98 4x4 fuel pump replacement

Looks like we gotta replace the fuel pump. I figure there's about 8 or 9 gallons of gas in the tank. Is it easier to pull the bed off or drop the tank? The fuel guage went out and shortly after the truck only runs with a certain amount of gas in it. No its not out of gas, I'm a new member but not an idiot. The first time the truck had problems it acted like it was running out of gas, made it to the station and put about 8 gallons in it. It "ran out of gas" or felt like it a mile after I left the station. Towed it to my buddy's shop. He saw the guage on empty and put about a half gallon of fuel in it and it ran fine. Drove it locally and after 5 or 10 miles it quit again. Put a half gallon of gas in it and it runs. But I know there's still like 8 gallons in it. That's why we figure the fuel pump/sending unit assembly is a good place to start. Any feedback?

 

seems easier if you have some help lifting the bed.