gas tank trapdoor

**oldmano2z** · 05-26-2011, 04:35 PM

does anyone have pictures or diminsions for cutting a hole to remove the fuel pump from inside the cab ? i saw a sticky here on changing fuel pump . jayta98 would you have pictures?

**Mr. Luos** · 05-26-2011, 04:44 PM

Take the extra hour, do it right.
This way you can clean your fuel tank out as well.

**JayTA98** · 05-26-2011, 06:31 PM

I always recommend everyone to drop their tank. You have a plastic tank on your 02. Myself I did the trap door. 98's have a metal tank and the gas pipe is metall as well. I tried everything besides cutting the sides to get this thing out and I couldn't so i did the trap door.

If you can drop your tank is recommended because you can clean it as well.

here is a pick of a 99:

Now you need to double check the location because in my 98 the pump sits closer to the rear seat.

**oldmano2z** · 05-26-2011, 08:11 PM

thanks jay i owe you one . ive seen where people have hacked out the fuel pump at the bone yard ,I was hoping you had pictures. I just like to keep my options open and I thank you guys for the advice on cleaning the tank also..

**ls1camino** · 05-27-2011, 03:28 AM

Having dropped the tank twice, I highly recommend cutting the door. It takes less than 5 minutes to actually cut the door and eliminates the need to unbolt your exhaust completely. Also, I attached a hinge and sliding locks to the cut out panel, so I can open and close it with ease and I don't have a sag in the carpet.

**chuk** · 05-27-2011, 07:49 AM

Do you get a fuel smell from the tank with the trap door?

**JayTA98** · 05-27-2011, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by chuk

Do you get a fuel smell from the tank with the trap door?

not at all. if you do then one of the lines is leaking. When you put the trap door you seal it with some rtv or gasket material.

**9t8z28** · 06-07-2011, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by ls1camino

Having dropped the tank twice, I highly recommend cutting the door. It takes less than 5 minutes to actually cut the door and eliminates the need to unbolt your exhaust completely. Also, I attached a hinge and sliding locks to the cut out panel, so I can open and close it with ease and I don't have a sag in the carpet.

X2! Cut the trap door.

**mike171562** · 06-07-2011, 09:24 AM

cut the door, i had to take my pump back out a few days after installing it due to a hose coming off the pump, in 5 minutes I had the pump out.

**SSwt00SS** · 06-07-2011, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

I always recommend everyone to drop their tank. You have a plastic tank on your 02...

...98's have a metal tank and the gas pipe is meatl as well.

this the whole way, imo

yes, '98 models have metal tank. when I dropped the tank to replace the entire fuel pump module, i was able to clean it as well. There was no way I was cutting a hole in a perfectly good car, plus there was no way i wanted to work in a limited space/confined area and/or risk slopping fuel all over the interior of the car.

sure, it was hot, i cussed, i busted knuckles by choosing drop it, but it's not worth it to me to risk cutting a hole and possibly more by doing the trap door.

it is worth saying: '98 is the only model year you have to replace the entire fuel pump module. '99's and up you are able to get by with simply replacing the fuel pump.

**ntimid8r** · 06-07-2011, 11:13 AM

What are you people....lazy!?!?!

Another vote for doing it the right way and dropping the tank.

**mike171562** · 06-07-2011, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by SSwt00SS

.

it is worth saying: '98 is the only model year you have to replace the entire fuel pump module. '99's and up you are able to get by with simply replacing the fuel pump.

I have a 98 and I just replaced the pump

I didnt clean my tank when i did the pump, but It would have been just as easy cleaning it through the access door as taking it all the way off. With the trap-door I can clean the tank with a shop vac anytime very easily.

**Mr. Luos** · 06-07-2011, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by ntimid8r

What are you people....lazy!?!?!

Another vote for doing it the right way and dropping the tank.

And it only takes an extra hour or so.
Clean out the tank, make sure everything is done right.

If GM wanted a 'trapdoor' it would be there from the factory.
When I had my car, I beat the hell out of it. Straight line, corners, etc...
In no way shape or form do I want to cut the body.

If you MUST cut it, drop the tank for the cutting at least.

How you been Rich....haven't seen you post in a while.

**ntimid8r** · 06-07-2011, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

And it only takes an extra hour or so.
Clean out the tank, make sure everything is done right.

If GM wanted a 'trapdoor' it would be there from the factory.
When I had my car, I beat the hell out of it. Straight line, corners, etc...
In no way shape or form do I want to cut the body.

If you MUST cut it, drop the tank for the cutting at least.

How you been Rich....haven't seen you post in a while.

Busy with work...life...etc..... Ehh, it's all good. I found wearing ghillie suit and setting up an ambush is far more effective than posting.

**02transamce** · 06-07-2011, 12:52 PM

I took option 3...took it to a local chevy dealer and let them bust their knuckles and cuss,lol.no way i was dropping the tank laying on the ground and i sure as hell was not cutting a trapdoor.
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**JayTA98** · 06-07-2011, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by mike171562

I have a 98 and I just replaced the pump

I didnt clean my tank when i did the pump, but It would have been just as easy cleaning it through the access door as taking it all the way off. With the trap-door I can clean the tank with a shop vac anytime very easily.

be careful when using a shopvac to suction gasoline. I seen it caught fire. The shopvac is not design to hold the fumes in the canister and it can start a fire. I seen it before.

**JayTA98** · 06-07-2011, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

And it only takes an extra hour or so.
Clean out the tank, make sure everything is done right.

If GM wanted a 'trapdoor' it would be there from the factory.
When I had my car, I beat the hell out of it. Straight line, corners, etc...
In no way shape or form do I want to cut the body.

If you MUST cut it, drop the tank for the cutting at least.

How you been Rich....haven't seen you post in a while.

i did my trap door but I dropped the tank some. I didn't want to cut any lines or wires.

**oldmano2z** · 06-07-2011, 04:29 PM

I guess i'll work smarter not harder and cut acess and reinforce its perimeter with a ring.subframe connectors will deal with the body flex around corners and straights.mike171 yes just drop a shop vac hose perfect idea!!!

**mike171562** · 06-08-2011, 05:34 AM

I never cleaned the tank, so not sure what the best method would be, i was just using that as an example

**Smittro** · 06-08-2011, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by ntimid8r

What are you people....lazy!?!?!

Another vote for doing it the right way and dropping the tank.

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

And it only takes an extra hour or so.
Clean out the tank, make sure everything is done right.

If GM wanted a 'trapdoor' it would be there from the factory.
When I had my car, I beat the hell out of it. Straight line, corners, etc...
In no way shape or form do I want to cut the body.

If you MUST cut it, drop the tank for the cutting at least.

How you been Rich....haven't seen you post in a while.

+3 when I did mine it only took 3-4 hours start to finish dropping the tank..
No big deal if you have the tools and time.. By the time the prep work, cutting, cleaning, then removal and reinstall happens for the trap door you could likely be done with it doing it the right way.. Trap door only saves future time if for some reason it would need changed a 3rd time..imho

I just baught the entire assembly new, installed, and forgot about it..