Changing gas tanks for new ones: Any helpful hints?

[lolife99]

I recently purchased an '86 short fleetside truck. I guess I got a little sentimental because it's the exact twin to one I bought new in 1986. Anyway this thing need some work! Both gas tanks are leaking. Both frame supports are rusted away to nothing. I think the plastic tank covers were the only thing holding them on the truck. Long story short. Does anyone have any tips on making the swap to new ones any easier. I've never done this before and I'm going to have to do it again on my crew cab. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, lolife99.

[blink32]

The emptier the better when starting off. I like to use two jacks, one at either end. Support them, unbolt the mounts and ground line, lower it a bit, remove the lines and electrical connection, then drop all the way down and pull out.

Nothing to it.

[lolife99]

Can it be done with the bed on? I had planned on pulling the bed.

[Srubydo1986]

you can do it with bed on, but if you wanted to you could plus it give u a chance to clean ever thing up on that back half of the truck with some good old power washing and some paint purhaps.

[blink32]

I've never taken the bed off to drop gas tanks. Oh, don't forget to loose up the filler necks in the bed side also.

[Roper]

You might as well take the box off. Example un bolt it and block it up higher so you have room to work. Chances are your rubber fuel lines going to the sending unit are rotted so you might as well replace them as well while you have everything apart.
Also if your tank straps are rusted then your frame supports are probable in bad shape as well. Cheaper and easier to just get the complete thing from a junkyard. I bought new straps and rebuilt mine but I would never go that route again.
Also the GM anti sqeak kit that I bought just looks like regular tar paper to me.
Also make sure that your float onthe sending unit clears the baffels in your new tank. Mine didnt. I had to bend the float rod to make it work.
Also you might as well plan on painting everything or its just going to rust out again.
I dont know how anybody could hook up those wires on the sending unit with the box on. If you can do it you have smaller arms than me.

[lolife99]

Thanks for all the replies. It looks like the bed will be coming off! I guess while the bed is off I might as well do the flip kit, new shocks,... I think this is going to get expensive. Also where do I get the tanks?