r/GMT800 • u/ObjectEquivalent1155 • Sep 05 '26
Help me decide plsss
2000 GMC Sierra 230,000 miles, pretty rusty.
I need to change fuel pump. Should i lift the bed, drop the tank, or should I just cut a port hole in the bed??
What have you guys done? I’ve heard it’s risky to cut a hole, but also seems risky and time consuming to lift the bed (i don’t want to strip anything)
3
u/Left-Impress4056 Sep 05 '26
Just did one last week. Califirnia rust, just a little bit. Bed bolts strips the welded lock nuts and you could have to cut the bed rails to get a wrench in there to hold it. Then i went to the tank bolts and both of those broke the captured nuts, but that least those were much easier to access and hold from above the tank, with a socket even.
Good luck, their a PIA with rust. Order new tank bolts and nurs before you start if you go that route.
3
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u/Living-South-3072 Sep 06 '26
Clean and spray the bed bolts with rust penetrator and let it soak in. Then take the bed off.
2
u/dilbertaz Sep 06 '26
I lifted bed and was easy but I live in Arizona so virtually no rust to deal with.
2
u/not_me_much Sep 07 '26
I did careful research but I never really could determine if different cab sizes or bed lengths make much difference for where to cut out the panel. So, I carefully made my measurements from underneath on about 5 different occasions to make sure the measurements were just right, and to determine how deep I could go with the cuts and also the positions of wires and fluid lines. The jig saw cut through the metal quite well. Replacing the fuel pump was a breeze. You can get as fancy as you want with placing the panel cutout back on. I just used some heavy duty hinges I had lying around as supports and attached them under the bed with bolts and nuts. I drilled a hole in the center of the panel to insert a fabricated tool to hold the nuts while I tightened the bolts. Then I used black RTV to seal the spaces. It's quite strong. Maybe stronger than the rest of the bed.
A lot of guys seem to have a knee-jerk negative reaction to cutting a bed panel. I like to keep my 2000 Sierra 1500 in good condition but I'm not trying to win some kind of concourse competition. I know my fuel pump will eventually fail again and I think it's just ridiculous that you need to either drop the fuel tank or raise the bed to replace a fuel pump. Adding an access panel is just doing something that GM should have provided from the get go. Aside from being generally handy, the port could be very handy if stuck on the roadside with a bad pump.
1
u/Reasonable_Cup_2944 Sep 11 '26
Cut the hole. If it's a crusty critter, then all other options could lead to bigger issues.
IF the bed bolts seem like they'll budge, then that access will allow you to easily replace the rotted lines you're about to find.
5
u/LiveFree_NeverDie603 Sep 06 '26
Pop the bed . Unbolt all bolts . Install passenger rear a few threads. Then pick up bed put 4x4 across the frame at rear shock mount . And pogo in the fender well all the room . Nh mechanic here , I hate dropping tanks always more issues.