Alright guys, I'm getting ready to replace the fuel sending unit on my 2003 1500 5.7. What I'm curious to know is if it will be easier to remove the bed to get to the top of the tank or to just drop the tank? Looking for input from anyone who has done either. Thanks!

Mac

 

I have dropped my tank and it wasnt hard. Just undo the intake fuel hose from the gas cap and I think there is one more smaller line up there. The undo the bolts on the two straps just before they are off, place a jack and a 2*4 or 1*6 under the tank to support it and let it down slowly. Obviously, the less fuel in it the better.

 

Thanks weedahoe. After crawling under the truck and looking, it looks like it won't be too tough to drop the tank. Anyone else care to chime in? Thanks!

Mac

 

It will all be depending upon the amount of help that you have. If you have enough strong people, pull the bed. It's easier to get to the tank, just a few bolts, then a few strong guys pull the bed off the truck. One of the guys I worked with said he's done both ways, and with a few guys helping, pull the bed has always been the easier way to do it.

 

I've done both by myself. Pulled the bed on a GMC and dropped the tank on a Ford. Never had to do anything like that to the Dodge yet. The tank was 100% full when I pulled the bed, so I thought it was the better way. It sure was a lot of work, though, to pick the bed up at one end while sliding a two by four in between, and then the other end, before sliding it over to sit on the back frame and a toolbox. Removing the tank was much easier. I used straps up between the bed and the cab on one end and a floor jack with a piece of plywood on the other end. I was surprised how much easier it was.

 

put on my lift. raise in the air. drop the tank. nothing easier. lol drop the tank much easier than realigning the bed and chance scratching paint.

 

If it were me. I'd drop the tank. No touching the bed=no scratches involved. No heavy lifting either.
If you get a good jack and a piece of plywood, you can lower the tank with the jack and then slide it off of the jack when you get it to the ground.

 

Thas exactly how I did mine and I did it by myself. No help was needed.