Whats the best way to change fuel pump on my 98 crew cab 3500 Dually?

[flash12]

Guys, whats the best way to change the fuel pump on my 98 crew cab 3500 dually? Drop the tank or pull the bed off? Also do you guys have any tips or tricks that will help speed up the process for me?

Thanks!

[777stickman]

The only tip I have is to get an AC-Delco pump that's matched to your VIN.

Over the years I've been here, there's been lots of posts about changing the pump in a pickup. Seems the bed removal takes precedence over the tank drop. So it's kinda up to you.

Make sure you brush and vacuum the area around the pump before you take it out. Lube the o-ring on the new pump and in the o-ring tank area. Check the electrical connectors and the ground area at the pump for good contacts.

[2500HD4x4]

I've dropped the tank once and pulled beds off 4 times now (my truck and others). The bed is much easier, even though you have a dually, I would pull the bed off.

8 bolts from the frame to the bed, fuel filler neck & ground strap, rear light wiring harnesses and ground strap, and that's it I think. After doing this several times, I could pull the bed off within 30 minutes. As the previous post mentioned, take your time with the fuel pump itself, clean around everything before pulling the old one out, check the ground connection, and when re-installing the new pump, make sure to be careful with the float. When installing, seems to work best for me when dropping the float all the way (at a 90 degree angle to the rest of the assembly), fishing that through the hole in the tank, and then dropping the rest of the unit in. Also, make sure the new o-ring gets seated well. I had one occurence when it became pinched and fuel leaked out the top of the tank when filling up.

As far as hoisting the bed off after everything is unbolted (I have an 8' bed), I've done it with straps and an overhead hoist (very easy), picked it off with 2 guys (very hard), 3 guys (moderate strain), and 4 guys (quite easy). Remove your tailgate and use a lift, or 4 guys for the dually. Good luck.

[flash12]

I ended up taking everyone's advice and went with the AC Delco pump. I got lucky and found a brand new one in the box on Ebay. An AC DELCO MU145 with the GFT stamped on the top to match my truck. It was $79.99 plus shipping. Cost me $103 shipped in. The dealer wanted over $400 for it

[ukrkoz]

how many people you need to remove truck bed? say, strong guys?

[flash12]

We had five guys when we pulled the bed off my longbed dually. I think you could get by with 3-4 on a shortbed without duals.

[CrazyHorst]

Strangely enough, if you have a forklift handy...I've found this is an awesome tool for dropping a tank.

You don't need the heavy lifting power but just the steady forks to hold the tank with whatever amount of fill is in there. Use wooden blocking (2x4s, 4x4s, etc) if bodywork gets in the way. Your hands are free to remove the strap bolts, undo fuel line and electrical connections, etc.

Then 'inch' the tank back up when done to reconnect the straps.

[ChevyBobby]

Originally Posted by flash12

I ended up taking everyone's advice and went with the AC Delco pump. I got lucky and found a brand new one in the box on Ebay. An AC DELCO MU145 with the GFT stamped on the top to match my truck. It was $79.99 plus shipping. Cost me $103 shipped in. The dealer wanted over $400 for it

Does anyone know what the GFT code means? Like psi or maybe pin oouts?

Mine ins GFT also.

I personally and cutting a door to get to the pump. I have a Utility Topper and I don't feel like dropping the tank. So I am making a reinforced door to access it.

[acewelderman]

Dont forget ,you will need the special line disconect tool for GM vehicles.
Good luck!