Changing fuel tank

[eclipse85k10]

The fuel tank on my dad's 86 crew cab had a hole so I planned to swap it out. I wasn't thinking clearly when I removed the original tank on how I was going to reconnect the three lines on the top of the tank. Does anyone have any tips or am I screwed and do I have to unbolt the bed?

 

[diesel4me]

If it still has the original metal lines at the frame to tank,it it might be possible to connect the rubber hoses with the tank in place,though it'll be a s-o-b ,use brand new soft hose and some wd-40 on the inside of them to help them go over the barb fitting easier,and use whatever clamps you can get at to secure them,I prefer worm gear ones,but the spring type might be easier to put on..

Worse case scenario,you'll end up dropping the tank again or at least one bracket off the frame so it can tilt down enough to get at the hoses..

 

[eclipse85k10]

Thanks. I was hoping to be able to connect the lined with the tank half in.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I had to lift my bed up when I did mine, I couldn't get it connected.

 

[4xcrazy]

I'm usually just laying under it, with the tank laying on my chest and the straps half way connected, but not bolted in yet while I disconnect or reconnect those lines, of course this depends on how hight the truck sits, I did it this way on my mothers 1/2 ton 2wd Silverado, also helps to not have that much fuel in it either.

 

[diesel4me]

The metal fuel lines on my diesel's tanks at the frame were pretty rusted,also the one going to the engine and lift pump was too ,so was the return line metal tubing,it was leaking---so I opted to put 3 pieces of rubber hose right on the sending units fittings,ran a 3/8" copper line right to the fuel filter/water separator on the firewall,and made up a new return line from copper 1/4" tubing...

Now if I want to drop the tank, its much easier to take the rubber hoses off under the cab,rather than fight with clamps right at the sending unit..

I have to drop my tank again anyway though--the dam sending unit is junk,it just buries the fuel gauge at 3 o'clock position no matter how much fuel is in the tank.....wish I had the foresight to see that it worked before bolting the tank back up.....
Also,the darn tank has a weepy spot right under the strap near the seam,so it'll leak if I put more than half a tank in it...

I hate doing the same job repeatedly..since I rarely go very far and cant afford to put more than 5 gallons of diesel in it very often,I'm tempted to "make" a 5 gallon diesel fuel container into a "fuel tank" and mount it in a ammo box on my bed ...then I can just look and SEE how much fuel is left!..

 

[mckustomfab]

I don't remember 100% so i could be wrong but, if you have rubber lines from the top of the tank to the switching valve or your hard lines, couldn't you connect new fuel line to the tank first. Then feed it over the frame rail and connect it to the switching valve? I seem to remember doing mine that way on the passenger side tank.