Fuel Pump Fun & Steve’s Access Panel

[RR-Texas]

It’s on the ground finally, after removing the 33 gallons of fuel! Thankfully my 6’? nephew got off early. I couldn’t get to the lines over the diff because the exhaust was in the way. He got the shorter tighter line off, then we dropped it some more and he inserted the tool from the wheel well and I pulled off the driver’s side line. No locks, one mount bolt loose as well as the clamp for the filler neck in the wheel well. So not original I’d believe but 5 years of daily use and 3 more occasional so.

Now the BIG Decision $49 one year or $99 dollar lifetime, just looked on line I don’t want either! Motorcraft is expensive and I need the fuel gauge too. Do I go ahead and and use “Steve’s” instructions and cut my Access panel? 60 now with my healing knee right and another knee and two shoulders to go. I have not missed having to maintain a vehicle, but looks like my other redhead is back in daily play...once she starts!

I just saw that Bronco Graveyard now sell an access panel cover, I think I’ll do it now. Just makes sense

Richard

 

[Tiha]

Yeah if you are not putting fancy interior in making difficult to access the panel in the future I would add one. Pulling those tanks are a miserable job and you never know with replacement parts. Some are great and some not so much.

I personally would go with lifetime parts. I dont' get rid of stuff very often.

 

[miesk5]

Yo Rich,
As Tiha advised!
Some cut a yard queen's bed from F series, etc. to save $.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

I agree with mieks5. Access panels really make life easier.

 

[RR-Texas]

Now we know for sure the tank has been dropped or it was left from the assembly line

 

[RR-Texas]

So to get the tailgate down I have to unload the passenger floor board, move what’s behind the seat, crawl of the rear seat, move the 33” tire and cut the wire tie holding up the back window. All with the knee replacement still not great. That’s part of the fun I guess for me.

Remember she got hit right corner, so no more exterior mount & it jammed the outer panel against the rear window track binding the motor. Since it’s not the original glass already I believe I should remove it before beating on the tailgate.

Thinking about this set up, nephew mentioned the bumper with a spare tire mount as well? More expensive. Did I mention she’s going back to daily service? For sure needs a drivers side seat too, tilt handle broke off flush, right side door stop broke off the same day I think?

 

[RR-Texas]

I’m committed now, I drilled my first 1/8” hole from underneath 1” from lip of spot welded body mount, then another 8” across. Now I got 4 1/2” holes at the corners to stop cracking and going for the 4 1/2” grinder with a cutting blade Monty! I used a blade cover so the blue tarp is for stray sparks, the board for the direction they were flying.

Now we have an access opening, guess I’m close as I can see the metal tube for the vent line. I need a float as it’s full of gas & being a mechanic I of course have a couple...lost in a 10x30 storage some where? So I check and see if they sale them or try and fix mine, drill a little hole and then reseal the seam & hole.

 

[RR-Texas]

We have success, at least the pump is in, hope it works, the tank is currently hanging by 4 long bolts and I have a an access holeView attachment 21842

 

[Tiha]

Nice work.

 

[RR-Texas]

Nice work.

Thanks you have any knowledge on the VSS? I jump the pump and still nada. Me and this girl use to be in sync when she was my daily

 

[BroncoJoe19]

VSS has nothing to do with your pump.

You jumped the pump. What do you mean? How did you do it? If you applied power and ground directly to the pump, then you got a bad part.

 

[BigFootJ302]

We have success, at least the pump is in, hope it works, the tank is currently hanging by 4 long bolts and I have a an access holeView attachment 21842

Great job on the access hole. What did the interior and bottom of tank look like? What kind of muck and varnish was in there? Any suggestions on how to clean the tank before install of new pump?

 

[RR-Texas]

Great job on the access hole. What did the interior and bottom of tank look like? What kind of muck and varnish was in there? Any suggestions on how to clean the tank before install of new pump?

There is a video on line about tank cleaning, mine looked fine. It’s been a daily driver a good portion of its life & for all I know the previous owner replaced it? With the engine and PCM?