Gas tank float doesn't float any more

[ranger96]

I'm trying to replace the floats in my 96 Ranger but I can't get the gas tank off. I have the straps off, hoses disconnected and wire harness off but I can't get the tank off. It doesn't appear to be physically possible. What am I doing wrong???

 

[koda6966]

I'm trying to replace the floats in my 96 Ranger but I can't get the gas tank off. I have the straps off, hoses disconnected and wire harness off but I can't get the tank off. It doesn't appear to be physically possible. What am I doing wrong???

Just look over the whole thing and see what else is still attached. There has to be something.

That's my best advice, I've never taken off a tank before.

 

[gotmudd]

I'm trying to replace the floats in my 96 Ranger but I can't get the gas tank off. I have the straps off, hoses disconnected and wire harness off but I can't get the tank off. It doesn't appear to be physically possible. What am I doing wrong???

i know you said you disconnected the hoses but did you get the fuel fill spout ?

 

[shadetree]

Also, there may be a ground wire. It is usually easier to slide the bed back than to pull the tank.shady

 

[Southern3.0]

Just take the bed off, its way easer then dropping the tank. Theres only 6 bed bolts, 3 screws that hold the filler neck on and there a harness plug for the tail lights at the rear of the bed underneath the tailgate. I can take the bed off by myself in 15 mins.

 

[Big Jim M]

I have never seen a float SINK!! I betcha that ain't your problem...whatever the problem might be.
Big Jim

 

[koda6966]

I have never seen a float SINK!! I betcha that ain't your problem...whatever the problem might be.
Big Jim

It happens. My cousin had a truck for a while that didn't have the gas gauge working because of that. He just put gas in it whenever he went somewhere, enough to get him where he needed to go.

 

[MikeWild]

My exploder is the same, I reset the odometer with every fill and when it hits 300 I'll refill. The ranger just started doing the same about a week ago, looks like I gotta fix 2 tanks now!

 

[shadetree]

I have never seen a float SINK!! I betcha that ain't your problem...whatever the problem might be.
Big Jim

You would lose your bet. It is a common problem with these vehicles.shady

 

[Big Jim M]

DAgone Shady... Is the thing one of the old time brass floats or is it a modern closed cell float?
Big JIm

 

[shadetree]

DAgone Shady... Is the thing one of the old time brass floats or is it a modern closed cell float?
Big JIm

Yeah it's brass and gets a pinhole. I replaced mine last year. Can't get the float by itself new, you have to get pump and all.shady

 

[Big Jim M]

Ahaaa! Used to repair those.. drilling a small hold opposite the pin hole and blowing all the fuel out..then JB'n both holes.. Why on earth would they still be using toilet floats when much better floats are available? Hell even toilets don't use them anymore.
Big JIm

 

[shadetree]

Ahaaa! Used to repair those.. drilling a small hold opposite the pin hole and blowing all the fuel out..then JB'n both holes.. Why on earth would they still be using toilet floats when much better floats are available? Hell even toilets don't use them anymore.
Big JIm

Kinda the way I was thinkin. The truck belonged to my daughter in law at the time, and I didn't want to patch it with her driving, so I replaced the whole thing. The newer ones are different.shady

 

[fixizin]

I've seen some pretty wild and variable price$ on entire pump/sender assemblies... what'd y'all pay?

Just take the bed off, its way easer then dropping the tank. Theres only 6 bed bolts, 3 screws that hold the filler neck on and there a harness plug for the tail lights at the rear of the bed underneath the tailgate. I can take the bed off by myself in 15 mins.

GOOD to know... say, what's that (6') bed WEIGH????

I've always wanted to jury-rig some trailer lights and drive around "bare nekkid frame" for a few days, while I make suspension upgrades, lol... guess I'd have to jury-rig the filler neck too...

 

[dorman68]

Just remove the bed. I removed the bed on mine to service the fuel pump and I am glad I did as all of the bolts for the fuel tank mounting were rusted. When you have the bed off inspect the fuel filler hose as the Rangers were prone to cracking. I had to replace my fuel filler hose on my 92 Ranger, it was leaking every time I refueled.