Hello,
I am attempting to replace the fuel filter on the said 4Runner, but the housing and the bracket that hold the old fuel filter in looks to have never been replaced (rust ALL OVER) The housing is brittle so I took that off with some pliers, but the clamp that is right up against the filter is too tight...and the bolts holding it on are rusted and impossible to turn (PB blasted them for days)...I seem to have made a small puncture in the filter now,,,not dripping yet, but a little came out.

The new parts are coming in tomorrow and I want to install but does anyone have any advice on how to safely remove the rest of this old housing with out it turning hazardous?

Any and all constructive advice is much appreciated!

 

If you get OEM or similar filter, they will come with housing shield and attachment bolt. The housing should come off with filter, and you likely need to use 6 point sockets/wrench and/or drop the crossmember (I think the filter is in same spot as earlier models?)
Safety here means depressurizing system and draining tank. Plus no torch or grinder, as there is still gas in lines, etc.
Re actual advice, see the following 2 links:
1)https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...trator-139957/
2)https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...nsight-131902/

 

Yeah just did my 93.
Loosened the lines then
Unbolted it from the frame. one bolt at 12 and another at 6.
Wreslte that female dog out of there,
and then the bolt you are going after will loosen (now on a bench and all your bfh's handy) the filter slides out and in my case i had just a filter so i swapped it and tightened it back in the "cradle". snug or it will collapse the filter.

Almost did it the same way you are until i read the service manual.

And as a heads up the only way i could get it back in was front line then back line, then bolt it back to the frame.

Mine looked factory and completely clean and rust free and sucked to get out and worse to line up and put in.

Hate to be wordy but the put back in process was bad it was after the third or forth try that i finally got it.

:forgot leave the cap on and disconnect the neg cable. it will leak but like 3oz's:

 

i just did my 91 4runner last weekend, ya i had to drop crossmember because front fuel line was so rusted that i actually twisted the steel line. i was able to cut off about 1 inch of the line and reuse the same fitting, ya it was a headache.