2000 7.3 Hutch Mod and Harpoon

[lowbudgetjunk]

Every write up I have seen shows people dropping the tank. Every time I have worked under a bed of a truck, it seems to be more work than actually removing the bed itself. I have found it easier to remove the bed from the truck, fix what's wrong and reinstall the bed. Is there something I am missing here? I like to work standing up and it seems to me like a whole lot less work.

For those that don't want to read up on what these two mods are, the Hutch is to correct the screens in the mixing chamber from getting plugged and pulling from the bypass which is up higher above the 1/4 tank mark. Basically, I run out of fuel at 1/4 tank. Secondly, the Harpoon mod is just something I will do because I have to get into the tank. you cut off the vent tube and filler tube. This allows to use 95% of the tank when the nozzle clicks off the first time instead of trying to force the air out and having diesel foam out of the filler neck.

I am going to do both if the weather will cooperate in the next week or two, just need some advice from someone that has real world experience with it.

 

[RustyC]

The plier/ratchet style PVC pipe cutter works perfect for cutting the vent tube.

 

[RustyC]

I removed the bed on my truck to access the top of the tank. It was much easier. A couple of fuel lines, sender harness and the large plastic nut/flange and the whole assembly comes out.
The torx hardware for the bed is a pain in the ass. Some type of penetrating oil on the threads will help. I broke a bit or two removing mine.
I completely drained my tank while it was open, just to give me peace of mind that there was not any water or debris in the tank going forward.

You can see the crap that was in the pickup and return in the tank here. (http://www.hardlinecrawlers.com/forums/index.php?topic=27541.msg331190#msg331190)

 

[85toyo]

The torx hardware for the bed is a pain in the ass. Some type of penetrating oil on the threads will help. I broke a bit or two removing mine.

X2 make sure you have plenty of torx sockets when you start that project. We pulled the bed on a buddy's 250 a few weeks ago and broke three.

Cornwell, blue point, and kobalt all broke. S.K got the last few out.

 

[collinmaune]

I did this with my old truck then went and got grade 8 bolts and put them in instead of the torx just in case I ever needed to remover the bed again of put a different style gooseneck hitch in i could just loosen the bolts and slid the hitch rails in then retighten and not have to notch the bed.