Dropping The Fuel Tank The Easy Way
 

This is a quick and simple version of how to drop the fuel tank on a Second Generation Cummins. I don't remember the exact wrench and socket sizes but you can figure them out pretty easy. You only need a few of them anyway.

Siphon fuel - Dissconnect the outgoing fuel supply hose from the top of the tank and slip a siphon hose over the fitting. This will completely empty the tank right to the bottom through the normal pickup tube. Here is a simple one that comes with the right size hose to do this and cost a few dollars from any junk hardware store. http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/3000-3999/3878.pdf

Dissconnect the hose clamps from fuel filler tube and the vent tube and pull them lose.

Dissconnect the fuel return line and the fuel level sender connection from the tank module.

Put one small tie down strap on the front and back ends of the tank. Run them under the tank and fasten each end to something on the bottom side of the truck.

Pull the front and back saddle straps holding the tank to the truck. Just one bolt in each one. On the front strap you will notice that you have to kind of twist it around a little to wedge it out. Once you get it out just grind off that little piece of corner and it will go in and out with out any problems from now on.

Once the tank is lose of the saddle straps simply lower it to the ground with the tie down straps.

You raise it the same way, just reverse the order. It is even simpler to do then it is to read about.:c:

This comes in a timely fashion I just installed my AirDog pump and still got to hook up the draw straw in the tank. So I was trying to figure uot what to do pull the bed again (PITA!) or drop the tank... After seeing this it don't look so hard...

Since I still got my old carter pump I can wire it up to pump the tank dry for me...:w2:

that is easier than i thought. i need to get my fuel gauge fixed but i was dreading dropping the tank. but just out of curiousity is there any other way to change the gauge woth out dropping the tank??

If you have to get to the tank module to fix the float area of the fuel guage then you either have to lift the bed or drop the tank. No other way to get to it. Well, unless you cut a hole in the bed and I've thought about doin that myslef. Just weldin a small hing on the cut out peice of bed so that I would have a trap door.

Another easy way to do it, if you or a friend has a Quad jack (I have one).

Just jack up under the tank throw a strap around it , undo the saddle straps yada yada yada.

I just pull the lever and raise the dump bed :bow2:

Now that is the ultimate :5:way to do it!

Actually now since I've pull the fuel tank twice. Once for the drawstraw install and the second time to install a new fuel sender I can pull a fuel tank out in just under 30 minutes... :w2: