Some updated Photos of the project at hand.

Look at that nice rust...



Bottom half



My spare... It's old enough to VOTE.



bottom



Here is my now completely working fuel pump. I am waiting on a fuel collar gasket to finish the work under here. I may add another coat of the black gloss paint to spots on the frame. It was difficult painting on my back under the frame.





Here's a distance shot of the top half of the spare tire mount.



It needs a bit more paint.



She cleaned up nicely. I know the wheel is strong just was ugly as sin.



The whole purpose of this exercise was to keep the rust down. I am not to worried about how pretty she gets. Although I feel like it's a big improvement.

 

Looks good.

 

Thanks.

I'll post a pic of the marking line on a 22 gal tank that will help others when replacing a fuel pump. I want it to be common knowledge where they go in case using a marker won't help if someone else messed up the work prior. I am about 80% sure it would be the same position for the 15 gallon tank.

I noticed a small arrow on the pump assembly (several models have that.) and there is a mark line outside the brim of the tank. May need to clean off the dust/dirt that builds up.


Love my truck. Can't wait for the next project of the front end work.

 

I am posting this mainly because I want to help avoid any possible confusion for anyone else that installs a fuel pump.

I didn't pull the sticker off but from most of the pumps that I've seen there is a little arrow on the brim of the fuel pump. This is to indicate where the fuel pump is to be installed to allow the sending unit to still function.

There is a sticker over mine as I was to lazy to peel it off.

You may also notice in this picture that there are a series of lines to the right. As much as they look like they want you to pay attention to them they are NOT the lines for the arrow on the pump



Now if you carefully wipe the brim of the gas tank after pulling the defective pump as the tank most likely caked with dust. You will see a tiny line that's about 9-10 o'clock from the bigger marks. It was tough for me to see at first but I noticed something strange when I watched a few install videos. They were put in at an angel. That's when I noticed this faint mark.

 

Update: I wanted to wait a few before I posted this information.

After installing the new pump it may take time for the new pump to learn how to gauge a turn or deceleration and acceleration. It may read incorrectly at these instances due to the fuel sloshing around in the gas tank. At first I just let mine run normally but I did find some vague advice to reset the PCM to allow it to learn with the new pump.

Apparently to reset the PCM (most likely will lose radio stations here.) it requires the the operator to pull the Negative battery terminal and then turn the key forward and holding for 15 seconds. DO NOT try to start the vehicle just 1 click forward. If someone feels they know more on the subject please correct me if I am wrong.

I did the reset and I've driven the truck for a while now. She's reading gas better and better on turns and during braking/accelerating.

I am very happy to have my gauge back. I'll still log my mileage like a hawk but I can relax on my concerns of being out of gas and enjoy driving again.