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04-03-2014, 11:46 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Suburban fuel pump access hatch
Anybody ever cut an access hatch in the floor of their Burb to get to the fuel pump? Seems like it would be better than trying to drop my 3/4 full tank by myself. I'd like to know the exact spot I'd need to cut and depth of the blade or wheel needed as not to chop up any lines. I would prime and treat the edges to prevent rust, and use weather striping and sheet metal to fashion a removable cover to put back over it. I'm hoping it's right under the third row...
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04-04-2014, 12:11 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tacoma Washington
Posts: 890
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
What could possibly go wrong, lol! I would just siphon the gas and drop the tank. It'll be quicker and you won't have a potential mushroom cloud. If you're deadest on cutting an access hole, do it after you drop the tank and make sure it's air/water tight.
Jeff
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I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time. 72 K10 396 75 Cj5 MPI 350 Chev 67 Chevelle 396, 4 speed 74 FXE 08 Tahoe |
04-04-2014, 12:59 AM | #3 |
In the Forgotten far North.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 2,627
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
I'm going to be doing this to my burb in the next couple of months. I'm going to use a section of floor from a donor burb to make the access plate with a keyed latch on it and and and and.....I'll post a how to/build on how i' do it when I do it. By the end of May it'll be cut & covered.
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1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade |
04-04-2014, 07:43 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
May is to far away for me, i'm certain I'll have it replaced by then.
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04-05-2014, 12:31 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
Good one, but the thought of finding a container to store this gas has me worried. I also don't want to bother the tank straps since they're a bit rusted. Somebody has done this before, I know. It can't just be the newer body guys...
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04-05-2014, 12:58 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 335
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
Last year when I was Suburban shopping, I looked at a number of 87-91's that the seller actually bragged about the access hole in the rear. All were hidden by carpeting, and only one looked like it had been done with much craftsmanship.
The best one appeared to have been created by drilling rather large holes in each corner, which I now suspect was to accommodate a reciprocating saw for the remainder of the cuts. It looked good, and would minimize the danger of sparks igniting the tank and ruining your day. Unfortunately, I don't have any dimensions for you to help site the hole. The ones I looked at that didn't look well done clearly had trouble finding the correct starting point. Is there any access at all to the top of the tank to slide a ruler in to feel around for the sending unit?
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1980 K10 Suburban Silverado, original 350 w/Qjet swapped to 406sb, TH350C swapped to TH400/205 |
04-05-2014, 01:01 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
I've got a small but if room, but with these hands, it's nearly impossible to get in there to measure. I'm afraid of hitting lines also...
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04-06-2014, 06:58 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
Nobody else?
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04-10-2014, 10:35 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Posts: 368
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
I've done it, made a piece to cover the hole that matched the contour of
Floor. Installed with rivets. Would look factory if you could see it. I drilled a hole and cut with aviation snips it was a brutal job. Couldn't drop the tank so it worked. |
04-10-2014, 10:58 AM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
Any measurements you want to share? Depth of cut, width, length, etc?
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04-12-2014, 08:29 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Posts: 368
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
So I went and measured for you, my burb is a 89 barn door model. Just for refrence.
Here are the measurements. From the edge of the spare tire well ( drivers side rear ) to the edge of the locking ring for the tank sending unit is 21 1/2 inches. From the carpeted side pannel ( passenger side ) to the edge of the lock ring is 31 inches. From the end of the carpet(at the rear doors) where it meets the aluminium strip to the lock ring is 15 1/4 inches. the lock ring is aproxamately 5 inches across. When I cut mine I drilled holes at the four corners and used snips to connect the dots. It was brutal! Be careful and don't make sparks! I took all of the measurements with no carpet on the floor. |
04-14-2014, 02:57 PM | #13 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
Quote:
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04-14-2014, 08:34 PM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Posts: 368
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
Lol, I never had the option of dropping the tank. Glad it worked out for you.
Keith |
04-14-2014, 08:45 PM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 22
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Re: Suburban fuel pump access hatch
I dropped it before I saw your post/pm, so it was already down, lol.
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