Remove bed to replace fuel guage?

I have a 2004 4 cyl where the needle on the fuel guage stops at just above half and have to rely on the idiot light to keep from running out of gas. I want to replace the sending unit and am wondering if it might be easier to remove the bed to get to it instead of dropping the tank. I have a place to hoist it from and a come along and with 4 tie down loops it seems I might save the headache of dealing with dry rotted rubber fuel connectors and corroded straps on my back vs 6 bolts and 2 wire connectors. Good idea?

 

I have been in my gas tank twice now. Once to do what you are needing done.

Both times I have dropped the tank. I waited till the tank was almost empty. Fortunately, my truck has very little rust, and everything came apart as desired.

Both times I did it by myself with the help of a floor jack and a 2x4 to help hold the tank wile I moved around.

I could however, see how lifting the bed might be easier. If you had the means.

Bottom line, dropping the tank is not that hard if you are familiar with "turning wrenches".


Good luck!

 

I fixed my fuel gauge by removing the bed. My gauge wouldn't work at all and I found that one of the connector wires had burned up. I soldered it back together and it worked fine.

The bed is pretty easy to remove as long as you don't have to deal with rust. There are 6 bolts, the two at the rear are inside the frame and my bumper bolts were getting in the way, so you may have to remove the rear bumper. Also, disconnect the fuel filler neck from the bed, remove taillights, unpin wiring from the bed bottom at the back. Thats it. 2 people can lift it off.

 

If it's a 4door you have to drop the tank
Pulling the bed is a waste because the fuel pump is under the cab

 

I'd pull the bed, as I don't like working on my back anymore. Too old for that crap.

 

Not a Tacoma but on my buddies gmc we had to get into the fuel cell twice. Tried both ways and pulling the bed was 10x easier as well, not to mention the plethora of room to work

 

"the plethora of room to work" - that could be a big benefit...