Fuel Tank Pickup Tube
- Thread starter GasFree
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tbrumm
Full Access Member
I hear that you do not need to pull the front tank to R&R the sender, but I pulled my tank last summer. The showerhead at the end of the pickup tube had disintegrated into a million little black beads. The inside of the tank also had a "scummy" coating on it. I bought some Purple Power degreaser at WallyWorld and poured that in full strength. Then I took a scotchbrite pad and scrubbed the surface inside - whatever I could reach through the sender hole. Also mounted the pad on a wood dowel so I could reach in further. Then I let it soak overnight. The following day, I rinsed the tank out with hot, soapy water, then just water. Following that, I set it out in the hot sun to bake and really dry out. You could also use a neat gun or blow drier to dry it faster. After that, I sloshed a little clean diesel fuel around inside it just to coat the inner surface to prevent rust before I refilled it. Seemed to work fine. At the first fill, I dosed the tank good with DieselKleen. Good luck with your project. I am sure others will offer more helpful advice too.
icanfixall
Official GMM hand model
Dropping the front tank is not needed but if you want all the broken parts out then you have to drop it. Its easy to reach the sender lines too. Really no true way to reach inside the tank if its still in the truck. As posted above. Dropping it will keep the crap from being sucked up into the tank change ove rvalve.. Or simply install a screen on the end of the new piece of hose to repair the broken off suction head. Most any fuel tank screen will work. Removing the sender is simple and easy to reach. Make sure you see the sender locating pin in the tank seal area so the sender gets reinstalled correctly. Blow off the dirt before removing the sender. A piece of 3/8 rubber hose about 3 or 4 inches long with a clamp plus whatever to want to do on the suction end about a screen or nipple and screen.
Thanks guys. I've had it before but for the life of me I can't remember why, fuel line leak maybe? Wasn't too bad to remove with a well placed floor jack and a few boards. I'm done traveling for a while and have it on the list. My tank is plastic so it's probably lighter than the steel ones. I will incorporate the screen idea if I don't remove it. I'm actually entertaining the thought of removing the bed to get at the rust and such so that would be a good time as well. The old girl is well worth all the effort, she'll have been with me 20 years as my daily and only ride come this December.
GOOSE
Happy IDI'er
I second removing the bed. It will all the way around make life easier and you will have a good peace of mind when the frame and under the bed is all painted up nice.
GOOSE
Happy IDI'er
That's funny right there.
The bed isn't horribly heavy, more so awkward to move. I'd have to estimate about 375lbs. One other person and myself have moved a bed, not saying this is the best route to go. I was much younger at the time.
Lifting it up and over the tires is a pain even for four people to do. A decent size tree branch and a chain fall works wonders.
gatorman21218
Registered User
I second removing the bed. It will all the way around make life easier and you will have a good peace of mind when the frame and under the bed is all painted up nice.
It may be easier with a regular bed, but with a 1000lb utility bed its a chore. Trust me. I just spent a few months with the bed off welding it and undercoating it.
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