1996 ford ranger fuel tank removal

Robin king · 09-17-2007, 03:25 PM

Hi all, just bought this truck and the fuel pump quit, i'm not much of a mechanic, 51 yrs old female, I am trying to get the fuel tank off, run into a problem,,can't seem to drop the tank without taking off the drive shaft there are 4 star bolts that connect it to the rear end,,those are all i see, can't seem to budge them. please is there an easier way to get the thing off..desperate...thanks

**RangerX** · 09-17-2007, 05:09 PM

The driveshaft does run right along the tank, but you should be able to drop it without disconnecting the shaft. At least on mine, I can.
Is your truck 2wd or 4wd, and which engine and transmission does it have, if you know?

Welcome to the forum.

schmidlkofer · 09-17-2007, 05:20 PM

keep spraying the crap out of those bolts. and get bit to fit it and use a cheater bar. unless the tank drops without...

Robin king · 09-18-2007, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RangerX

The driveshaft does run right along the tank, but you should be able to drop it without disconnecting the shaft. At least on mine, I can.
Is your truck 2wd or 4wd, and which engine and transmission does it have, if you know?

Welcome to the forum.

thank you, and it is a 2wd 4cyl with 8 spark plugs don't know the transmission but its a stick shift 5 speed. I took out the 2 bolts holding the front straps in and they are catching on the drive shaft, will they bend enough to pass it...thanks again

Ranger Al · 09-29-2007, 06:56 PM

Another alternative, would remove the bolts holding the bed onto the frame. It is not as heavy as you might thing. All you need is to loose the holes and tilt the bed enough to remove the pump. I would do this if you have lots of gas in the tank, it is not going to be easy to lift that tank back if it loaded.

Good luck..

Al

Red FX4 · 10-01-2007, 11:06 AM

If the bed bolts are not totally frozen, removal of the bed is the easiest way to get to the fuel pump. rather than just tilting it up, I suggest you get someone to help you and totally remove it of at least slide it back out of the way. You will need to disconnect the electrical wiring to the rear as well as the fuel tank filler hose. Once you do this you will have good access to the fuel pump and will not have the problems associated with removing the tank.

09-17-2007, 03:25 PM	#1
Robin king Wannabe Elite Explorer LeadWood, Missouri 1996 RangerXLT Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	1996 ford ranger fuel tank removal Hi all, just bought this truck and the fuel pump quit, i'm not much of a mechanic, 51 yrs old female, I am trying to get the fuel tank off, run into a problem,,can't seem to drop the tank without taking off the drive shaft there are 4 star bolts that connect it to the rear end,,those are all i see, can't seem to budge them. please is there an easier way to get the thing off..desperate...thanks

09-17-2007, 05:09 PM	#2
RangerX Moderator Elite Ranger Omao, Kauai '93 Ranger XLT 4X4 Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 7,191 Vehicle Specs	The driveshaft does run right along the tank, but you should be able to drop it without disconnecting the shaft. At least on mine, I can. Is your truck 2wd or 4wd, and which engine and transmission does it have, if you know? Welcome to the forum. __________________ Bill Collins 93 Ranger XLT 4X4 "Beauty is only sheet metal deep."

09-17-2007, 05:20 PM	#3
schmidlkofer Wannabe Elite Explorer thornton, colorado. 94 XLT Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 912 Vehicle Specs	keep spraying the crap out of those bolts. and get bit to fit it and use a cheater bar. unless the tank drops without... __________________ green 1994 ford explorer with 36 inch irok super swampers on 17's

09-29-2007, 06:56 PM	#5
Ranger Al Wannabe Elite Explorer Fresno, California '00 FX4 Ranger Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 474 Vehicle Specs	Another alternative, would remove the bolts holding the bed onto the frame. It is not as heavy as you might thing. All you need is to loose the holes and tilt the bed enough to remove the pump. I would do this if you have lots of gas in the tank, it is not going to be easy to lift that tank back if it loaded. Good luck.. Al __________________ 1. XLT Ranger 4dr 4.0 5 spd 4X4-> K&N filter, grill insert, Stainless steel skid plate, 98 Mountaineer front axles swap, factory motor transplanted and new clutch kit, 3" Flowmaster 40 dual outlet, hard bedcover, JamesDuff traction bars, Bilstien shocks. 2. 1999 K1200RS BMW motorcycle <fast German technology> 3. 2005 Suzuki XL 7, the only small SUV with 7 passengers I could effort under $15K 4. 1970 VW project -needs exhaust, interior, extrical parts..

10-01-2007, 11:06 AM	#6
Red FX4 Wannabe Elite Explorer Costa Mesa, CA 2002 Ranger FX4 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 174 Vehicle Specs	If the bed bolts are not totally frozen, removal of the bed is the easiest way to get to the fuel pump. rather than just tilting it up, I suggest you get someone to help you and totally remove it of at least slide it back out of the way. You will need to disconnect the electrical wiring to the rear as well as the fuel tank filler hose. Once you do this you will have good access to the fuel pump and will not have the problems associated with removing the tank. __________________ Gary 2002 FX4 Bright Red Supercab, 4.0 SOHC, Twin sticks, 32" ProComp MTs, K&N air filter, Modified airbox inlet, Bama flash, Gibson SS cat. back exhaust, Hidden Hitch round reciever, Rear helper air springs, Line-X bed liner, WAAG Sports bar with KC lights and Wildernest shell.