lazyness + drill + jigsaw =

[Boss 351]

lmao... some won't like this but I have to change my fuel pump and my tank was full of gas... So I only lowered it enough to clear the jigsaw blade and cut open a hole in the trunk floor so I can now remove the fuel pump from inside the trunk

I'll get a nice aluminum plate or something to cover the hole. I know it's not super bright since the time it will take to complete the access panel will be about the same as lowering the tank completely and changing the fuel pump but my way is cooler lol The sad thing is that I will need to lower the tank anyway so I can fix the fuel gauge and clean up the undercarriage a little too.

To make a clean factory like access panel, I may make a metal outer ridge which will be fixed permanantly to the body and an aluminum panel would be bolted to that. Which will also keep the car's structure sound.

 

[Ozz]

Nice. I've got a pic that shows where to do that for easy access to the fuel pump - if and when I have to get at it again I'm going to reference that The carpeting covers it anyway, so no big deal.

 

[jrichker]

A drawing with dimensions would be a help to the rest of us...

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Damn i thought that's how everyone did it? LOL seriously, it's a bit redneck but EVERYONE around here just cuts a hole in the trunk to get to the pump. My buddy did this and made a round plate with a hinge and used some kind of rubber thing (no idea what) to make a kind of gasket to seal it shut when the plate is closed, and just screws it down to the trunk so it stays shut and is flush with the rest of the floor. It might sound redneck but IMO this is so much smarter than dropping the tank.

 

[Darkwriter77]

One of the SIX prior owners of Frankenstang's '86 'vert did this to her trunk. At least they didn't poke a hole in the fuel tank ... well, at least not that either of us have noticed, yet...

Looked like they took a drill and just poked a whole series of holes in the thing to make a U-shaped incision to access the pump. Given, I've done something similar before to change the shocks on the back of a Crown Vic and a Town Car, but that's nowhere near the fuel tank, really - there's about 6" of dead air space between the top hump of the upper trunk shelf there and the frame, which is totally inaccessable by humans because the fuel tank is stacked in FRONT of that. (Stoooooopid design. )

I'm all about taking shortcuts when it comes to working on old non-collector cars, but when it comes to cutting metal near a fuel tank ... that's some risky business, there.

Besides, dropping the tank involves, what ... loosening two strap bolts and unhooking the fuel filler neck? Last time I did one, I'd just filled up with a full tank, too - I just bought two big honkin' fuel jugs and sucked it outta there with a fluid transfer pump. I gave the gas to my brother-in-law to use in his yard tractor, for helping me lift/hold the tank in place during the re-install - gas was a LOT cheaper back then, of course (about $1.35/gallon).

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Yeah don't get me wrong, i wouldn't go chopping on the trunk of a '93 Cobra....but i think if it's done RIGHT and not like you're talking about....i think it can be a very clean and neatly done mod that pays off huge in the long run. Hell i think if you really did a super nice job and installed a door like i'm talking about, a potential buyer might actually appreciate it, especially if they ever have to change the pump.

 

[nonglossjason]

i dont think its worth it, why not take the extra 5 min and just drop the tank

 

[281pony]

if you own a fox for any duration of time, that mod is worth it.

every one ive known of has fried a few pumps in its time..

its also worth it if you dont like laying in gas when they go out unexpected and you have a full tank.

 

[FrankenStang]

i dont think its worth it, why not take the extra 5 min and just drop the tank

+1

 

[Roland69]

2 bolts+ filler neck tube+ a few fuel line connections=tank droped

 

[stykthyn]

heheheh, I have done that to more than one F-Body

 

[Boss 351]

A lot of cars have an access panel under the rear seat (over the tank). I guess the fox doesn't have one since in 79, the pump was on the timing cover lol

If you do it right, it shouldn't cause any harm to the car's value or structure. I don't agree, however, people making an access panel for the heater core simply because it shows too much under the hood. LOL

 

[Darkwriter77]

An access panel for the heater core? Sayyyyyy ... I kinda like that idea, actually. Paint the little panel to match, and ta-daaaa! I'd be a happy camper.

 

[Boss 351]

the thing is that you'd need to hack the HVAC unit for that to work but I agree Ford should have came up with a better idea for the 87-93 (or whatever)... I've changed more fuel pumps than heater cores though lol

 

[DEFWISH]

LOL it doesn't take long to drop the tank... .... ne ways, some volvos come stock with a little door in the trunk for fuelpump access.

 

[1990Coupe]

I had no idea so many people did this mod to there fox's?? its something to think about!!!

if you own a fox for any duration of time, that mod is worth it.

every one ive known of has fried a few pumps in its time..

its also worth it if you dont like laying in gas when they go out unexpected and you have a full tank.

you have an 07 SI??? do you like it??

 

[Deleted member 87397]

Most Hondas nowadays have these. I had to change out the pump in my Prelude once and it was simple since there was an access panel in the trunk.

 

[1991vert]

 

[Boss 351]

no pics yet... not finished with the access panel lol

 

[mercurycapri]

I did a access panel for my heater core now I wish I didn't cut into my car. It looks like crap and plus I fear that it cut the value of the car down.