This is my first post, so I thought I'd contribute with meaningful content
This is a really great idea:
So most suburbans (GMC/Cheverolet) have a problem with the fuel pump. It's speculative as to what exactly causes the fuel pumps to go bad so quickly, although after reading the message boards, I've come accross heat/length of wire/bad design problems.
My fuel pump went out at 108k miles (tonight). My neighbor is a service manager at a local dealership, who happenned to know a master tech who works for Chevy. The Master Tech came out to my house. With him, he had an aftermarket fuel pump (worth $350), which he sold me for $50.
Rather than drop the gas tank to get the the fuel pump, we came up with an ingenious (some might call it ridiculous) solution. We lifted the carpet in the back of the burb. Then we carefully drilled a pilot hole right above the fuel pump. We then cut a square above the fuel pump.
We accomplished this using a 4 inch disc/ryobi saw. This was able to cut through the 2-3 layers of sheet metal, without touching the lines.
We then peeled back the sheet metal, and to our surprise, an exact guestimate of the location of the fuel pump. We then disconnected the high pressure lines, and removed the fuel pump from the tank. Replaced the fuel pump, and popped the assembly back in. Reattached the lines. Before we buttoned up, we started the truck. BINGO.
To clean things up:
Fold back the steel flap, so it is flush with the floor. Cut a piece of sheet metal (larger than the square you first cut), to go over the flap. We then used tape under the sheet metal, and screwed the sheet metal into the steel body. It mounted pretty flush. For extra pre-caution, we need to silicone the surroundings of the sheet metal, such that we have no air leaks. Then fold the carpet back down over the sheet metal. YOU CAN'T Tell. Yes it sounds hokey, however it works extremely well. Now whenever I have a fuel pump go out, I can easily remove the cover, and get to the fuel pump in about 5 minutes.
If done right, you really aren't going to hurt anything. You have to be willing to say to yourself, "I have an older car, It's mine, I'm not selling it, etc".
The total process took about 2.5 hours, as oppossed to 4-5 hours it may take, if you choose to drop the tank.
Also, It cost me only 200 bux out of pocket rather than 700. Food for thought.
Next 40,000 miles it will only cost me the cost of the fuel pump
Grin.