Lifting truck bed on Chevy Silverado

[Rich Z]

I know this really has nothing at all to do with Corvettes, but maybe someone will find it of interest.

Connie's truck has been acting up lately (gas gauge going bonkers, hard starting after it sat for a couple of days) so I figured the fuel pump needed to be replaced. I called the local Chevy dealership to see what they charge, and got a price just shy of $1,000. Not including tax and other incidentals they always add into the bill. A brand new Delphi fuel pump from Summit Racing was only $190. Heck, I could see where I could save $800!

Anyway, I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to change out the fuel pump, and there seemed to be three methods commonly employed:

1. Drop the fuel tank from underneath.
2. Lift the bed off and set it down somewhere out of the way.
3. Remove the bed bolts on one side, loosen the other side, and tilt the bed up and out of the way.

I decided on trying a fourth method. Use the left arms ABOVE the bed, and lift the bed up. Then with muscle power, roll the truck forward about three feet or so, leaving the fuel pump exposed and easy to get to.



















This proved to be very easy to do. The pump was very easy to get to, and could be pulled straight up and out of the gas tank. Had to solder in a new and improved electrical connector, however, since apparently the pumps have changed a bit since 2001.

Putting the bed back on was a snap, too. Simply rolled the truck back to where it had been when the bed was lifted off (I marked the floor as to where the tires needed to be), insert the bolts with a little minor positioning of the bed. Then tightened everything down and put things the way they were before getting ready for the lift, and done.

Oh, I also replaced the fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator earlier.

All in all, a relatively easy way to keep $800 in my wallet.

[navy2kcoupe]

Originally Posted by Rich Z

All in all, a relatively easy way to keep $800 in my wallet.

Yeah, IF you have a lift!!!

Andy

[85vette]

You can pay for one pretty quickly like that. And you could rent it to friends too.

[Rich Z]

Yeah, I would have to say that I would be pretty hard pressed to come up with anything other than that lift that I would consider as a better purchase that I have ever made. Heck, saved me from having to have to get rid of the blue C5Z, for certain. I just could not have afforded to have someone else work on it after the two bad (and expensive) experiences I had. I don't know exactly how much money that lift has saved me, but it has to be a LOT!

If you have a place to put one, and have any intention at all of putting wrenches to your vehicles for any reason, it will definitely be money well spent. Heck, I have seen shops that had lifts outside and not under any cover, bolted onto a slab, and they seemed to last a very long time, even being directly exposed to the weather.

[mrr23]

pretty good idea. will have to use this the next time i do a fuel pump at work.