J-Cat, I was thinking about cutting a hole just as you suggested, however, I figured it would be my luck to cut through the f'n tank, then I really would be screwed, spending the day at a junk yard looking for a replacement.
After I installed the fuel pump a few days later the problem returned; 2 - 3 cranks to get the engine started. Surprising, it cranks over easily in the morning. I am now wondering if my fuel filter is part the problem, or maybe a fuel vacuum line had a hole in it which I did not see when I removed the tank?
Whatever, maybe the time has come to replace the 01 Bravada for a 11 Subaru Outback? I hate to do that because I like the size of the Bravada in contrast to the new SUV's that are just to darn big and the Subaru was the only small SUV that has the power to two my Kawi Jet Ski's to the River. Decisions, decisions.
That said, the gas gauge no longer acts like a windshield wiper and it accurately reflects the amount of gas in the tank.