1986 only uses 7 gallons of gas before running out fuel

[SpencerC]

We have a 1986 Ranger that we recently purchased. It has a few issues but the biggest that has me puzzled is its lack of power and it runs out of gas with a 1/4 tank left on the gauge and only takes about 7.5 gallons of gas to fill it up. It is my understanding that it has a 17 gallon tank. What on earth causes it to sputter and run out of gas so early. It also seems very underpowered for a V6.

Any ideas what direction I should start troubleshooting? Anyone else ever heard of this gas issue?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Spencer

 

[adsm08]

IME the most common cause for fuel pressure or supply issues that early in the tank is physical damage to the in-tank fuel pump. Something happens to make it start sucking air once the fuel level is down so far.

 

[SpencerC]

IME the most common cause for fuel pressure or supply issues that early in the tank is physical damage to the in-tank fuel pump. Something happens to make it start sucking air once the fuel level is down so far.

Thanks!

Is the easiest way to replace it to pull the bed? draining 10 gallons of gas doesnt sound fun

 

[adsm08]

If you have a motorcycle jack or a scissor-style trans jack I'd just drop the tank. On trucks half that age you usually end up spinning a nut or stripping a bolt trying to pull the bed.

Replacement j-nuts and bolts are easy enough to get, it just adds an extra dimension to the job.