screws out of the fuel filler neck inside the fuel filler door so the fuel filler hose will drop down to clear the bed when you raise it up to take it off. Two people can lift the bed. Lift it straight up to clear the bumper and tires and set it on a couple of saw horses to the rear of the truck. If you have a third person helping, they can watch the fuel filler tube to make sure it clears the bed and that the wires are clear too. The top of the fuel tank should now be in plain sight and easy to get to. If you need a retainer ring for the pump, you should be able to get a new one from a dealer. I just got a new one for my 91 two years ago. Take your time and it should go pretty well even if you have to cut some bolts.

 

Nice detailed post, Rangerman Stan!!!!

 

Use a good product, such as LiquidWrench penetrating lubricant... I've had good luck with it.

NOT WD40 which isn't a very good penetrating lube.

From KZRider: Better than WD-40

 

well, ford discontinued the pumps, so now gonna try napa!

 

With NAPA (or anyone else), be sure you don't buy their cheapest product. It will fall apart in no time.

 

I dropped the tank on my 1999 ranger. Seems to be simpler than getting all Torx'ed up with big bolts and high grade.

 

well, spent 280 dollars for the both of them, i wouldnt call that cheap!

shop manual i have says, to drill holes on the cab floor, cause you cant see the top bolts for the tank! who thought that one up at ford???

 

i pulled the bed on mine, bolts were very rusted and tight, but they came out and id never consider dropping the tank unless it was damaged and had to be replaced.

 

got both pumps in and new filter! runs great! thanks for the help! taking the bed off went smooth, only issue is when i got gas today, and filled it up, the new sending unit only went to 3/4 full! oh well, im not takin the bed back off just for that! lol!