If you do not hear the fuel pump prime when you first turn the key
Next step is to apply 12 to the fuel pump directly. On Rangers and Explorers you can reach the wiring to the fuel pump rather easily. unplug the harness and you can now tap into the power and ground wires for the pump. I use a jumper box (Car battery) and I have a few male plugs here that plug into the truck, I then power the fuel pump directly and see if it runs.
The pink/black is the + and the thick black/white is the -
You can tap into the wires however you see fit, taking the 8 pin round plug apart is one option
This has saved many tanks from being dropped when I find the fuel pump is actually working fine, then I move onto the truck side of things.
Otherwise if the pump does not run, I know I need to drop the tank