Excellent commentary Aaron. I am glad you are back up and running.
Rascal
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of A. S.
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 9:54 AM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: DML: Update: Fuel Pump Replacement
For those of you who have been following my questions on replacing the
fuel pump, here's the latest update. I was able to replace the fuel pump
over the weekend with no problem. Here are some answers to the questions I
had and other details that may be helpful to anyone else who attempts this
in the future.
First off, there is the debate of dropping the tank vs. jacking up the bed
vs. completely removing the bed. Having first hand experience now I can say
that the easiest way is to remove the bed completely. So what's involved
with removing the bed.how many bolts??? On my 95, there were 8 bolts.
After removing the 8 bolts, the lights need to be unplugged and the spare
tire crank tube thing needs to be removed. Also, the gas filler neck needs
to be disconnected. All of this is extremely simple and takes very little
time. After all of this is removed/disconnected, the bed will lift right
off. Three people can lift it off pretty easily, but the more the better.
Once the bed is off, replacing the pump itself is a snap. The lock ring
on the pump can be removed with a flat screwdriver and a few bumps with the
palm of your hand. You can then remove the gas line/hoses and electrical
connector and the pump is ready to lift out. Once I got the pump out and I
siphoned all the gas out and made sure to wipe the tank clean. The hole in
the gas tank is pretty big, so unless you have really big arms, you can get
in there to wipe it out. I found mine to be extremely clean after 138,000
miles.
Pump installation is the opposite of removal. The pump comes with a new
gasket. The only thing you might need is a couple of hose clamps. In my
case, mine were in excellent shape and in no need of replacing.
Bed installation is the opposite of removal. It helps to have one person
under the truck and one person standing when lining up the holes for the
bolts. Otherwise you would be constantly getting up and down. Installation
of the bed was just as quick as removal.
Overall the job was simple. I would rate it as a job that you could
accomplish after you got home from work one evening and be ready to go the
next morning. That is, you could take 3 hours to complete the job and you
wouldn't be rushing yourself.
One other thing to note that I don't ever think was clearly answered is
the question of whether or not the sending unit was part of the fuel pump
assembly. I can definitely say that it is a part of the assembly.
Total cost for the job: about $158 for the pump assembly from Napa (that's
with a AAA discount). Sure beats the $450 shop quote. I've got some basic
pictures if anyone is interested in the future. I'll try to put them online
if I get a chance.
The new fuel pump fixed my problems. My gas gauge finally works after
90,000+ miles of not working and the truck starts right up. No more turning
the key on/off twice and having the truck crank forever before starting.
Thanks to all those who answered questions last week.
--Aaron-
95 DSRC 4x4 V6
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