Topic: Dropping the gas tank

[JeffsJeep]

Hey guys, I think the fuel pump crapped out on my 91 2.5.  To get the rear bolts off by the rear bumper on the very back, how do I get them off.  They just keep twisting, is there a nut on top that I can't get to?  Do I have to take the bumper off first?  Also why can't I syphen the gas out?  Is it easier to just cut the floor to get to the pump?  Also where do I cut the floor at if anyone has done this?  I have heard of this approach done many times, it would obviously be easier to cut the floor than do all the bolts.
Thanks for your help, Jeff

[Bounty Hunter]

The two long bolts at the rear are the strap bolts and they shouldn't turn, they are the end of each strap.  The remaining shorter bolts are welded inside the crossmember.  If the weld has broken you're best off cutting them.

I'd lower the tank, by far the easiest and least invasive for removal.

While you have the tank out, look inside the vent tube opening and you'll see a hose inside the neck.  Remove that tube from the neck and your tank capacity will go from 15gal to 20gal.

[JeffsJeep]

so to drop the tank, i dont take off the bolts closest to the rear bumper? just the ones toward the front?

[Jeffy]

You'll want to loosen them all and perhaps take them all out.  Like what he said, the two LONG bolts at the rear are for teh tank straps and don't need to be removed to lower the tank.  All of the smaller ones do.

[JeffsJeep]

If I break the bolts by the rear bumper, are they welded on to something?  It is pretty rusty and I don't want to try to break something if I don't have to. I am worried that I'll break the bolts, so is it a better route to cut the floor?

[Jeffy]

If I break the bolts by the rear bumper, are they welded on to something?  It is pretty rusty and I don't want to try to break something if I don't have to. I am worried that I'll break the bolts, so is it a better route to cut the floor?

If your rear crossmember is in that much of a mess then it would be smart to fix it rather then ignore it and cut a hole through the floor.

[FourbangerYJ]

Cut the bolts. Once the tank is out you can repair the damage. The nuts are either welded or captured.

Don't cut the tub.

[JeffsJeep]

Well I did exactly what you guys said not to do, I cut the tub. LOL.  It worked great.  I now have a question regarding the 2 wired piece that goes on top of the pump, and the thing that looks like its a ground. How the hell do I get them off?

[Jeffy]

Cut them off? 

[JeffsJeep]

so what your saying is that it doesnt matter, the new pump will come with a new plug in and play type of deal?  Also the black ground, just cut it and reconnect it back to the new pump?  I ask this because I havnet gotten the new pump yet because there are serveral pumps to choose from, or so the man at the parts store said.  So when I get this one out I'll bring it in and get a new one.
Thanks for all your help guys, I appriciate it, Jeff

[Jeffy]

Wires should unplug from the pump and from the grommet at the top of the sender.  Normally, they just a standard blade type plug.