That’s awesome wish I would have thought of that before I made a panel out of stainless to match the shape of the floor for my Bronco. I worked at a metal shop then it turned out free and looks great. But still not a easy to access as a boat freaking hatch. I had to do something the previous owner drilled a bunch of holes around the area and cut the floor up with snips then proceeded to gain access to the tank like a can of tuna. I put in a new plastic fuel tank old one was rusted bad inside. Great job on all your videos man you have done everything to your ride that I want to do to my 96 Bronco one day. I have a vision for it found your videos and it’s like you have the same vision as me.
I completely forgot about this hack! I need to do this on my trucks! Any follow up advice 3+ years later? Anything you would advise doing better on this design?
Thanks man! Hey do me a favor, been getting a lot of messages asking if the measurements match for the suburbans. Haven't had a chance to dive under mine, but if you could share the measurements you find with us that would be killer! I'm guessing they should be pretty close....
@@MerricksGarage I decided to go a little bit more passenger than your K5. I removed the rear trim piece and carpet. Cut 19" right measuring from the edge of the spare tire hole. Then look at the floor and cut between the spot welds (cross braces underneath). I cut a 15"x9.5" rectangle. Ill post pictures with a measure tape on your facebook page. 100% worth it!
For anyone that is wondering about the strength of these, I can verify that they really are tough like he said in the video. I am a marine technician, and I see these almost every day. You won’t break it unless you rip the door off or something like that. When they’re closed and latched they are solid. And yes... Marine grade stuff is great!
Hello. I noticed that the panel is installed more in the center vs more passenger so more of the lines are exposed. Was this by design? Also, my burb has a floor brace just ahead of the fuel pump area. Not sure if the Blazer has one too, but if so did you just cut up to the brace? Thanks.
Your opening size would be the same but I would double check the distance of the opening from the back edge of the floor nearest the bumper. I believe the burbs had a couple different tank sizes that may change that. I could be wrong but worth double checking before cutting the hole.
The suburban is 16" to 28 1\2" from where it turns down for my barn doors on my 85 suburban. Thats the outside measurements, I,just took the hatch and a white sharpie and drew a line around under the lip to get the cut line if that makes sense. Take your time....Side to side is just centered up. Did have to cut some of one of the cross braces but there's 4 total braces so I don't think it's a big deal. Really glad I did this mod!
As always with J. Merrick, fine specimen! One of the best and cleanest. There used to be a layout of measurement picture a guy did over on CK5. Ive seen people do different things to get the cut out piece to act as a cover, people cut a larger piece from a junkyard floor pan, and so on. This is by far the slickerest cover I’ve seen. I replaced tank, sender, and pump on mine so I didn’t cut an access. I pulled up the nasty wet carpet to look and the floor was surprisingly pristine. It will pain me to cut it when I do, but I know it will be the difference in level of suck on the side of the road one day. Another great video @MerricksGarage
Believe it or not, I used some Furnace King Insulation. It was a cheaper alternative that something like dynamat which is probably what I would do now.
So, how did you cut this safely? I mean the gas is right there and you have to cut the metal? Sparks or whatnot? I know this is an old video would have been to great to see the install and cutting of the bed...
Hey James....you never mentioned how you made the cut. Was it an angle grinder? Did you do anything to prevent a fire, like put a fire blanket over the lines?
I definitely like that we have a new toy that we're working on and I want to make a hatch on it to get to the fuel pump I like the idea of the Marine hatch and that Blazer looks so awesome
If you're never hauling anything, and you plan on running through a lot of fuel pumps because you'll be keeping the truck for 80+ years (factory pump has about 20 years service life) I could see doing this, but dropping the tank and changing it the normal way only takes a half hour, and you can still use the truck as a truck when you're done. That plastic lid is rated for 7 pounds of weight per square inch. Most guys need their trucks to haul more than that.
? My floor is corrugated, but I have some noise damper and a vinyl floor down. You are not gonna find one that is corrugated. The best I could find was the hatch I linked below and use some high density foam between it and the floor.
@@MerricksGarage thanks for that detail here in the comments. I was wondering how you got it to sit flush and seal up. That was a detail I didnt hear in the video. Our GMC Jimmy has been sitting for 20 years in the driveway, and probably needs a fuel pump, and fuel tank drain at the very least. When it comes time( Hopefully someday) I can do this hatch mod. Great idea!
Just shared this video in a square body group on Facebook.
Right on, thanks man. Hope you guys find it helpful.
Merricks Garage I have a suburban. I don’t think the measurements are the same.
Save the earth Don't give birth bummer. Ok. If you wanna send me the numbers of you do it I can add them into the video for reference.
Merricks Garage if I wind up doing it, I will definitely send you the numbers.
Awesome
Yes, replacing the fuel pump by yourself is a test of agility and ingenuity. This is a great idea.
Thanks James,
Another great idea that will make life so much easier in the future👍
That’s awesome wish I would have thought of that before I made a panel out of stainless to match the shape of the floor for my Bronco. I worked at a metal shop then it turned out free and looks great. But still not a easy to access as a boat freaking hatch. I had to do something the previous owner drilled a bunch of holes around the area and cut the floor up with snips then proceeded to gain access to the tank like a can of tuna. I put in a new plastic fuel tank old one was rusted bad inside. Great job on all your videos man you have done everything to your ride that I want to do to my 96 Bronco one day. I have a vision for it found your videos and it’s like you have the same vision as me.
Yea my floor was a tuna can for a long time until I saw the hatch and realized it would make my life a lot easier!
Ryan Preston Same here fellow BKO owner, I have a ‘94 but I still watch Merricks Garage’s channel
I completely forgot about this hack! I need to do this on my trucks! Any follow up advice 3+ years later? Anything you would advise doing better on this design?
no its worked great and I have had many people copy it.
Just bought 2, one for k5 one for my suburban, thanks!
Thanks man! Hey do me a favor, been getting a lot of messages asking if the measurements match for the suburbans. Haven't had a chance to dive under mine, but if you could share the measurements you find with us that would be killer!
I'm guessing they should be pretty close....
@@MerricksGarage I decided to go a little bit more passenger than your K5. I removed the rear trim piece and carpet. Cut 19" right measuring from the edge of the spare tire hole. Then look at the floor and cut between the spot welds (cross braces underneath). I cut a 15"x9.5" rectangle. Ill post pictures with a measure tape on your facebook page. 100% worth it!
Thanks James! This is brilliant...having replaced the fuel pump myself years back....well, this is the best idea I’ve seen! Thank you!
thanks for sharing. i love that hatch. when i change my pump in my k5, i’m definitely doing that. gm should have done that from the factory.
I’m thinking about doing this in my Bronco when the fuel pump gives up, thanks @ Merricks Garage
For anyone that is wondering about the strength of these, I can verify that they really are tough like he said in the video. I am a marine technician, and I see these almost every day. You won’t break it unless you rip the door off or something like that. When they’re closed and latched they are solid. And yes... Marine grade stuff is great!
Genius!
I need to do this to my diesel suburban.
Dang thats awesome!!! Keep coming up with new ideas...
I just bought my 1981 2500 Suburban last weekend. Looking forward to your build
Hello. I noticed that the panel is installed more in the center vs more passenger so more of the lines are exposed. Was this by design? Also, my burb has a floor brace just ahead of the fuel pump area. Not sure if the Blazer has one too, but if so did you just cut up to the brace? Thanks.
I did cut through the brace.
Awsome video
How soon are we gonna see some work on the burb?
Soon.
Thanks for the video my sending unit just went out on my K5 this is going to help out a lot to get it changed
It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Would these measurements be the same for a suburban?
Yes they would.
Your opening size would be the same but I would double check the distance of the opening from the back edge of the floor nearest the bumper. I believe the burbs had a couple different tank sizes that may change that. I could be wrong but worth double checking before cutting the hole.
The suburban is 16" to 28 1\2" from where it turns down for my barn doors on my 85 suburban. Thats the outside measurements, I,just took the hatch and a white sharpie and drew a line around under the lip to get the cut line if that makes sense. Take your time....Side to side is just centered up. Did have to cut some of one of the cross braces but there's 4 total braces so I don't think it's a big deal. Really glad I did this mod!
Merricks Garage it was 28 1/2 on my burb
As always with J. Merrick, fine specimen! One of the best and cleanest. There used to be a layout of measurement picture a guy did over on CK5. Ive seen people do different things to get the cut out piece to act as a cover, people cut a larger piece from a junkyard floor pan, and so on. This is by far the slickerest cover I’ve seen. I replaced tank, sender, and pump on mine so I didn’t cut an access. I pulled up the nasty wet carpet to look and the floor was surprisingly pristine. It will pain me to cut it when I do, but I know it will be the difference in level of suck on the side of the road one day. Another great video @MerricksGarage
Yesssss....been thinking of doing this!
Just curious what you did to seal it against the valley's and dips in the floor of the k5?
Believe it or not, I used some Furnace King Insulation. It was a cheaper alternative that something like dynamat which is probably what I would do now.
Just bought one...unfortunately didn’t go through your store bc I needed grey. Sorry dude, but still an awesome vid!
no worries, glad it helped!
So, how did you cut this safely? I mean the gas is right there and you have to cut the metal? Sparks or whatnot? I know this is an old video would have been to great to see the install and cutting of the bed...
Hey James....you never mentioned how you made the cut. Was it an angle grinder? Did you do anything to prevent a fire, like put a fire blanket over the lines?
Angle grinder and the lines weren’t in yet.
@@MerricksGarage How do I keep from igniting my gas tank while I grind out the hole?
@@keicol very very carefully. Lol. No, I would drop your tank
I definitely like that we have a new toy that we're working on and I want to make a hatch on it to get to the fuel pump I like the idea of the Marine hatch and that Blazer looks so awesome
If you're never hauling anything, and you plan on running through a lot of fuel pumps because you'll be keeping the truck for 80+ years (factory pump has about 20 years service life) I could see doing this, but dropping the tank and changing it the normal way only takes a half hour, and you can still use the truck as a truck when you're done. That plastic lid is rated for 7 pounds of weight per square inch. Most guys need their trucks to haul more than that.
There are so many incorrect statements here I don’t know where to begin
what is your floor is corrugated? is there an access door that would fit and seal?
? My floor is corrugated, but I have some noise damper and a vinyl floor down. You are not gonna find one that is corrugated. The best I could find was the hatch I linked below and use some high density foam between it and the floor.
Is this molded vinyl flooring? If so, where did you get? Thanks for the content!
@@MerricksGarage thanks for that detail here in the comments. I was wondering how you got it to sit flush and seal up. That was a detail I didnt hear in the video. Our GMC Jimmy has been sitting for 20 years in the driveway, and probably needs a fuel pump, and fuel tank drain at the very least. When it comes time( Hopefully someday) I can do this hatch mod. Great idea!
Are these dimensions the same for doing a hatch for a Suburban?
Yes they should be
more likes all offroaders
Man, i think I’m doing this on my k5 Blazer!!!
Is that the stock tank??
The video has been posted for 3 mins and it’s a 6 min video how do you know it’s a good video lol
Because he read the title and my reputation precedes me. 😜😂
Well he was right it was a good video
Merricks Garage ohhhhh jeeeeeezzzz here we go..... lol
@merricks garage aren’t you supposed to measure things using the metric system??? 😜