Guess I've got to replace the sending unit in my fuel tank. My gas guage jumps all over.....tried cleaning the ground wire that connects right behind the cab, but that didn't cure my problem.

Question is: What's easier......dropping the tank, or removing the bed to get to the sending unit?

I've heard of both, but looking for some suggestions.......or, if there's any other fixes other than the sending unit.........

Appreciate any advice....thanks

Well I've heard arguments on both I guess my biggest concern with removing the box is getting to line up just right afterwards.....Sorry to hear about your send unit.

I have done it both ways ,, if you have a hoist available use it to lift bed,,if doing it on jack stands drop the tank,,it's not so bad on the ground..good luck

if you have help removing the box is better but if it is just you then drop the tank

if you have three friends to help, removing the bed is the way to go. The problem with the fuel tank is that all the connections are on the top and the hoses are short...so you don't have much room to play with from the bottom.

I agree with removing the box. Much easier to access the tank. Just measure several times to be sure you put it back in place when re-installing it.

the hoses arent that short..you just have to disconnect the connectors that hold the hoses to the frame. i got my gas tank all the way out from under the truck.

I need to do the samething.. Where did you get the replacement sending unit?

i got mine from www.GMpartsdirect.com they are half off of dealer cost.

i got mine from www.GMpartsdirect.com they are half off of dealer cost.

Thanks

anytime man. If you have any other questions just ask..feel free to PM me if you have to.

the tank is very easy to drop.. you just have to disconect the hoses at the junction in frt of the metal shield at the frt part of the tank and take the 3 bolts out of the filler neck tube were it attactches so you can get some clearance to remove the filler neck hose. its only held in by 2 bolts on the straps.. imo alot easier than removing the bed and having to measure and align it back up. takes less than an hr

the tank is very easy to drop.. you just have to disconect the hoses at the junction in frt of the metal shield at the frt part of the tank and take the 3 bolts out of the filler neck tube were it attactches so you can get some clearance to remove the filler neck hose. its only held in by 2 bolts on the straps.. imo alot easier than removing the bed and having to measure and align it back up. takes less than an hr


I am sure it is easy to drop the tank.. but getting the tank back up is a pain.. I had to drop a tank out of a jeep wrangler.. what fun.. took us about 20 mins to drop the tank.. about 4 hours to get the tank back in.. those metal straps would not line up right..

mine lined up fine..

line up is a snap. i just lifted mine on top of my floor jack and jacked it right in.. i didn't even drain the gas had a 1/4 tank in it

I did mine at about 65,000 miles. I would definately take the bed off. Took three of us to walk the bed out of the garage, and you can sit on a stool to do the rest of the work. Total time with putting the bed back on was about 1 1/2 hours and a few beers. Avoid laying on your back when you can. Just my .02.

I dropped the tank. I found it easier to remove the drive shaft first, this gives you all kinds of room to manovor your tank around. By the way I have a spare sending unit for a 2001 silverado, the motor is a 6.0

well im replacing my fuel pressure regulator today cuz it wont run at all.i then dismantled the regulator and put it back in.now the truck will run, just really bad, which leads me to believe its only the regulator.unfortunately, i have also had the "guage jump" since i got the truck like so many others.and even tho i replaced my filter, the pump has always whined.advance says a sending unit is $350 so i dont wanna do that.but anyway,to get to the point.im doin this in my driveway pretty much alone, so i never really entertained the thought of pullin the bed.if i gotta do it im droppin the tank.ive taken many out before and its not so bad doin it again.

If the fuel pump runs (as yours obviously does), disconnect the fuel lines and short the f/pump relay to pump the gas out with it - this will make it a snap to drop and reinstall.

If you decide to drop the tank.. keep in mind that gas is 6 lbs/gal... or in my 34 gal tank.. 204 lbs full!

well i dont think its runnin anymore :swear: now im just gonna have to replace it.i dont hear it cycle on anymore and the truck wont even run.im not happy

Too bad you don't have more time. Ebay has some GREAT prices on the pumps with sending units.

I've done one or two. Dropping the tank takes about 20 minutes if you're not slacking. I doubt that bed removeal would be anywhere near that fast.

Also, pumps can be had for under $100. A sending unit can be repaired instead of replaced. Usually, it's only the bifurcated wipers that lose tension, and/or the pivot wears and allows some play and poor contact.

http://72.19.213.157/files/LevelSensor05.jpg

Another thing to check closely is the connector in the top of the tank. They frequently fail from overcurrent/heating.

http://72.19.213.157/files/PumpConnector.jpg

You can get a replacement harness for about twelve bucks.

where can i get a pump for $100?i was actually just thinkin about a holley aftermarket one myself

I know this might not apply, but July 3rd I replaced the fuel pump in my 97. Unbolted the bed, lifted it up and moved it (with the help of several friends) changed the pump, lowered the bed and all was well in about an hour.

Total cost = $106.50 for the new pump