fuel tank removal
01-07-2011, 03:32 PM
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fuel tank removal
Hello all,
I know this sounds like a horrible thread, but i have a genuine problem here. My fuel pump went out two days ago (yippie!) so i am removing the fuel tank shield and what do ya know? whoever had the fuel tank out last sheared off all the bolts that hold the tank on and then proceeded to WELD, yes weld, the tank back on to the mounting points. All i want to know is how would someone go about removing the tank without damaging it or having a nice explosion in their garage? i have a sawzall, but that would mess the tank up, i have a friend with a torch (but i really dont have the balls to attempt that). I was thinking about just getting a nice large walbro fuel pump and putting it outside the fuel tank. any advice would be extremly helpful, because i am at a loss has to why someone would weld a gas tank on.
Jon H.
I know this sounds like a horrible thread, but i have a genuine problem here. My fuel pump went out two days ago (yippie!) so i am removing the fuel tank shield and what do ya know? whoever had the fuel tank out last sheared off all the bolts that hold the tank on and then proceeded to WELD, yes weld, the tank back on to the mounting points. All i want to know is how would someone go about removing the tank without damaging it or having a nice explosion in their garage? i have a sawzall, but that would mess the tank up, i have a friend with a torch (but i really dont have the balls to attempt that). I was thinking about just getting a nice large walbro fuel pump and putting it outside the fuel tank. any advice would be extremly helpful, because i am at a loss has to why someone would weld a gas tank on.
Jon H.
01-07-2011, 04:28 PM
#2
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Spot weld drill, maybe? Have any pics of how it was welded in place? That's crazy!
Edit: What are you dropping the tank for? In all honesty, I personally think it's better to remove the bed. That way you can repaint the frame and really inspect it for problems. Pulling the bed is easy, too, providing that the bed bolts aren't on their last legs. You can lift it off with just two average size people.
Edit: What are you dropping the tank for? In all honesty, I personally think it's better to remove the bed. That way you can repaint the frame and really inspect it for problems. Pulling the bed is easy, too, providing that the bed bolts aren't on their last legs. You can lift it off with just two average size people.
Last edited by shaeff; 01-07-2011 at 04:30 PM.
01-07-2011, 04:50 PM
#4
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Drain the gas, fill the tank back up with water, to prevent a bomb from going off 
Grind the welds and drop the tank, drain the tank, install the new pump. refill. Thats what I would do.
Grind the welds and drop the tank, drain the tank, install the new pump. refill. Thats what I would do.
01-07-2011, 05:16 PM
#5
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Spot weld drill, maybe? Have any pics of how it was welded in place? That's crazy!
Edit: What are you dropping the tank for? In all honesty, I personally think it's better to remove the bed. That way you can repaint the frame and really inspect it for problems. Pulling the bed is easy, too, providing that the bed bolts aren't on their last legs. You can lift it off with just two average size people.
Edit: What are you dropping the tank for? In all honesty, I personally think it's better to remove the bed. That way you can repaint the frame and really inspect it for problems. Pulling the bed is easy, too, providing that the bed bolts aren't on their last legs. You can lift it off with just two average size people.
but yea how about bsome pics of the welds .. just drill them or grind them ..
filling it with water would be playing it super safe , but not really sure you need to do that .
01-07-2011, 05:39 PM
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01-07-2011, 05:49 PM
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01-07-2011, 05:59 PM
#10
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Sorry, Im retarded. Yes, there is one on runners.
So...what he should do, is find a 4runner body, swap it over then remove the bad pump through the access panel. Problem solved.
EDIT: Just re-read through the thread, I assumed he had a truck...I hope he does have a 4runner. Would make this much easier. Wouldant have to do the body swap. Haha.
So...what he should do, is find a 4runner body, swap it over then remove the bad pump through the access panel. Problem solved.
EDIT: Just re-read through the thread, I assumed he had a truck...I hope he does have a 4runner. Would make this much easier. Wouldant have to do the body swap. Haha.
Last edited by rattlewagon; 01-07-2011 at 06:03 PM.
01-07-2011, 06:52 PM
#12
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yea, im not so bright!
01-07-2011, 06:58 PM
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01-07-2011, 10:40 PM
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Ha!
Ya I found the access plate, and like noted above, way to small and not in the correct position. I am not use to dropping the tank for pump replacements ( I am an old school BMW/ Volkswagen guy, this is my first Japanese vehicle ever!) I would post some pictures if I had a camera. I think I will try the drill option first, if that fails I'll just wing it and grab the Milwaukee and saw it out. Thanks for helping out a noob guys (at least a Toyota noob, those old German cars are cranky maintenance whores)
Jon H.
Ya I found the access plate, and like noted above, way to small and not in the correct position. I am not use to dropping the tank for pump replacements ( I am an old school BMW/ Volkswagen guy, this is my first Japanese vehicle ever!) I would post some pictures if I had a camera. I think I will try the drill option first, if that fails I'll just wing it and grab the Milwaukee and saw it out. Thanks for helping out a noob guys (at least a Toyota noob, those old German cars are cranky maintenance whores)
Jon H.
Last edited by dropzone; 01-07-2011 at 11:11 PM. Reason: bypassin the censor
01-07-2011, 10:45 PM
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And there are 4 welds, the two in the rear of the tank are about 2" long and the front ones he just made fat tack spots where the bolts go. I bet this guy could burn a pot of water
01-08-2011, 12:57 AM
#17
It would be great to see pictures.
It takes all kinds me I would cut a hole in the floor big enough to get the sucker out then replace it with a access plate for the future.
Do yourself a favor go to Harbor Freight buy one of the cheap grinders and some cut off zip discs make the job much easier then a saws all
It takes all kinds me I would cut a hole in the floor big enough to get the sucker out then replace it with a access plate for the future.
Do yourself a favor go to Harbor Freight buy one of the cheap grinders and some cut off zip discs make the job much easier then a saws all
01-08-2011, 11:56 AM
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Alright, so i started work on it around 9am (neighbors were thrilled to hear my compressor fire up 
) instead of cutting the tank off i just buzzed a hole underneath the seat big enough to get the fuel pump out. removed the old pump and tried to test it, ran 12v power directly to it, it actually just got really hot! DANGEROUS! slapped the new one in there, put the assembly back in the tank, siliconed the daylights out of the hole i made in the floor and bam! i have a running runner again! yay thanks for the tips guys. I do not know why toyota did not put a panel there in the first place, would be so much easier to replace the pump.
) instead of cutting the tank off i just buzzed a hole underneath the seat big enough to get the fuel pump out. removed the old pump and tried to test it, ran 12v power directly to it, it actually just got really hot! DANGEROUS! slapped the new one in there, put the assembly back in the tank, siliconed the daylights out of the hole i made in the floor and bam! i have a running runner again! yay thanks for the tips guys. I do not know why toyota did not put a panel there in the first place, would be so much easier to replace the pump.
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