On this thread:https://dodgeforum.com/m_1209424/tm.htm,I talked about the problem I was having with my fuel gauge malfunctioning and the Check Engine light coming on. Today I replaced the fuel pump with a new unit from AutoZone. In removing the old fuel pump, I decided to try it without dropping the fuel tank or removing the cargo bed. Instead I left the bed in place and tipped it back enough to give me clearance to remove the old pump. For your viewing pleasure, here's how I did it:

1) Disconnect the battery negative terminal
2) Disconnect the fuel filler tube - 4 screws
3) Drop the spare tire (makes the bed bolts easier to reach)
4) Removed the plastic license plate holder - 5 screws (this might not be necessary, but I didn't want it getting in the way)
5) Removed the 4 forward-most cargo bed bolts. Loosened the 2 rear-most bolts just before the rear bumper. I backed those out about an inch, so they were almost out.
6) Using a floor jack and miscellanous pieces of 2x6 wood blocks, I jacked up the front of the bed.

Here's a pic showing the bed jacked up:



7) Next I disconnected all the hoses and electrical connections, then removed the whiteplastic lock ring. To get the big ring off, I used a tool that has a long strap of rubber that wraps around the ring and allows you to apply leverage to rotate it (sorry, don't know the name of the tool). It's like an oil filter wrench with a rubber strap instead of metal.

8) I had to jack up the bed a couple more inches from the picture in order to coax the old pump out of there. Here's a picture with the pump out, showing how much I had to jack things up.



And here's a pic from the side of the truck, showing how much I had to jack up the bed:



After putting in the new pump and putting everything back together, it all works! Now my gas gauge reads correctly and no more Check Engine light!

Cheers.

 

Good job, great pics......

 

Do you have a pic of the bolts you unscrewed? I'm not to positive about the front part of the bed and how you did that.

 

nice writeup !!!! pm that to Steve for the DIY.
oh yeah - strap wrench.

 

and to be honest, I'd like to see more pics of your truck. Looks like it has a nice paint job with nice wheels.

 

Man, that looks dangerous as hell. Glad you didn't get hurt. good write up though.

I can't imagine doing that with any more than one length of wood and a 4X4 to boot. I just think putting multiple blocks up there is asking for a slip. Just MHO.

 

I don't have a pic, but if you crawl around underneath your truck, you'll see the bolts easily. There are 6 bolts. Use a 15mm socket. The front 2 are near the front of the bed, easily accessible. The middle 2 are about 8 inches aft of the rear tire (so they're not near the middle of the bed). Actually they're about even with the spare tire. Finally, the rear 2 bolts are a couple inches in front of the rear bumper. To gain easy access to the 4 rear bolts, drop the spare tire. There are access holes in the frame to use a socket with long extension. I ended up using a deep socket with 3 extensions cobbled together (at least 12 inches) to make things easy. I also used a ratcheting torque wrench for extra leverage -- those bolts are tough because they have blue loctite.

Hope that helps.

 

Good Write up. Good Pics

Thanks
Jeff

 

Excellent point and it goes without saying - be careful! I worked slow and checked for slippage after every inch of raising. The vertical 2x6 fit between the drive shaft and the exhaust pipe. This was good because if the 2x6 started to cant at an angle, the drive shaft or exhaust pipe would catch it and keep it from collapsing. I didn't have any other way of raising the bed, so I worked with what I had. Again, go slow and inspect every block for slippage and canting after every inch of raising.

Another option: Instead of using a jack, enlist the help of 2people. Have themat each side of the front of the bed. With minimal effort, they should be able to lift the front of the bed while someone underneath wedges wood blocks in place between the frame and bed. Since you're not lifting the entire bed and most weight is on the pivot point at the rear, I think this would be fairly easy for 2 people. Something to consider ifyou have 2 extra people!

 

great post. I am about to replace my fuel pump and do not wish to drain a full tank of gas. I could not however see any photos in your post (browser issue?). Could you possibly email mail them to me. I can be found at mirageusa@comcast.net. Thanks