Gas is 6 pounds per gallon so a 30 gallon tank could weigh 180 pounds plus the tank weight. I agree tho it's easier to drop the tank or even lift the bed on smaller beds
I have a video about putting a trap door in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I have done many like this that belonged to me. I would not do this for a customer back in the day. On my own, I have no problem with cutting a hole, putting a plate over the hole and covering it wtih a bed liner or piece of conveyor belt or heavy rubber mat in the bed and be done with the problem. I cut the hole and had the pump changed in about an hour. You cannot drop a tank that fast. After the hole is there, removing the bedliner in a pickup and lifting the plate takes more time. My van has a trap door under the rug behind the driver for the pump. Changed it in 45 min and that included moving the cargo and moving the seat. I do all my own maint so the hole works well for me considering that pumps these days are touch and go for quality... Even the good ones can be liars on the box about their origins. You pretty much have to know your parts for your vehicle and be choosy where you get them and be willing to say no and send them back. If you drop the tank and bust the fuel line, you are SCREWED on the side of the road. Something I am not willing to deal with. Take care brother and be safe. And always keep several fire extinguishers with you. Shit gets real, Real Fast sometimes. Be certain.
I did the access hatch through the bed floor and never regretted it. When its -20 degrees in the dead of winter and a couple feet of snow on the ground, you may just change your tune if you're stuck on the side of the road but you have a new replacement pump with you behind the seat for backup.
My thoughts exactly. My van has a trap door behind the drivers seat under the rug and the truck has a plate over the hole in the bed with a bedliner on top. Served me well.
@@jenseefeldt9799 you definitely know what cold is!! I agree with you 100 %. I lived in minot North Dakota for three years. A person learns the ropes quickly!! lol
I cut a hole in my Silverado bed, never regretted it one bit. I put flat strips of metal around the edge with rivets and 8 screws holding the cut out piece in place. If I ever need to replace the fuel pump again, it will only take me about 15 minutes. So much easier! Just make sure you measure and cut the hole in the right place, which I did.
@@jsmythib it says the answer to your question is in the post. It says that he installed 4 flat pieces of metal in the bed with rivets , allowing the panel that was cut from the bed to be screwed into place .
I would have done it on my 07 caravan, BUT when I firstly carefully cut through the carpet, where I knew the pump was located, that had put the whole wiring harness right where it would have been... so I ended up siphoning my tank and putting the van up on blocks 12 inches high at least. I had demolished an old building and reused the concrete footings worked like a charm, but a lot of carefully jacking with floor jacks and 20 ton bottle jacks...
Sometimes in the rust belt, it’s so much easier on a beater truck to cut the bed and patch. Otherwise, the straps break, or the bolts break, or the bed is rusted in place. Most of the time the Bed liner is covering a rusted out floor anyway.
Yes but that's what cutting a big old hole into bad does it makes it a beater truck something you just want to throw away how you supposed to haul anything in it from there on not like you can just patch that big hole laying something over it all the time leak and then it'll be leaking right down on the gas tank if you're going to keep a vehicle for any amount of time do the service on it right don't half-ass stuff
It's always easier and faster to cut a hole in the floor, not to mention if it's an older vehicle you can create even more problems if you try to remove the tank. If you snap off or strip the bolts that hold the tank straps in you just gave yourself a long and painful repair job.
@@mikebaird6788 Even with basic fabrication skills, cutting a small (not big) access hole and then cutting a plate for same and installing it with good sealant would not be half-ass unless you don't know what you are doing.
@@mikebaird6788 - Put a metal plate over the hole and put in a bed liner... If you had any reading comprehension. That is exactly what the man said. That is what I do, and your argument holds no validity. Been there and done that. Worked out great. Paging Chicken Little! The Sky Is Falling!
I have a 01 Super crew here in Michigan and I am jealous of the underside of that truck , mine looks like a war zone and ain’t no way in hell you could do that easy of a removal here in the rust belt. You would snap every bolt off. It’s a old truck I wouldn’t think twice about cutting a hole in the bed.
Every car should have a access panel for the fuel pump from the factory. I used a step drill bit in the corners and cut mine with tin snips. I wasn't brave enough to use angle grinder.
I used a Dremel tool and the little, reddish/brown cut-off wheels to cut through the floor on my Suburban. I went through almost a full pack of cut-off disks. BUT the good thing is, they are too shallow to cut through the wrong things.
I cut the holes carefully in 2 pickups and a full size Bronco by just going under and carefully measuring where to cut using a jig saw with a fine tooth metal cutting blade. I used a very thin 4" grinder disc to get a 1/2" starter cut, then switched to jig saw. Had a fan blowing underneath to dissipate any gas fumes. I used cross bed supports where possible to support the "hatches" on re-installation. The hatches are well supported and they came out great. I did weld on a few little tabs for support where there were no cross supports under the beds. I cleaned up the sharp edges, and installed new pumps while open, screwed the hatches down, then caulked the cut lines, touched up with paint to match close to original bed color. The hatches are held down with sheet metal screws. Now if I need to replace a fuel pump, I just have to cut the caulked seams with a box cutter, take out the screws, and pull the hatches off. So much easier than dropping a tank that will weigh 150 lbs with all the gas in it. Going forward, any fuel pump replacement will be easy with a simple tool kit I always carry. On any trip out of town (or out in the boonies in the Bronco), I will bring along a spare pump and won't be stuck paying big bills for towing and shop, or stranded while out in the countryside.
@@rossbrown9768 Yup it gives you a good feeling knowing you can solve a bad pump without having to mess with the tank. Which will probably have a lot of gas in it when it happens. It puzzles me how people get so bothered by this and claim it ruins the vehicle's value. Baloney. It should come equipped with them from the factory like lots of cars do. I did mine with care and they function and look just fine. Another reason to have these panels is for when the level sender fails. Now you have to drop the tank again for that....unless you have a nice little access panel.
If you don't have any substantial rust to deal with and the hoses are reasonably pliable, then dropping the tank isn't a big deal, but if you round out or break off a bolt, or break a hose you will probably wish you'd just cut the hole.
I did that same pump assembly rebuild pump kit from advance Auto over a year ago still working good too and I think I paid around 60.00 with discounts and speed perks
Or you live in the rust belt and dropping the tank means completely replacing it the filler kneck lines harness straps and making a new mount for the bolts... Don't even think about taking the bed off you'll just be replacing it too. Best to install inspection port and save you the money time and hassle
Easy to tell you've never worked on a rusty vehicle. Where I live, if a vehicle is over 10 years old, there is no way you will get any bolts out without breaking them. That includes on the fuel tank or the bed.
Just take the hole bed off. Saves weight. Added bonus of being able to see your fuel tank 24/7. But in honest, I love your channel. 3 years ago I was asking a friend if there was such a job called a Roadside Mechanic. When I went home your channel was suddenly in my feed. So glad you are still doing this and growing. I must of been one of the first thousand of your subscribers. Love ya brother.
I cut a panel in my 92 Explorer a year ago. It worked, took my time, and cut it carefully. Connectors were rusty, one broke off the old fuel pump. Had to pull out the metal spiders inside the connectors and order replacement.
Yeah my buddy had an 87 Dodge Dakota 4cyl, I drilled a small hole so I can observe where I need to cut first. Patched with small screws after we were done. He lived in an area where you couldn't do any work on cars. Been 8 years, no issues.
I have been through this situation ... 1997 C203/4 of a tank of fuel and the fuel pump goes out I check the pressure in the rail and confirm I have a work bed on that truck I decided to cut a hole because the tank was longer than meI ordered a new fuel pump installed it through the holeDrove it for 1/2 an hour and the fuel pump Made in the USA was no good... Well I was happy to have that hole in the bed with the flanges added so that I could simply put in another fuel pump. I'll never pull a fuel tank again if I can cut a hole .you do you, I'll do me...
My friend father did this to his Chevy w/t the first time we did it like you were how the book said to. But after 3 shoddy aftermarket fuel pumps he cut the bed and still had to change it like 3 more time until someone recommended he uses oem
Yep... Parts store pumps are shit. Buy Delfi Bosch or VDO pumps or in Japanese Nippon or Denso pumps. Problems all go away. STAY AWAY FROM chinese SHIT!
You can't with some models since it's through the reinforcing of the box which connects to the frame. Like my truck, your box will literally fold if you cut through the structural
@@jasonabbey1 - No one is going to cut the frame and those vehicles are few and far between. Even the unibodies do not have structural beams above the pump because the engineers are afraid of smacking the pump. Ye old trap door is a great idea solving many BS problems, especially when it is cold rainy snow or stuck on the side of the road and I can change a bullshit chinese pump in 25 min with the trap door. This is more about banishing BS and work. Work smarter not harder. For those who want to punish themselves so they feel better inside... More power to you :)
@KlodFather well I have an extended cab and the front tank is right under the the front of the box and back of the cab. Since I have the truck here and did install the pump by dropping the tank I know your wrong.
@@jasonabbey1 - The frame on yours might be in the way but it is the exception and not the rule. If your sending unit is there, then its a problem... But then again its poor choices that make people buy POS vehicles that cannot be serviced. Some cars and trucks are not worth owning even if the mfgr has a good reputation for quality because they are a mickymouse POS to work on. Honda vans trucks suv is a good example. You can find all the errors you speak of in the mirror when combing over the bald spot LOL
I'm envious how easy that tank came out. In my '97 Ford Ranger, it was a huge PITA to get the tank out. Even with everything disconnected, it still took a large pry bar, lots of grunting and swearing and liberal use of a large rubber mallet to force the tank out. I'll remove the bed next time I think.
Much easier! I had to that because of time money and my back! I went to Home Depot and installed a sheet metal closure with insulatation around the opening. It's no different than what other manufactures do underneath a rear 💺 Seat! Only smart techs will think of tricks to get the job done quickly! I By the way I installed a Life Time Warranty Pump assembly from Autozone and the whole process took less than 30 minutes rather two ✌️ Hours to drop the Tank!
“I don’t know why you wouldn’t just drop the tank” not that I would ever cut a while in the bed of my own truck or a customer unless explicitly instructed, but I also think it’s funny to hear “mechanics” who live in places like Arizona say things like this, it would genuinely be hilarious to watch you work on cars here in Maine. if you’ve never replaced a pump cause the lines are rotted out, dropped the tank just to find that the metal retainer and the locking tabs are gone too you shouldn’t talk
I live in Arizona, and have dropped the tank in 120+ degree heat on my brother's '88 F150, in the dirt, to put in ANOTHER free replacement Airtex pump (of course they don't reimburse you for your labor); we must have done that 5 or 6 times before we heard about cutting the bed; since then I've done it on several vehicles, no problem; I use Simpson straps to make a flange for the cutout to sit back on, screw it together with short sheet metal screws, caulk it, paint it, all good; like the guy in the video said, he didn't realize the tank was going to be so heavy! and the best part is trying to get the very stiff filler hose back onto the tank, in cramped spaces, with no extra length to help and dirt falling in your face the whole time, you really should try it a few times in extreme weather, you will learn to appreciate better ways!
Great job. I did a pump on our 99 Caravan is past spring. We were given this van because the mechanic that worked on our friend's van said it needed a new transmission which it did not. A year later the engine kept shutting off and only wanted to idle because the pump was going bad. I was able to lower the tank down on the passenger side and leave the fill hose connected. With the tank angled down towards the passenger side I was able to get the pump out. The pump was original and had lasted over twenty years and one hundred and sixty thousand miles. I say this because that pump died again this spring. So the Delphi pump (which I bought because Delphi is an American company) So this time I bought a Carter fuel pump and guess what? It's made in China two. Happy Motoring.
Almost every time I've changed a fuel pump, the tank was full. People always put gas in when the fuel pump starts going bad, they think that's the problem.
I used a drill and an air chisel also. Here is a tip. Use a 1/4 inch drill bit and put it in 3/8 pipe so the bit only sicks out about 1/4 inch.. Fill the pipe with epoxy. Now you can lay out where you want to drill holes without running into the tank. It is a lot faster and safer.
Ive done it to my 96 gmc safari kuzz those pumps are so faulty, thank god i did, ive changed that pump about 5 times in the 22 years ive owned it. Did it to my 07 expedition as well. You just gotta get your measurements on point. I even used my cutwheel and sawzall. As long as your conscious about what your doing and you have the know how its a breeze! O yeah, and ive never regretted it!😅😅
Last fuel pump i done for something other than my job was my friends NBS silverado 99 or 2000 model dont remember. Just unbolt the filler neck, light harness and bed bolts. Stick truck in neutral and lift the back of the bed while pulling back. Bed rolls right up the tires and set it down on the bumper. Had the truck running in 30 minutes
You're slow. I started a stopwatch, then went to work unbolting the bed (8 bolts), unplugged tail lights, detached fuel filler tube, used my engine hoist to lift the bed off my Silverado, pulled truck out from under, placed the bed down on sawhorses. Then pulled the old fuel pump (which was old but still working), cut a nice access panel in the bed for the future with jig saw, drilled and tapped screw holes to re-mount the panel on bed crossmember flanges, raised the bed back up with the hoist, backed the truck under the hoisted bed, bolted it back down, reattached filler tube, tail lights plugged back in, all in 10 minutes and 27 seconds from start to finish.
@@bw1841 Bahahaha! Of course, I'm lying about 10 min. Just being sarcastic. It just kills me when people claim how fast they do some involved job faster than they did.
A friend of mine used Ford trucks for his business. They all had fuel pump problems. So rather than having his crew miss a day or half days work he installed a door in the bed to access the fuel pump. Pump goes bad the driver gets a new one from the closest parts house and replaced it. Minimal down time no tow charge no waiting around. Yes these trucks had multiple pump failures.
I did it with a Taurus. A bit scary with all those sparks flying and not being 100% certain I wasn't cutting into the tank. I had physical issues that made it better for me but would not recommend it for the healthy.
2001 Yukon. Cut hole in floor... sooo much easier. Rivet on strips to hold loose panel. Sheet metal screws to secure panel to strips. Seal it all with silicone... done!
If you live in the north east, the tank coming down could mean a few other parts will need to be replaced do to rusting straps, the holders rust, and the crossmember itself might be destroyed during removal due to corrosion. Granted you need to replace these items, but not many of us can afford a DIY pump replacement for 1,000 dollars as you replace straps, holders and bolts.
The filter on my fuel pump was just as white as a new one because of the Ajax cleanser powder that the store used on their dip stick. I quit buying gas there because of that, but I found out that a lot of people do that to see the level of gas in their tanks.
This video was titled “Don’t ever cut through the bed, here’s why”! However, You never told us why. Every car/truck I get, the first thing I do is cut an access panel to expose the fuel pump. I do a nice job of it, and it adds value to the vehicle in my opinion. I do the same thing to the access panels in my home. If I’m gonna have valves behind the wall, I make sure there’s an access panel to it. Why every manufacture doesn’t automatically have these panels installed I don’t know.
Great video and thanks for the helpful info. But I think I will go ahead and cut the hole before I need to replace a bad one. Kinda a preemptive strike. lol thanks again.
On my Ranger, it's six bolts holding on the bed. If I remove those, disconnect the filler from the bed and disconnect the tail light wiring harness, I can lift the bed back a couple of feet and get unfettered access to the fuel pump without removing the tank. Takes less than 10 minutes to get this done and the bed is light enough that I can move it with one helper. Not sure if the operation is similar with an F150.
I have done this on a number of cars and trucks. I specialize in making unbelievably strong trap doors so you can get into the fuel pump. European cars are starting to do this now which should’ve been done from the get-go. There’s no reason to not cut a hole you just have to strengthen it and make sure nothing is ever going to go through that. I’ve done it over and over never has one failed in fact I make it so strong that you could drop a pile of bricks on their over and over it would never go through
How much did you charge for this job? I just ask because I want to know how much I saved by doing this myself. And just for giggles I am totally blind. Did it on my wife’s 2002 F150 exactly how you did it
Yeah why did he say that? Here's why you shouldn't do it? I mean I didn't watch a whole video but if you're careful with a grinder measuring you know where it is. I booked that truck from a guy who was in a pool business and the bolts the straps. Everything was freaking rusted anyway it was the best thing just to carefully cut a hole with little flap and repaired it and then put a bed. I put the bed liner back on. It looks like it's fine
Regular grade gas weighs 6.035 lbs. per gallon. Many newer truck today have 30 - 35 gallon or more tanks. Factor in the weight of the tank, you can easily be talking well over 200 lbs depending on how much fuel is in the tank. The real question is why don't the manufacturers design in an access cover in a truck bed and even in cars to ease the process of changing out a fuel pump. Have you ever been out in the middle of nowhere and your fuel pump quit? Also, look at a lot of the Toyotas and Honda's that they have designed these access covers in for ease of service.
The manufacturers who failed to put a fuel pump access panel in the bed of a PU have turned an $80 fuel pump replacement into an $800+ fuel pump replacement (drain, drop tank, replace pump, install and refill the tank). My daughter's car needed a fuel pump. Ford said about $500 (drain drop, replace, reinstall, refill). I did some investigating and found that the fuel pump access for her car was simply to remove the rear seat (simple procedure) and there's the fuel pump. Ford didn't get the job.
I can only speak for myself here in California. I just take the bed bolts out lift the bed up. Rest bed on cut 2 x 4 shovel. Whatever you got that’s about 6 foot long to hold the bed up. Change the pump drop the bed back down done I know in the rust belt it’s a lot harder easier to replace a couple tank straps and drop the tank some people in the rust belt just cut a hole in the bed and patch it, but yeah, I’m all about either dropping the fuel tank or lifting the bed
There was no legitimate reason in this video why not to create a access panel in a truck bed. Maybe this truck bed wasn’t the best design to do so, but if done right on plenty other models it makes the job so much easier, especially the next time you have to change the pump and don’t have to create the access panel at the same time. I recommend only creating a access panel if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time and are willing to do it right by cutting the proper size hole and fabricating a nice cover that will seal up nicely. If it’s a beater then you can just do a hack job like no other!🤷🏽♂️😂
Wow , I can't believe how clean and free of rust this truck is , up here in Ontario Canada doing any kind of job like this you need a full face shield, rust in the eye balls sucks
you always want to cut an access hole, any normal person cant afford to drop the entire gas tank each time something goes wrong, after spending $360 on having to drop my gas tank 3 times i ended up cutting an access hatch for $80 and i wish i had done it sooner. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS DUDE it will be the best decision you have ever made i promise. it is so easy to change out a fuel pump or the sending unit! the main issue most people have is not being able to unmount and completely drop the gas tank just to see what's wrong. save yourself time and money by simply cutting an access hatch above the fuel harness and you'll never need to drop your tank again!
Never pull the tank, it's faster and easier to pull the bed off. Or take all bolts out of one side then loosen other bolts in bed and jack bed up sideways. So much easier faster and cleaner
It depends on which vehicle you are working on and how rusty it is. 400 series Chev/GMC, I'm cutting a pane because they go out often. I am doing a 2006 Ford F 150 now and not easy to cut a panel because it is a crew cab, it would require a panel under the seat. Ford should have provided one, but they have really poor engineering (their plastic gas lines for instance}. The ford dealer changed the pump 3 years ago and charged this guy $2,500 (they are a B to work on). The pump was running constantly and had between 1 and 2 PSI. It looks like a cheap Chinese pump the stealership installed, I found the internal pump fuel pressure line is broken in half. Wouldn't a Ford pump have a part number or markings on it? Lots of cars come with an access panel, check and see if you have a panel before you begin pulling the tank. I have found panels on Lexus, Buicks, Jeeps and I'm sure many others have them also.
Personally, I would never cut a hole in the bed of my truck. That said…living in the rust belt, I totally understand why some choose to. Those older vehicles out west L👀K like virgins under the carriage. Out here, a heat induction tool such as the BoltBuster is absolutely mandatory, but still no guaranties. You end up opening a can of worms! That specific hardware that will need to be sourced, once in a bind, is not easily accessible. Leaving you face down arse up on the side of the road. 👍Job well done!
I cut a hole, made a cover, in the floor my 2014 Expedition. I can change a fuel pump in about 15 minutes even at the side of the road if needed. Being stuck on the highway is no fun. I know I would get points taken off my Expedition at a car show for doing this. But I am not going to enter my SUV in a car show. Not now or ever.😑
I got a vent and full flow nozzle on my gas can and that is what I call a jerk off pump LoL 😆😆😆😆 and yes I cut a access hole in my 98 Ford e250 right at the hump on drivers side inside the van 6 8 mm bolts hold the pump assembly in place tank is easy to drop but not fully fueled and I keep my tank full all the time
Where are you located ? I need someone to install a fuel pump in my 04 Suburban and if I can’t find someone then I’m definitely going to be cutting a hole in the floor of it because it’s full of gas and I don’t have any help.
Get a Vevor Concrete saw here: amzn.to/4345uNV
Gas is 6 pounds per gallon so a 30 gallon tank could weigh 180 pounds plus the tank weight. I agree tho it's easier to drop the tank or even lift the bed on smaller beds
Great Job how much you charge ✌️
I have a video about putting a trap door in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I have done many like this that belonged to me. I would not do this for a customer back in the day. On my own, I have no problem with cutting a hole, putting a plate over the hole and covering it wtih a bed liner or piece of conveyor belt or heavy rubber mat in the bed and be done with the problem. I cut the hole and had the pump changed in about an hour. You cannot drop a tank that fast. After the hole is there, removing the bedliner in a pickup and lifting the plate takes more time. My van has a trap door under the rug behind the driver for the pump. Changed it in 45 min and that included moving the cargo and moving the seat. I do all my own maint so the hole works well for me considering that pumps these days are touch and go for quality... Even the good ones can be liars on the box about their origins. You pretty much have to know your parts for your vehicle and be choosy where you get them and be willing to say no and send them back. If you drop the tank and bust the fuel line, you are SCREWED on the side of the road. Something I am not willing to deal with. Take care brother and be safe. And always keep several fire extinguishers with you. Shit gets real, Real Fast sometimes. Be certain.
I did the access hatch through the bed floor and never regretted it. When its -20 degrees in the dead of winter and a couple feet of snow on the ground, you may just change your tune if you're stuck on the side of the road but you have a new replacement pump with you behind the seat for backup.
My thoughts exactly. My van has a trap door behind the drivers seat under the rug and the truck has a plate over the hole in the bed with a bedliner on top. Served me well.
@@jenseefeldt9799 you definitely know what cold is!! I agree with you 100 %. I lived in minot North Dakota for three years. A person learns the ropes quickly!! lol
I cut a hole in my Silverado bed, never regretted it one bit. I put flat strips of metal around the edge with rivets and 8 screws holding the cut out piece in place. If I ever need to replace the fuel pump again, it will only take me about 15 minutes. So much easier! Just make sure you measure and cut the hole in the right place, which I did.
You made an aftermarket access panel. 4 sections of angle iron, welded and sealed(thinking). What did you cover the hole with?
@@jsmythib it says the answer to your question is in the post. It says that he installed 4 flat pieces of metal in the bed with rivets , allowing the panel that was cut from the bed to be screwed into place .
Why not cut through the bed! They make vehicles that has excess to the fuel pump. Just make sure you do it right
Agreed. Jeeps sold abroad have those panels... Just not here. So do many other cars. And Trucks. Just not in USA
I would have done it on my 07 caravan, BUT when I firstly carefully cut through the carpet, where I knew the pump was located, that had put the whole wiring harness right where it would have been... so I ended up siphoning my tank and putting the van up on blocks 12 inches high at least. I had demolished an old building and reused the concrete footings worked like a charm, but a lot of carefully jacking with floor jacks and 20 ton bottle jacks...
Sometimes in the rust belt, it’s so much easier on a beater truck to cut the bed and patch. Otherwise, the straps break, or the bolts break, or the bed is rusted in place. Most of the time the Bed liner is covering a rusted out floor anyway.
Yes but that's what cutting a big old hole into bad does it makes it a beater truck something you just want to throw away how you supposed to haul anything in it from there on not like you can just patch that big hole laying something over it all the time leak and then it'll be leaking right down on the gas tank if you're going to keep a vehicle for any amount of time do the service on it right don't half-ass stuff
Cut it to the size of a boat hatch 😂
It's always easier and faster to cut a hole in the floor, not to mention if it's an older vehicle you can create even more problems if you try to remove the tank. If you snap off or strip the bolts that hold the tank straps in you just gave yourself a long and painful repair job.
@@mikebaird6788 Even with basic fabrication skills, cutting a small (not big) access hole and then cutting a plate for same and installing it with good sealant would not be half-ass unless you don't know what you are doing.
@@mikebaird6788 - Put a metal plate over the hole and put in a bed liner... If you had any reading comprehension. That is exactly what the man said. That is what I do, and your argument holds no validity. Been there and done that. Worked out great. Paging Chicken Little! The Sky Is Falling!
I have a 01 Super crew here in Michigan and I am jealous of the underside of that truck , mine looks like a war zone and ain’t no way in hell you could do that easy of a removal here in the rust belt. You would snap every bolt off. It’s a old truck I wouldn’t think twice about cutting a hole in the bed.
Every car should have a access panel for the fuel pump from the factory. I used a step drill bit in the corners and cut mine with tin snips. I wasn't brave enough to use angle grinder.
Every car should but they don't 😢
I used a Dremel tool and the little, reddish/brown cut-off wheels to cut through the floor on my Suburban. I went through almost a full pack of cut-off disks. BUT the good thing is, they are too shallow to cut through the wrong things.
Hyundai has access panel, fold seats forward pull up carpet and there it is
Cutting a hole is so much easier. And you can put hinges and a latch and make a access panel.
Exactly what I did on my S10.
I cut the holes carefully in 2 pickups and a full size Bronco by just going under and carefully measuring where to cut using a jig saw with a fine tooth metal cutting blade. I used a very thin 4" grinder disc to get a 1/2" starter cut, then switched to jig saw. Had a fan blowing underneath to dissipate any gas fumes. I used cross bed supports where possible to support the "hatches" on re-installation. The hatches are well supported and they came out great. I did weld on a few little tabs for support where there were no cross supports under the beds. I cleaned up the sharp edges, and installed new pumps while open, screwed the hatches down, then caulked the cut lines, touched up with paint to match close to original bed color. The hatches are held down with sheet metal screws. Now if I need to replace a fuel pump, I just have to cut the caulked seams with a box cutter, take out the screws, and pull the hatches off. So much easier than dropping a tank that will weigh 150 lbs with all the gas in it. Going forward, any fuel pump replacement will be easy with a simple tool kit I always carry. On any trip out of town (or out in the boonies in the Bronco), I will bring along a spare pump and won't be stuck paying big bills for towing and shop, or stranded while out in the countryside.
@jeffro221 I did the exact same thing to 3 of my pickups and a suburban. Waaaay easier than dropping the tanks.
@@rossbrown9768 Yup it gives you a good feeling knowing you can solve a bad pump without having to mess with the tank. Which will probably have a lot of gas in it when it happens. It puzzles me how people get so bothered by this and claim it ruins the vehicle's value. Baloney. It should come equipped with them from the factory like lots of cars do. I did mine with care and they function and look just fine. Another reason to have these panels is for when the level sender fails. Now you have to drop the tank again for that....unless you have a nice little access panel.
If you don't have any substantial rust to deal with and the hoses are reasonably pliable, then dropping the tank isn't a big deal, but if you round out or break off a bolt, or break a hose you will probably wish you'd just cut the hole.
I did that same pump assembly rebuild pump kit from advance Auto over a year ago still working good too and I think I paid around 60.00 with discounts and speed perks
Or you live in the rust belt and dropping the tank means completely replacing it the filler kneck lines harness straps and making a new mount for the bolts... Don't even think about taking the bed off you'll just be replacing it too. Best to install inspection port and save you the money time and hassle
Easy to tell you've never worked on a rusty vehicle. Where I live, if a vehicle is over 10 years old, there is no way you will get any bolts out without breaking them. That includes on the fuel tank or the bed.
Just take the hole bed off. Saves weight. Added bonus of being able to see your fuel tank 24/7.
But in honest, I love your channel. 3 years ago I was asking a friend if there was such a job called a Roadside Mechanic. When I went home your channel was suddenly in my feed. So glad you are still doing this and growing. I must of been one of the first thousand of your subscribers. Love ya brother.
Your phone has ears.
I cut a panel in my 92 Explorer a year ago.
It worked, took my time, and cut it carefully.
Connectors were rusty, one broke off the old fuel pump. Had to pull out the metal spiders inside the connectors and order replacement.
Yeah my buddy had an 87 Dodge Dakota 4cyl, I drilled a small hole so I can observe where I need to cut first. Patched with small screws after we were done. He lived in an area where you couldn't do any work on cars. Been 8 years, no issues.
I have been through this situation ... 1997 C203/4 of a tank of fuel and the fuel pump goes out I check the pressure in the rail and confirm I have a work bed on that truck I decided to cut a hole because the tank was longer than meI ordered a new fuel pump installed it through the holeDrove it for 1/2 an hour and the fuel pump Made in the USA was no good... Well I was happy to have that hole in the bed with the flanges added so that I could simply put in another fuel pump. I'll never pull a fuel tank again if I can cut a hole .you do you, I'll do me...
My friend father did this to his Chevy w/t the first time we did it like you were how the book said to. But after 3 shoddy aftermarket fuel pumps he cut the bed and still had to change it like 3 more time until someone recommended he uses oem
Yep... Parts store pumps are shit. Buy Delfi Bosch or VDO pumps or in Japanese Nippon or Denso pumps. Problems all go away. STAY AWAY FROM chinese SHIT!
When I did the pump on my Tacoma I lifted the bed - just tilted it - didn't even take it off. 6 bed bolts and it's loose. No helper needed.
Did the same on my S10. Back when I had Volvo 240’s they all had hatches with two screws that you’d remove to gain access to the fuel pump ass’y.
Cutting a hole is perfectly fine, it makes little to no difference.
You can't with some models since it's through the reinforcing of the box which connects to the frame. Like my truck, your box will literally fold if you cut through the structural
@@jasonabbey1 wats ur point
@@jasonabbey1 - No one is going to cut the frame and those vehicles are few and far between. Even the unibodies do not have structural beams above the pump because the engineers are afraid of smacking the pump. Ye old trap door is a great idea solving many BS problems, especially when it is cold rainy snow or stuck on the side of the road and I can change a bullshit chinese pump in 25 min with the trap door. This is more about banishing BS and work. Work smarter not harder. For those who want to punish themselves so they feel better inside... More power to you :)
@KlodFather well I have an extended cab and the front tank is right under the the front of the box and back of the cab. Since I have the truck here and did install the pump by dropping the tank I know your wrong.
@@jasonabbey1 - The frame on yours might be in the way but it is the exception and not the rule. If your sending unit is there, then its a problem... But then again its poor choices that make people buy POS vehicles that cannot be serviced. Some cars and trucks are not worth owning even if the mfgr has a good reputation for quality because they are a mickymouse POS to work on. Honda vans trucks suv is a good example. You can find all the errors you speak of in the mirror when combing over the bald spot LOL
I'm envious how easy that tank came out. In my '97 Ford Ranger, it was a huge PITA to get the tank out. Even with everything disconnected, it still took a large pry bar, lots of grunting and swearing and liberal use of a large rubber mallet to force the tank out. I'll remove the bed next time I think.
Much easier! I had to that because of time money and my back! I went to Home Depot and installed a sheet metal closure with insulatation around the opening. It's no different than what other manufactures do underneath a rear 💺 Seat!
Only smart techs will think of tricks to get the job done quickly! I By the way I installed a Life Time Warranty Pump assembly from Autozone and the whole process took less than 30 minutes rather two ✌️ Hours to drop the Tank!
AutoZone sells Delphi OEM pumps and Advance sells chinese 💩💩
“I don’t know why you wouldn’t just drop the tank”
not that I would ever cut a while in the bed of my own truck or a customer unless explicitly instructed, but I also think it’s funny to hear “mechanics” who live in places like Arizona say things like this, it would genuinely be hilarious to watch you work on cars here in Maine.
if you’ve never replaced a pump cause the lines are rotted out, dropped the tank just to find that the metal retainer and the locking tabs are gone too you shouldn’t talk
I live in Arizona, and have dropped the tank in 120+ degree heat on my brother's '88 F150, in the dirt, to put in ANOTHER free replacement Airtex pump (of course they don't reimburse you for your labor); we must have done that 5 or 6 times before we heard about cutting the bed; since then I've done it on several vehicles, no problem; I use Simpson straps to make a flange for the cutout to sit back on, screw it together with short sheet metal screws, caulk it, paint it, all good; like the guy in the video said, he didn't realize the tank was going to be so heavy! and the best part is trying to get the very stiff filler hose back onto the tank, in cramped spaces, with no extra length to help and dirt falling in your face the whole time, you really should try it a few times in extreme weather, you will learn to appreciate better ways!
@@bryanhood9839 Amen.
@@bryanhood9839 - Trap Door is the way to go. Best solution every time
The sound of kids playing outside is refreshing!
Hmmmm 🤔
Great job. I did a pump on our 99 Caravan is past spring. We were given this van because the mechanic that worked on our friend's van said it needed a new transmission which it did not. A year later the engine kept shutting off and only wanted to idle because the pump was going bad. I was able to lower the tank down on the passenger side and leave the fill hose connected. With the tank angled down towards the passenger side I was able to get the pump out. The pump was original and had lasted over twenty years and one hundred and sixty thousand miles. I say this because that pump died again this spring. So the Delphi pump (which I bought because Delphi is an American company) So this time I bought a Carter fuel pump and guess what? It's made in China two. Happy Motoring.
The trick you did with the hose when you were emptying the gas tank was pretty cool
I noticed that also, what did he do?
@@dennishickey1105 special kind of drain hose fitting giggle and it self pumps
Almost every time I've changed a fuel pump, the tank was full. People always put gas in when the fuel pump starts going bad, they think that's the problem.
Man, I'm jealous! I can only dream of a clean underside like that in Nebraska.😂
Safe way to cut the hole, I use an air chisel with a body shop panel cutting tool. Like a hot knife thru butter, on the truck bed.
I used a drill and an air chisel also. Here is a tip. Use a 1/4 inch drill bit and put it in 3/8 pipe so the bit only sicks out about 1/4 inch.. Fill the pipe with epoxy. Now you can lay out where you want to drill holes without running into the tank. It is a lot faster and safer.
Soon as I seen the way the pump assembly comes out of the tank I knew It was a Ford ! I really love Ford vehicles easy ASF to work on
A full 26 gallon tank would be roughly 210 pounds plus on an old truck the bolts are usually rusted all to hell
Ford should have put a access panel in the bed for those damn pumps!!!
Everyone else also
Ive done it to my 96 gmc safari kuzz those pumps are so faulty, thank god i did, ive changed that pump about 5 times in the 22 years ive owned it. Did it to my 07 expedition as well. You just gotta get your measurements on point. I even used my cutwheel and sawzall. As long as your conscious about what your doing and you have the know how its a breeze! O yeah, and ive never regretted it!😅😅
WHY do some cars have fuel pump access panel? And some DONT? 1000% easier when it’s there.
Last fuel pump i done for something other than my job was my friends NBS silverado 99 or 2000 model dont remember. Just unbolt the filler neck, light harness and bed bolts. Stick truck in neutral and lift the back of the bed while pulling back. Bed rolls right up the tires and set it down on the bumper. Had the truck running in 30 minutes
You're slow. I started a stopwatch, then went to work unbolting the bed (8 bolts), unplugged tail lights, detached fuel filler tube, used my engine hoist to lift the bed off my Silverado, pulled truck out from under, placed the bed down on sawhorses. Then pulled the old fuel pump (which was old but still working), cut a nice access panel in the bed for the future with jig saw, drilled and tapped screw holes to re-mount the panel on bed crossmember flanges, raised the bed back up with the hoist, backed the truck under the hoisted bed, bolted it back down, reattached filler tube, tail lights plugged back in, all in 10 minutes and 27 seconds from start to finish.
@@jeffro221 There is a comic based on you, called "The Flash!"
@@bw1841 Bahahaha! Of course, I'm lying about 10 min. Just being sarcastic. It just kills me when people claim how fast they do some involved job faster than they did.
@@jeffro221 NO WAY AND THEN YOU WOKE UP .
I find it's easier to move the bed back .
A friend of mine used Ford trucks for his business. They all had fuel pump problems. So rather than having his crew miss a day or half days work he installed a door in the bed to access the fuel pump. Pump goes bad the driver gets a new one from the closest parts house and replaced it. Minimal down time no tow charge no waiting around. Yes these trucks had multiple pump failures.
Been awhile since I've seen a pump that wasn't a lock-ring.
I prefer to tilt the bed or just move it back onto the tires.
I did it with a Taurus. A bit scary with all those sparks flying and not being 100% certain I wasn't cutting into the tank. I had physical issues that made it better for me but would not recommend it for the healthy.
2001 Yukon. Cut hole in floor... sooo much easier. Rivet on strips to hold loose panel. Sheet metal screws to secure panel to strips. Seal it all with silicone... done!
If you live in the north east, the tank coming down could mean a few other parts will need to be replaced do to rusting straps, the holders rust, and the crossmember itself might be destroyed during removal due to corrosion. Granted you need to replace these items, but not many of us can afford a DIY pump replacement for 1,000 dollars as you replace straps, holders and bolts.
I did this to my ford ranger just unbolt the bed and the filler neck and up the bed came exposing the tank, easy change.
The filter on my fuel pump was just as white as a new one because of the Ajax cleanser powder that the store used on their dip stick. I quit buying gas there because of that, but I found out that a lot of people do that to see the level of gas in their tanks.
This video was titled “Don’t ever cut through the bed, here’s why”! However, You never told us why.
Every car/truck I get, the first thing I do is cut an access panel to expose the fuel pump. I do a nice job of it, and it adds value to the vehicle in my opinion. I do the same thing to the access panels in my home. If I’m gonna have valves behind the wall, I make sure there’s an access panel to it. Why every manufacture doesn’t automatically have these panels installed I don’t know.
Great video and thanks for the helpful info. But I think I will go ahead and cut the hole before I need to replace a bad one. Kinda a preemptive strike. lol thanks again.
I TILT the beds. Rarely ever remove or drop tanks.
On my Ranger, it's six bolts holding on the bed. If I remove those, disconnect the filler from the bed and disconnect the tail light wiring harness, I can lift the bed back a couple of feet and get unfettered access to the fuel pump without removing the tank. Takes less than 10 minutes to get this done and the bed is light enough that I can move it with one helper. Not sure if the operation is similar with an F150.
Look how clean the underside of that truck is. I would drop my tank if underside looked that “new”
I learned a lesson a long time ago to always change the whole module when changing fuel pumps, It's just as cheap and last much longer
Not if it’s all OEM, but yes I do the same. I have been using Spectra Premium, they are pretty good for affordable tanks and pumps.
You make that look so easy. Maybe you wouldn't mind stopping over and helping. 1992 ford e350 RV
So random I cut concrete for a living never expected to see an add for a concrete saw on your channel
I have done this on a number of cars and trucks. I specialize in making unbelievably strong trap doors so you can get into the fuel pump. European cars are starting to do this now which should’ve been done from the get-go. There’s no reason to not cut a hole you just have to strengthen it and make sure nothing is ever going to go through that. I’ve done it over and over never has one failed in fact I make it so strong that you could drop a pile of bricks on their over and over it would never go through
I did it on a 92 f250 I had worked fine. Couldn't do it on my 05 ram regular cab, it was right where the cab meets the bed.
I cut a hole in my 93 Suburban to replace the pump. Never had another problem.
Double ear hose clamps are great
Old trucks like ford and Chevy! You should always cut a hole for access, nothing wrong with it. You need more experience.
Just don't use it around Sparks Sparks or any other element that may cause a fire or explosions around the gasoline tank think about it
Another awesome video.. I like the long hair man. I've been growing mine for 2yrs as well.
Strange. Someone came around when I wasn't looking and installed vents in my gas cans, too.
How much did you charge for this job? I just ask because I want to know how much I saved by doing this myself. And just for giggles I am totally blind. Did it on my wife’s 2002 F150 exactly how you did it
Working from above is easier than working underneath.
Yeah why did he say that? Here's why you shouldn't do it? I mean I didn't watch a whole video but if you're careful with a grinder measuring you know where it is. I booked that truck from a guy who was in a pool business and the bolts the straps. Everything was freaking rusted anyway it was the best thing just to carefully cut a hole with little flap and repaired it and then put a bed. I put the bed liner back on. It looks like it's fine
Regular grade gas weighs 6.035 lbs. per gallon. Many newer truck today have 30 - 35 gallon or more tanks. Factor in the weight of the tank, you can easily be talking well over 200 lbs depending on how much fuel is in the tank. The real question is why don't the manufacturers design in an access cover in a truck bed and even in cars to ease the process of changing out a fuel pump. Have you ever been out in the middle of nowhere and your fuel pump quit? Also, look at a lot of the Toyotas and Honda's that they have designed these access covers in for ease of service.
The manufacturers who failed to put a fuel pump access panel in the bed of a PU have turned an $80 fuel pump replacement into an $800+ fuel pump replacement (drain, drop tank, replace pump, install and refill the tank). My daughter's car needed a fuel pump. Ford said about $500 (drain drop, replace, reinstall, refill). I did some investigating and found that the fuel pump access for her car was simply to remove the rear seat (simple procedure) and there's the fuel pump. Ford didn't get the job.
Hacked a hole in the bed of my vanlopy to change the pump.
I can only speak for myself here in California. I just take the bed bolts out lift the bed up. Rest bed on cut 2 x 4 shovel. Whatever you got that’s about 6 foot long to hold the bed up. Change the pump drop the bed back down done I know in the rust belt it’s a lot harder easier to replace a couple tank straps and drop the tank some people in the rust belt just cut a hole in the bed and patch it, but yeah, I’m all about either dropping the fuel tank or lifting the bed
Everyone is stuck on a truck bed but cars/suv s need fuel pumps too! The manufacturers should make access panels to fuel pumps period....Some do !!
There was no legitimate reason in this video why not to create a access panel in a truck bed. Maybe this truck bed wasn’t the best design to do so, but if done right on plenty other models it makes the job so much easier, especially the next time you have to change the pump and don’t have to create the access panel at the same time. I recommend only creating a access panel if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time and are willing to do it right by cutting the proper size hole and fabricating a nice cover that will seal up nicely. If it’s a beater then you can just do a hack job like no other!🤷🏽♂️😂
Wow , I can't believe how clean and free of rust this truck is , up here in Ontario Canada doing any kind of job like this you need a full face shield, rust in the eye balls sucks
Great job
Yeah, that looks miserable. I'm cutting a hole.
Works great I cut mine out and put hinges and latch on it works great
So much easier to unbolt the box and slide it back than trying to get the tank out, takes less time too.
you always want to cut an access hole, any normal person cant afford to drop the entire gas tank each time something goes wrong, after spending $360 on having to drop my gas tank 3 times i ended up cutting an access hatch for $80 and i wish i had done it sooner. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS DUDE it will be the best decision you have ever made i promise. it is so easy to change out a fuel pump or the sending unit! the main issue most people have is not being able to unmount and completely drop the gas tank just to see what's wrong. save yourself time and money by simply cutting an access hatch above the fuel harness and you'll never need to drop your tank again!
What kind of siphon hose is that...that you used to siphon the gas?
like a TTFLEX Gas Siphon Hose Pump, Shaker Siphon $9.99 Amazon
What did you use to get the gas out of the tank?
A jerk off pump
A shake-to-start siphon hose
@@bw1841 it's a jerk off pump LoL
@@bw1841 thank you!
@@bw1841 where did you find it I've never seen one before that's pretty cool actually
Never pull the tank, it's faster and easier to pull the bed off. Or take all bolts out of one side then loosen other bolts in bed and jack bed up sideways. So much easier faster and cleaner
I'm not that fast at it, but shoot yeah that's better than choppin or droppin a 27 gallon tank, full of course.
It depends on which vehicle you are working on and how rusty it is. 400 series Chev/GMC, I'm cutting a pane because they go out often. I am doing a 2006 Ford F 150 now and not easy to cut a panel because it is a crew cab, it would require a panel under the seat. Ford should have provided one, but they have really poor engineering (their plastic gas lines for instance}. The ford dealer changed the pump 3 years ago and charged this guy $2,500 (they are a B to work on). The pump was running constantly and had between 1 and 2 PSI. It looks like a cheap Chinese pump the stealership installed, I found the internal pump fuel pressure line is broken in half. Wouldn't a Ford pump have a part number or markings on it? Lots of cars come with an access panel, check and see if you have a panel before you begin pulling the tank. I have found panels on Lexus, Buicks, Jeeps and I'm sure many others have them also.
Ratchet straps make that so much easier.
having an overhead beam to lift the bed.
Unbolt the bed and lift one side unless fuel pump is under cab !
Personally, I would never cut a hole in the bed of my truck. That said…living in the rust belt, I totally understand why some choose to. Those older vehicles out west L👀K like virgins under the carriage. Out here, a heat induction tool such as the BoltBuster is absolutely mandatory, but still no guaranties. You end up opening a can of worms! That specific hardware that will need to be sourced, once in a bind, is not easily accessible. Leaving you face down arse up on the side of the road. 👍Job well done!
Great job dude you make it seem so easy 😂
I live in New Hampshire and want to buy a used Southern F150 pickup instead of a new
I cut a hole, made a cover, in the floor my 2014 Expedition. I can change a fuel pump in about 15 minutes even at the side of the road if needed. Being stuck on the highway is no fun. I know I would get points taken off my Expedition at a car show for doing this. But I am not going to enter my SUV in a car show. Not now or ever.😑
I got a vent and full flow nozzle on my gas can and that is what I call a jerk off pump LoL 😆😆😆😆 and yes I cut a access hole in my 98 Ford e250 right at the hump on drivers side inside the van 6 8 mm bolts hold the pump assembly in place tank is easy to drop but not fully fueled and I keep my tank full all the time
You can come up to Michigan and try to replace my fuel pump by dropping the tank good luck
Hey man sorry but on my 05 f250 work beater it was a lot easier to cut vs remove rusty bolts etc I just patched it and put a tool box over it
I would rather cut a hole its easy enough
did you replace the fuel filter too
A full 20 gal tank has 180 lbs of gas. Add about 20 lbs for the tank and you're 200+ lbs.
You need to buy a pump up spray tank, mine is a 2 gallon I use mine as air supply to blow dirt and trash away, try it and see for your self
Sliding the tank on concrete the most dangerous thing you can do.
Where are you located ? I need someone to install a fuel pump in my 04 Suburban and if I can’t find someone then I’m definitely going to be cutting a hole in the floor of it because it’s full of gas and I don’t have any help.
Never mind I see that you’re out west somewhere
Great video. How much do u charge for a Diagnosis?
I thought you.d put that gas in your tank for the landscape clean up.
Does anyone know or have the measurements where to cut the hole. My s1o is basically a beater that gets me back and forth to work.
Yeah, don't cut the bed floor. Just get under the truck and get dirt and rust in your eyes!
Hell yeah!
Cut the panel much easier on a beater truck...
Did you replace the fuel filter too?
Holy smokes, just loosen the bed bolts and jack the front of the bed up......
Thank you Sir.