I have a 1999 Grand Cherokee 4.0 and just lately I've noticed a gas smell and some gas residue on the bottom of the steel fuel tank shield. It is a plastic tank under the shield, so I probably can eliminate a "rust thru" problem on the tank. Are there any "common" fitting, gasket, or hose failures on the top side of the tank? I appreciate any suggestions......

Check for a hose under the fill opening. They can come loose at the hose clamp on each end. Use a flash light to look at the connections for the fuel lines on top of the tank. Try this before pulling the tank.

Thanks for the reply! I looked underneath today and found what looks like fuel has been running down the plastic tank from the fuel pump area. The leak only happens while it is running. When it is parked the fuel dries up. So I am thinking it must be in the output line from the fuel pump. Does this make sense? I'll have to drop the tank to find out more.

I think if you put a floor jack under the gas tank and just lower it enough to repair the leak you will be in good shape. Try to have the tank about empty before you do this as gas weighs about 8lbs. per gallon.

Had to drop the complete tank today. What a PITA !!!! Had to remove the hitch and bumper cover, broke 2 hitch bolts. Found the fuel lines at the fuel pump were rusted, corroded and leaking. Are the fuel lines from the fuel pump to the filter a dealer only part?

You either have to make them use steel brake line tubing from a parts store or use copper tubing. You can purchase new from the dealer I think. Remember any rubber tubing has to be high pressure. I have purchased 100psi fuel tubing from one of ebays suppliers. It had a hard plastic tube inside the hose.
Don't use normal hose buy hose rated to your fuel pumps pressure.
I would suggest using a flaring tool to make the connectors but copper crimp connectors will work if you don't get a frozen fuel line.
At rubber fuel line connections use 2 clamps and put a slight flare on the end so it doesn't pull off.
The high pressure hose is about $1.00 a foot. I would suggest a tubing bender and buy two sections of 25 foot of copper tubing. Probably cheaper at Lowes or Home Depot.