getting to the gas tanks? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

baller5040 · 07-20-2010, 12:18 PM

I have search many of the threads here and i'm pretty new to the whole mechanics things but would like to get my truck running and in good shape. I have a 1982 chevy short bed and i have the two tanks as many of you already knew that. I had one tank that read past full on the gas gauge but the other one worked fine until the other day and now it has gone the same route of the other tank. I was looking at both the tanks to find out if maybe the ground went out on them and to replace them. But the problem that i am running into right now is that I have no idea how to go about getting to those grounds. I was thinking about taking the tanks off all the way then I looked at the and looks like a hassle. So I was curious if anyone would know of a better way of getting to those sender units to replace those ground wires.

SS Delux · 07-20-2010, 12:26 PM

the only other way at getting at them without dropping the tanks is to get a case of beer, call some friends up and take the box off.

baller5040 · 07-20-2010, 12:46 PM

Ya I thought of that but what a pain that would be. So i'm guessing my only option is to go at it to drop them down to get to those ground wires?

RandyP · 07-20-2010, 12:48 PM

It is easier to take the bed off. Dropping the tank(s) is a major PITA compared to setting the bed off.

A good engine hoist and some 2x4's and you can do it real easy by yourself. Or a lift or an A frame and some chain and a hoist.

glock35ipsc · 07-20-2010, 01:14 PM

I'll just repeat what they said. It is MUCH easier, and faster, to take the bed off to get to the sending unit wires. Then, if you do need to pull the tanks, it will be much easier still to unhook the hoses and wires with the bed off, and then pull the tanks. On a short bed, if you need to pull the sending units out, you will need to drop the tanks anyhow, and it will far easier to do that with the bed gone.

Rogue_Sentinel · 07-20-2010, 01:27 PM

take the bed off , you have two gas tank. you can fix both at the same time, the first time.

baller5040 · 07-20-2010, 01:30 PM

taking the bed off do i have to take all the wiring for the tail lights and so on out too?

glock35ipsc · 07-20-2010, 01:34 PM

No, the harness unplugs in the rear. Somewhere above the bumper, between the drivers side frame rail and the bed.

MONTEZ · 07-20-2010, 01:39 PM

I say shoot the rabbit, shoot the duck. Your bed bolts may be just as much of a pain as dropping the tanks. If you drop the tanks by unbolting the strap bracket from the frame it is 100 times easier than unwrapping the strap from the tank. I think it's four bolts per tank and it comes right out. Put it back the same way with the use of a jack to help line your holes up and go to town. If you unwarp the strap then yes it will be a major PITA.

baclay9 · 07-20-2010, 03:58 PM

I am on the "take off the bed" wagon. Sooo much easier.

6772fan · 07-20-2010, 10:21 PM

Another vote for taking the bed off. I've done it both ways and believe me, it's much easier removing the bed.

MONTEZ · 07-20-2010, 11:12 PM

I guess I'm just used to beds taking 2-3 hours to get off. I can drop both tanks in 30 min and have em back on in about 45.....

SS Delux · 07-21-2010, 01:36 AM

If you plan on taking either off, make sure to use a quality penitrating oil to avoid snapping bolts. Once you have snapped a bolt your whole day goes to hell.

cableguy0 · 07-21-2010, 01:46 AM

Unbolting the brackets from the frame and just dropping the whole deal is far easier than pulling the bed. An almost empty tank weighs a few pounds. A bed weighs a few hundred pounds. Take the filler neck hose off the tank and disconnect the fuel lines after the tank is loose.

Davidmichael · 07-21-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy0

Unbolting the brackets from the frame and just dropping the whole deal is far easier than pulling the bed. An almost empty tank weighs a few pounds. A bed weighs a few hundred pounds. Take the filler neck hose off the tank and disconnect the fuel lines after the tank is loose.

I say do this. I just dropped a tank in my 81. I unbolted the whole assembly, and let me tell you it was a breeze. I think I had 4 bolts on the back, and 2 on the front. Now you will have to get a jack and make sure the tank does not come crashing down and rip the hose/wires from the sending unit. But by far the easiest way I have found as of yet.

as for the filler neck, mine had 2 screws holding it on behind the door and I just unscrewed them and took the entire hose and cap with the tank.

iroc12valve · 07-25-2010, 02:06 AM

I'm on the pull the bed train, but i've never done a short box so my .02 is really .005

07-20-2010, 12:18 PM	#1
baller5040 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 67	getting to the gas tanks? I have search many of the threads here and i'm pretty new to the whole mechanics things but would like to get my truck running and in good shape. I have a 1982 chevy short bed and i have the two tanks as many of you already knew that. I had one tank that read past full on the gas gauge but the other one worked fine until the other day and now it has gone the same route of the other tank. I was looking at both the tanks to find out if maybe the ground went out on them and to replace them. But the problem that i am running into right now is that I have no idea how to go about getting to those grounds. I was thinking about taking the tanks off all the way then I looked at the and looks like a hassle. So I was curious if anyone would know of a better way of getting to those sender units to replace those ground wires.

07-20-2010, 12:26 PM	#2
SS Delux Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: windsor Posts: 290	Re: getting to the gas tanks? the only other way at getting at them without dropping the tanks is to get a case of beer, call some friends up and take the box off.

07-20-2010, 12:46 PM	#3
baller5040 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 67	Re: getting to the gas tanks? Ya I thought of that but what a pain that would be. So i'm guessing my only option is to go at it to drop them down to get to those ground wires?

07-20-2010, 12:48 PM	#4
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: getting to the gas tanks? It is easier to take the bed off. Dropping the tank(s) is a major PITA compared to setting the bed off. A good engine hoist and some 2x4's and you can do it real easy by yourself. Or a lift or an A frame and some chain and a hoist.

07-20-2010, 01:14 PM	#5
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: getting to the gas tanks? I'll just repeat what they said. It is MUCH easier, and faster, to take the bed off to get to the sending unit wires. Then, if you do need to pull the tanks, it will be much easier still to unhook the hoses and wires with the bed off, and then pull the tanks. On a short bed, if you need to pull the sending units out, you will need to drop the tanks anyhow, and it will far easier to do that with the bed gone. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

07-20-2010, 01:27 PM	#6
Rogue_Sentinel Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: nc, mount airy Posts: 376	Re: getting to the gas tanks? take the bed off , you have two gas tank. you can fix both at the same time, the first time. __________________ "Myths and legends die hard in America. We love them for the extra dimension they provide, the illusion of near-infinite possibility to erase the narrow confines of most men's reality. Weird heroes and mould-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of 'the rat race' is not yet final." Hunter S THompson

07-20-2010, 01:30 PM	#7
baller5040 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 67	Re: getting to the gas tanks? taking the bed off do i have to take all the wiring for the tail lights and so on out too?

07-20-2010, 01:34 PM	#8
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: getting to the gas tanks? No, the harness unplugs in the rear. Somewhere above the bumper, between the drivers side frame rail and the bed. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE Last edited by glock35ipsc; 07-20-2010 at 01:35 PM.

07-20-2010, 01:39 PM	#9
MONTEZ Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nacogdoches,Texas Posts: 330	Re: getting to the gas tanks? I say shoot the rabbit, shoot the duck. Your bed bolts may be just as much of a pain as dropping the tanks. If you drop the tanks by unbolting the strap bracket from the frame it is 100 times easier than unwrapping the strap from the tank. I think it's four bolts per tank and it comes right out. Put it back the same way with the use of a jack to help line your holes up and go to town. If you unwarp the strap then yes it will be a major PITA. __________________ Smoke Tires, not Drugs Last edited by MONTEZ; 07-20-2010 at 01:41 PM.

07-20-2010, 03:58 PM	#10
baclay9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 1,344	Re: getting to the gas tanks? I am on the "take off the bed" wagon. Sooo much easier.

07-20-2010, 10:21 PM	#11
6772fan Active Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: East Texas Posts: 380	Re: getting to the gas tanks? Another vote for taking the bed off. I've done it both ways and believe me, it's much easier removing the bed. __________________ Lane 1979 Chevy SWB- (Second owner- Father in Law was first) 1979 Chevy Silverado SWB-Red/Red

07-20-2010, 11:12 PM	#12
MONTEZ Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nacogdoches,Texas Posts: 330	Re: getting to the gas tanks? I guess I'm just used to beds taking 2-3 hours to get off. I can drop both tanks in 30 min and have em back on in about 45..... __________________ Smoke Tires, not Drugs

07-21-2010, 01:36 AM	#13
SS Delux Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: windsor Posts: 290	Re: getting to the gas tanks? If you plan on taking either off, make sure to use a quality penitrating oil to avoid snapping bolts. Once you have snapped a bolt your whole day goes to hell.

07-21-2010, 01:46 AM	#14
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: getting to the gas tanks? Unbolting the brackets from the frame and just dropping the whole deal is far easier than pulling the bed. An almost empty tank weighs a few pounds. A bed weighs a few hundred pounds. Take the filler neck hose off the tank and disconnect the fuel lines after the tank is loose. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

07-25-2010, 02:06 AM	#16
iroc12valve Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: niagara, ontario Posts: 109	Re: getting to the gas tanks? I'm on the pull the bed train, but i've never done a short box so my .02 is really .005 __________________ 1991 V3500 350TBI/4l80/205 D60/14bff - Crew long 1987 IrocZ-28 525 horse/567 Lb Tq 383 1976 K30 on 39.5s One wheel drive thanks to a np203 and some K5's lol



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