Hello all..Nick here..I'm new and am close to buying my first K5...It's an '86 and has a leak in the fuel tank. The seller already has a new fuel tank that will come with the purchase. My question is how big/difficult of a job is it to replace the faulty tank? Is it something I can do or that I will have to pay a mechanic to do? My dad and I are pretty good at tinkering with vehicles so we could probably handle it if it isn't too involved. The one thing we have never messed with is the fuel tank. Thanks in advance.

 

It's not a hard job but can be a pain. Not sure if the sending unit lines are set up like the fuel injected ones but if you need to remove any lines on the sending unit that are not held on with a hose clamp make sure to spray them down good with PB Blaster and let them soak.

 

Thanks!! I will keep that in mind when we actually get in there and start messing around..Have to buy it first Just wanted to make sure it wasn't something that would make me question buying the vehicle.

 

everytime i ever dropped a tank i just cut them hoses and replace them with new ones. its a pain in the butt trying to tip the tank down and wiggle those lines off, chances are they are rotted and crappy anyway

 

On the FI ones they have braided stainless lines which can be a pain. Another option is to cut a access hole in the bed.

 

My thinking was cutting an access hole was related to the fuel pump, not the actual tank. Is that wrong? Or are you saying the access hole makes it easier to reach the lines attached to the tank? I'd rather not cut an access hole if I can avoid it. I also like the idea of cutting the hoses as they are probably pretty old and could be replaced anyway. I assume the hoses are pretty easy to find at Advance or somewhere like that? Thanks again for ya'lls help!

 

yeah you just cut like a square 1 foot by 1foot hole right above the sending unit. that way you have a way better angle at getting to the lines. ive done that on a few trucks. of course be careful not to cut into the tank or the lines

 

I cut a access hole in mine when it was still a full K5 just incase I had to do a fuel pump on the trail. I wouldn't do it if I just had to replace a tank.