Pickup fuel pump replacement - lifting bed

[Squirrel's242]

UPDATE 5/22 - I changed the fuel pump, and broke my utv now

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Hey guys I need to replace the fuel pump on my 06 Ram 2500 short bed. I've gone back and forth debating which method to access the tank - drop the tank or lift the bed? I'm still on the fence but could use a few questions answered to help me choose if yall don't mind?

First, how do I rig the bed to use the tractor to lift it? Do I used chains or ratchet straps? If so, where do I attach? Corner pockets or down at the corner tie downs?

Or instead should I use a lifting bar setup of some kind to support under the bed rails? Like those H-shaped bed lifts? Do they have to be metal or could a 2x4 jig be fabbed?

Backfilling some other info here on the rest of the scenario...

As for the tractor, I've got pallet forks or I can remove the forks from the SSQA mount and use the lifting shackle on the receiver hitch slot. Tires are filled w beet juice and I've got a box blade attached. I'm confident there's enough counter weight for the lightweight stock box (probably several hundred pounds?). I plan to remove the cross bed tool box. It has a few items in it, not heavy, but enough to cause a balance issue when lifting.

If I drop the tank I do have several floor jacks to assist. I have a Badlands 3T offroad jack and a Strongway motorcycle lift jack. Some assorted bottle jacks too. I would be working outside on an uneven caliche driveway, no flat cement here.

As for the truck, I've calculated I have 13-15 gallons of diesel left in the 34 gallon tank and don't have any place to transfer the fuel too. The fuel in the truck is treated w tcw3/atf for the 5.9 and I cannot run it in the tractor nor the 07.5 6.7 truck. And I think my utv is mostly full w a 7gal tank. I've only got a 5gal diesel jug on hand. I could go buy more jugs, didn't want to, but I could...

Anyway, that's the scenario I'm working with. Help on ready-ing the bed would be great. Or if you've done this before, I'm ears.

 

[Engineer42]

Pick up the bed. Far easier. Start soaking the bolts with Blaster a day or so before. You can hook to the lower tie downs in the bed if it's in good shape. Chain, or lifting straps would be better. Don't use ratchet straps to lift with unless dire emergency.

Don't forget to unhook fuel fill and wiring.

Slow and steady while lifting and lowering.

When reinstalling bed, put never-seize on the bolts.

 

[Alan W.]

When we pulled the bed on my sons 08 Superduty I soaked them everyday a week before we pulled it.
Broke all of my torx bits. Got more and applied heat from a mapp torch. Broke those bits. Ended up using a cutoff wheel on the heads. The bolts were not rusted. It was the loctite that Ford had used.

 

[LittleBill21]

this tool is a god send if you have the room to use it, send shocks down the bolt, instead of twisting.

https://www.amazon.com/Mayhew-Tools...afa4ef3491f6e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

 

[Squirrel's242]

Pick up the bed. Far easier. Start soaking the bolts with Blaster a day or so before. You can hook to the lower tie downs in the bed if it's in good shape. Chain, or lifting straps would be better. Don't use ratchet straps to lift with unless dire emergency.

Don't forget to unhook fuel fill and wiring.

Slow and steady while lifting and lowering.

When reinstalling bed, put never-seize on the bolts.

I will start spraying bolts. And look into some lifting straps. I don't have those specifically for the tractor. I've got a long tow strap and a tree saver in the truck but that's it. Oh, and a chain.

The lower tie downs are in good shape that I believe. I use them but never overtightened, I feared ripping them out one day if I did so I was careful.

Good reminder on the wiring and filler neck. If I go the lifting route I think I should do those first so I don't get overzealous and forget. I was watching a video and the person mentioned they ripped out a ground wire at the front of the bed. I will do a sweep and see if there's any other connections frame to bed. My truck has that rubber gap shield between the cab and bed. Any idea if that is attached to both cab and bed or just sorta snug fit?

I have a ton of anti-size, I will use it.

 

[Squirrel's242]

When we pulled the bed on my sons 08 Superduty I soaked them everyday a week before we pulled it.
Broke all of my torx bits. Got more and applied heat from a mapp torch. Broke those bits. Ended up using a cutoff wheel on the heads. The bolts were not rusted. It was the loctite that Ford had used.

Oh man that sounds frustrating. Hopefully that's not the case here. It's too hot outside for that I'll start spraying bolts and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Squirrel's242]

this tool is a god send if you have the room to use it, send shocks down the bolt, instead of twisting.

https://www.amazon.com/Mayhew-Tools...afa4ef3491f6e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Hmm, interesting. I do have an air hammer and compressor. Not sure about the room to work yet. I'll keep this in mind. Thank you.

Hopefully bolts don't fight too much. The truck has always been in South Texas where we don't salt roads unless the groceries fell out the truck. Rust isn't as much of an issue than in other areas but that don't mean it still won't fight. Especially on a 19yo truck.

 

[not2old]

On my 1990 F250 with 8' box, I used two 6' step ladders and a 2x2 steel bar between them with ratchet straps hooked into the holes just below the top of the box. I used more straps to attach the 2x2 to the ladders. My straps are twice as thick as the typical cheap ones. At the rear I used ratchet straps hooked to the bucket on my tractor. Be sure to have some saw horses available if your loader slowly sinks like mine. I did this job alone with no help and didn't experience any problems. Lifting each corner a few inches at a time was easier than you might think.

 

[2manyrocks]

Lifting straps are not that expensive at Harbor Freight and will scratch less than chains. I suppose you could use an engine hoist if you have one just to only lift as much as you have to and no more.

 

[chim]

How much does the bed weigh? It may be easier to get four healthy lads to stop by for pizza. I helped remove a VW body years ago when a bud built a dune buggy and it wasn't all that difficult.