96 Dodge diesel fuel tank

[kenstrac]

I need to change fuel sending unit on a Dodge 2500 is it just as easy to remove the bed as it is to drop the tank. How many bolts hold the bed in place?

 

[ccsial]

I found this online.

You can raise the bed up and access the fuel tank and it doesn't matter how much fuel is in the tank. This is actually an easier way. There are 8 bolts that hold the bed to the frame. 4 on the front and 4 on the rear. I can't remember what size they are that moment but an impact with a couple of extensions make easy work of it. Then you need to unhook the electrical via a couple of electrical connections at the rear of the truck. You will also need to take off the license plate holder because it sits sort of behind/inside the rear bumper. Then take loose the fuel filler neck by opening the fuel door and removing the fuel cap and the three sheet metal screws that hold the filler to the bed.

Now you can tip the bed up on the drivers side enough to access the fuel tank.

Start by removing the electrical connection on the sender. Then remove the two fuel lines. The fuel lines have two different types of connections so you can't get them mixed up upon reassembly. The first one has a little clear clip that you have to squeeze together while pulling the line off. The other has a black clip that you pull out completely then you can pull the line off.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Never done one on a Dodge but have done 2 on GM 1/2 tons and it was a 20 minute job to drop the tank. Last one was full of fuel. We just drove the rear wheels up on ramps. 2 guys can handle it with a floor jack under the tank, even if full.

Chris

 

[Egon]

Two straps holding the tank up, fuel filler connection and the fuel electrical connections on top of the tank.

Manged to change it out myself with a floor jack. Tank was about 1/2 full. It's also a good time to check the straps and fuel lines behind the tank for rust. I replaced one strap and a fuel line.

Note: I'm not real mechanically inclined

 

[WH401]

If you've got a tractor w/ an FEL handy than I would suggest using it to completely lift the bed off the frame. That'll make it a lot easier to work in/on the tank.

 

[kenstrac]

I found this online.

You can raise the bed up and access the fuel tank and it doesn't matter how much fuel is in the tank. This is actually an easier way. There are 8 bolts that hold the bed to the frame. 4 on the front and 4 on the rear. I can't remember what size they are that moment but an impact with a couple of extensions make easy work of it. Then you need to unhook the electrical via a couple of electrical connections at the rear of the truck. You will also need to take off the license plate holder because it sits sort of behind/inside the rear bumper. Then take loose the fuel filler neck by opening the fuel door and removing the fuel cap and the three sheet metal screws that hold the filler to the bed.

Now you can tip the bed up on the drivers side enough to access the fuel tank.

Start by removing the electrical connection on the sender. Then remove the two fuel lines. The fuel lines have two different types of connections so you can't get them mixed up upon reassembly. The first one has a little clear clip that you have to squeeze together while pulling the line off. The other has a black clip that you pull out completely then you can pull the line off.

I checked under the truck and I think I will wait till it gets warm again and pull the box right off and change all the lines fuel and brake,and pressure wash it clean the frame and paint it.
Since the truck has a mechanical injector pump and very little electronics and gets 20-21 mpg I think i will hold on to it for a good long time

 

[Diamondpilot]

I checked under the truck and I think I will wait till it gets warm again and pull the box right off and change all the lines fuel and brake,and pressure wash it clean the frame and paint it.
Since the truck has a mechanical injector pump and very little electronics and gets 20-21 mpg I think i will hold on to it for a good long time

Sounds like a good plan. How is the frame holding up with that North Eastern salt? That era Dodge trucks rust badly around here in the front fenders and lower doors?

Chris

 

[kenstrac]

The doors are starting to show rust but the rest is ok in the past 4 yrs I only use the truck to go to the dump in the winter.
I think the liquid that some of the towns use on the roads is worse than salt my BI lives where they use it and his Chevy was in great shape when they were using salt 2yrs after the used the liquid his frame was rotted right out.