1997 F350 front fuel tank inoperative
 

This is the newest automobile I own, so I'm not knowledgeable in this area.

Recently the front fuel tank will not supply the engine with fuel. The rear tank is operational. However, I prefer to use the front tank because it's safer than the rear. The fuel gauge while on front registers fuel. Just to make sure, I put in five gallons of fuel in the front tank. It still will not supply fuel.

How can I diagnose this problem, whether it's mechanical or electrical? The only thing I can think that is, are the fuel tanks fitted with an individual pump inside both tanks, or something else as one works, the other doesn't.

Is the truck a gas or diesel engine model?

Can you hear the front pump when you turn the key to ON without starting the truck?

It is a gasoline truck. It has the 5.8L.

Would it be loud enough? I'm nearly deaf, so that may be not possible to just hear it. I'd have to confirm with a multimeter.

Each tank has it's own high pressure fuel pump inside. There is a common power path from the fuse, fuel pump relay, through the inertia switch then onto the fuel tank selector switch on the dash.

For reference (very similar to your truck):
http://oldfuelinjection.com/files/bronco_1991_49-2.gifcourtesy of oldfuelinjection.com