gas tank access panel?

Stitz Love · 10-04-2009, 05:13 AM

Recently it appears I will have to replace the fuel pump in my 1990 C1500.
The pump is in the Gas Tank. (dang)
I have read in the Chevy and GM forums two techniques of accomplishing this task. 1. Drop the fuel tank... 2. Remove the Truck bed...
I have been wondering if anyone has ever cut a hole in their truck bed to access the pump and wiring harness (etc.) and made a hatch/door for easy access should they ever have to do this task again? (Due to a faulty 'new' or 'reman' pump, or just wearing the 2nd. pump out)

I got the idea from a friend of mine explaining some 5th. wheel hitch he saw, which, when not in use, receeds under the bed (flips down or cranks down, I can't recall) so as to give the owner full use of the trucks bed.
He said it was a suprisingly small hole which is covered by a panel made from the hole cut in the bed to accomodate this hitch.

Is there a 'standard' procedure' for this? Or ... IF you were going to do this, 'how would you do it?' If you have done it... photos?

Or is it even an option?

Thank You.

leolkfrm · 10-04-2009, 06:24 AM

tip the bed not remove it

bradrhale · 10-04-2009, 06:43 AM

answer to if anyone has done it, yes. i believe stumpuller454 has done this to his but as for easy without cutting up the bed, tip the bed like mentioned above.

Wyley87 · 10-04-2009, 07:54 AM

if you have some help you can easily unbolt the bed and pick it up and rest the front of it on the rear tire and the back of it on the bumper.

stumpuller454 · 10-04-2009, 02:29 PM

this is what i did.

the hole measures 13.5 inches side to side and 7 inches front to back (speaking from sitting in vehicle). I cut the whole 4.5" away from the start of the bed and 11" from the side of the bed, using a die grinder with a cutting disc attachment. I plan to weld in small tabs to hold the door from falling through, but also put dual hinges near the front of the bed, and a latch on the rear vehicle side of the door. make sure as soon as you do it to clean and rust primer the area or rust will happen soon afterwards.

my truck is a short box and i don`t know if a long box will be located in the same position. (-:

stump.

Stitz Love · 10-04-2009, 05:11 PM

YES!!!
That looks GREAT!!
That is what I want to do!!! (Why don't they just come from the factory like that?!!)
Thank you Stump!
Yep, mine is a shortbed, too. (1990)
Is that a portion of frame I see running accross the front part of the hole?
Also, did you do this to change the fuel pump? How did you keep the rust and bits o' tripe from falling into the tank when you pulled the assy. out of there?
Any special P.P.E. I'll need for this task?

stumpuller454 · 10-04-2009, 06:03 PM

the portion in the front is a structural peice of the box, they run side to side of the box and there are a few down to the back too. I did this to change my fuel pump yes. when i cut the panel out i used compressed air to clean the area, when you remove the snap ring holding the pump in, make sure you hold the pump down and blow some more of the **** out after the snap ring is out, some is always stuck under it. you may not need the secial tools to remove the lines (can`t remember on the older units)

as for PPE, keep the cigarettes in the house, lol

gmctrucks · 10-04-2009, 06:31 PM

Love you might use a brass punch so it won't spark my buddy did mine with half a tank of gas in it he just lowed the tank down and since I bought a Delphi I figure or HOPE that it will last another 16 years. Stump that's a good idea I was wanting to do that once.

batty1214 · 10-04-2009, 06:39 PM

That is a good idea if you go through alot fo pumps........ I have replaced about 2 a month for the last year, in 1997-2007 chevrolet trucks....... I found it easiest to undo the light harnesses, undo the 8 bolts holding the bed down, move it back, with the front of the bed resting on the rear tires, and change it out........... I havent had any of the pumps from the Dealer on me, but the ones that I have bought from the aftermarket about 7 of 10 have gone out already.......... I use overhead cranes to move the beds back though, due to the fact that I work in a shop that is well equiped..... thats why I say its easier to go that route.

batty1214 · 10-04-2009, 06:41 PM

but in your case, you may want to go the route of the hole in the bed, if you want the easier access........ I have considered it, but I dont think that when I sell my trucks, people wont want a hole in the bed

10-04-2009, 05:13 AM	#1
Stitz Love Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 213	gas tank access panel? Recently it appears I will have to replace the fuel pump in my 1990 C1500. The pump is in the Gas Tank. (dang) I have read in the Chevy and GM forums two techniques of accomplishing this task. 1. Drop the fuel tank... 2. Remove the Truck bed... I have been wondering if anyone has ever cut a hole in their truck bed to access the pump and wiring harness (etc.) and made a hatch/door for easy access should they ever have to do this task again? (Due to a faulty 'new' or 'reman' pump, or just wearing the 2nd. pump out) I got the idea from a friend of mine explaining some 5th. wheel hitch he saw, which, when not in use, receeds under the bed (flips down or cranks down, I can't recall) so as to give the owner full use of the trucks bed. He said it was a suprisingly small hole which is covered by a panel made from the hole cut in the bed to accomodate this hitch. Is there a 'standard' procedure' for this? Or ... IF you were going to do this, 'how would you do it?' If you have done it... photos? Or is it even an option? Thank You. __________________ 1990 Chevy Cheyenne, SB (2wd / AC) with a; 1993 5.7 from Police Cruiser (LO-5)-(?) installed by previous owner. (It sat for 7 years before I bought it.)

10-04-2009, 06:24 AM	#2
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,892	tip the bed not remove it __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

10-04-2009, 07:54 AM	#4
Wyley87 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arlington, Tx Posts: 663	if you have some help you can easily unbolt the bed and pick it up and rest the front of it on the rear tire and the back of it on the bumper. __________________ 96 GMC C1500 305 2WD K&N FIPK C.A.I. Rebuilt Motor and Trans Mobil 1 15w50/Mobil 1 Filter 05 Nissan Xterra 4.0 V6 Royal Purple 5w30/Mobil 1 Filter Cost money to go fast...How fast do you wanna go?

10-04-2009, 02:29 PM	#5
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,206	this is what i did. the hole measures 13.5 inches side to side and 7 inches front to back (speaking from sitting in vehicle). I cut the whole 4.5" away from the start of the bed and 11" from the side of the bed, using a die grinder with a cutting disc attachment. I plan to weld in small tabs to hold the door from falling through, but also put dual hinges near the front of the bed, and a latch on the rear vehicle side of the door. make sure as soon as you do it to clean and rust primer the area or rust will happen soon afterwards. my truck is a short box and i don`t know if a long box will be located in the same position. (-: stump. __________________ SUPERCHARGED 454 K2500 GMC! Watch My Youtube Videos!!<<<

10-04-2009, 05:11 PM	#6
Stitz Love Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 213	YES!!! That looks GREAT!! That is what I want to do!!! (Why don't they just come from the factory like that?!!) Thank you Stump! Yep, mine is a shortbed, too. (1990) Is that a portion of frame I see running accross the front part of the hole? Also, did you do this to change the fuel pump? How did you keep the rust and bits o' tripe from falling into the tank when you pulled the assy. out of there? Any special P.P.E. I'll need for this task? __________________ 1990 Chevy Cheyenne, SB (2wd / AC) with a; 1993 5.7 from Police Cruiser (LO-5)-(?) installed by previous owner. (It sat for 7 years before I bought it.)

10-04-2009, 06:43 AM	#3
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,499	answer to if anyone has done it, yes. i believe stumpuller454 has done this to his but as for easy without cutting up the bed, tip the bed like mentioned above.

10-04-2009, 06:03 PM	#7
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,206	the portion in the front is a structural peice of the box, they run side to side of the box and there are a few down to the back too. I did this to change my fuel pump yes. when i cut the panel out i used compressed air to clean the area, when you remove the snap ring holding the pump in, make sure you hold the pump down and blow some more of the ** out after the snap ring is out, some is always stuck under it. you may not need the secial tools to remove the lines (can`t remember on the older units) as for PPE, keep the cigarettes in the house, lol __________________ SUPERCHARGED 454 K2500 GMC! Watch My Youtube Videos!!<<<**

10-04-2009, 06:31 PM	#8
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,635	Love you might use a brass punch so it won't spark my buddy did mine with half a tank of gas in it he just lowed the tank down and since I bought a Delphi I figure or HOPE that it will last another 16 years. Stump that's a good idea I was wanting to do that once.

10-04-2009, 06:39 PM	#9
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,276	That is a good idea if you go through alot fo pumps........ I have replaced about 2 a month for the last year, in 1997-2007 chevrolet trucks....... I found it easiest to undo the light harnesses, undo the 8 bolts holding the bed down, move it back, with the front of the bed resting on the rear tires, and change it out........... I havent had any of the pumps from the Dealer on me, but the ones that I have bought from the aftermarket about 7 of 10 have gone out already.......... I use overhead cranes to move the beds back though, due to the fact that I work in a shop that is well equiped..... thats why I say its easier to go that route.

10-04-2009, 06:41 PM	#10
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,276	but in your case, you may want to go the route of the hole in the bed, if you want the easier access........ I have considered it, but I dont think that when I sell my trucks, people wont want a hole in the bed

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