i know that on the single cabs you can take the bed off to get to the fuel pump and on the super crews you can't, my question is on the extended cab xlt models specifically a 2001 5.4 4wd model can I take the bed off to access the fuel pump or will I have to drop the tank?

 

On the extended cab the gas tank is under the bed. It's how the mechanic changed mine. Pulled the bed off and replaced the tank, pump, and all.

 

You can remove the bed to replace the fuel pump. If you live in the rust belt It may be a pain though. I live in Fl. and it was a piece of cake.

 

.... or if you have a spray in bed liner - like I have.

 

Just curious. Is taking off bed/putting it back on one man job?

 

Uhh... no, LOL.

I would go with probably with 3 on an F150, unless you have a hoist. It took 2 for my Ranger bed, which weighs much less and is much smaller than the F150 bed. It's not so much heavy as it is awkward though....

 

 

^^^^ That is exactly what I did on my Ranger. I had a couple 2 X 4's sitting on the rear bumper to keep it level, as I recall. Not sure if that is necessary on the F150.

 

I did mine with just my son and I. We just set it on the tires and bumper.

 

I changed mine out a couple years ago. Debated removing the bed as seen in a lot of internet boards vs dropping the tank without touching the bed. I delayed doing it a bit too long and had to do it in the parking lot at work, which really pushed me to try getting it done without pulling the bed as to not draw attention working on truck literally half pulled apart. Anyhow, just dropping the tank to change it was actually pretty painless, and don't see why this isn't the preferred method vs pulling the bed unless maybe the tank is completely full or something...at least for a 2wd RCSB.

I only needed basic tools, floor jack, and I had 2 cinder blocks but cant remember if I used both or only ended up using 1 of them...I think I just used 1. Truck didn't need to be jacked or anything, and tank was sitting about 1/8. Was pretty much a 1 man job as well. Had a coworker with me who ended up pretty much just watching the whole thing, maybe lowering the jack while I was underneath, that's about it. Below is pretty much what I did:

1) disconnect what you can as it sits like the filler neck hose from the bed

2) place cinder blocks at the tank ends, raise floor jack in the middle to support tank, and remove the 2 straps holding the tank up.

3) lower tank onto cinder blocks....this is where I cant remember if I used both or if I slid one out of the way and brought 1 side of the tank to the ground. At either rate, end result was there was enough room to disconnect everything else on the top of the tank while at the same time not so far down that the tank was hanging off of any tubes or lines etc.

4) once everything is disconnected from the tank, lift tank ends and slide out cinder blocks to put tank completely on the ground (jack not needed for this at all).

5) slide out tank from under the truck, pull out sending unit/pump assy, change pump (much cheaper and a simple swap) on the assy or drop in the new assy if you went for the whole thing, then simply do the reverse to install.

Was actually a lot less painfull then I expected it to be, especially the dealing with loose tank with gas in it still as far as balance/weight goes, and only took an hr or 2 with no snags or gotchas along the way.