2003 Fuel lift pump

[Killer223]

When on my death bed I'll acknowledge that it was a wiser choice. For now I'm having more fun learning by watching things fail. Also avoiding dropping the tank because things are never as easy as everybody says.

I put 2x6 on edge between the frame and bed, was enough room for the install of the intank on my early 04.

 

[CharlesinGA]

I just pull the bed, much easier. Have done it three times already. 8 big bolts underneath, two screws in each tail light plus the connector, bonding jumper underneath on the front right, three screws at the filler neck. I put a large piece of cardboard between the bed and cab to protect from damage, put some old jeans or similar on the outer corners of the bumper to protect the bed there. Off it comes.

Charles

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Also avoiding dropping the tank because things are never as easy as everybody says.

Not bragging or anything, but I've dropped my tank 4 times, 2 times solo. If my 52g tank is at a quarter or below I can have it down and out in less than 45minutes solo in the driveway.

Drive shaft, Tank straps, Harness/lines, done. Not at all a hard process. But you are so very right, "Simple doesn't mean easy"

Things happen, plans change, and problem solving isn't in a factory service manual; all it has are procedures and specifications.

 

[mbellomy]

The in-tank is the way to go.

#3 for the in-tank vote. My filter-mounted pump was replaced under warranty with the in-tank pump 200,000 miles ago and is going strong!

 

[Mhennessy]

Another vote for the in tank. My 04.5 filter pump went out at 124K and left me stranded on the road headed to elk camp with 34 gallons in her.
I was super easy to drain the fuel and drop the tank as opposed to having to get somebody help me lift the bed and disassemble my gooseneck hitch. Dropping the tank will allow you to clean it out and add a vent relocation kit to give you a few more gallons in the tank and faster fill ups.

 

[Crunch]

Yes, they are still available and easy to replace... expect when it is -10 out which is when mine failed back in February on my 04. It was much easier to replace the last time it failed when it was 70 degrees!

And that is something that really should be factored in to the calculus, as well. The filter case mounted transfer pump can be fixed on the side of the road with basic tools, and is a fraction of the cost of the in-tank pump. That has to have some value when deciding between the two.

Curious how many miles on the pump when it failed ?

Mine went out around 100K. Replaced it myself with one from Geno's. I now have 395K on the truck and that pump is still going. Maybe I'm teasing the python, but I've been happy with it.

TDR article below reminds me of the inline fuel filter that came with these kits which I've not changed since installing this pump.

I should probably do the same. I had a pretty good debate in my mind when I changed out the pump, and decided to install the inline filter. Haven't noticed any problems with fuel flow yet.

 

[Ozymandias]

I like a pump better that does not have to be replaced at all then a pump that I can replace at the side of the road every 50k.

 

[Crunch]

I like a pump better that does not have to be replaced at all then a pump that I can replace at the side of the road every 50k.

I'd like a pump that doesn't have to be replaced at all, too. But ever since I was a wee one, my dad drilled it into my head that everything mechanical eventually wears out and breaks. So "at all" isn't realistic in my opinion. That means that there will be tradeoffs no matter which route one takes. If I was replacing mine every 50K miles there is a good chance I'd jump to the in-tank pump. But after one replacement, mine has lasted 300K miles. Sure, it could go out at any point. But given the cost and ease of replacement I would have to think long and hard about which pump I install. And if I was confident that I would get another 300K miles out of the next transfer pump I would have a hard time justifying the cost of an in-tank pump, especially since I would probably end up paying someone else to do the install. It's like the slow leak AC debate. Yes, it's preferable to get the AC fixed properly. But if I'm adding one can of refrigerant every 18 months at a cost of $5 a can (pre-Brandon) it makes it hard to justify thousands of dollars and a cracked up dash to have it done the right way.

 

[verk]

I now have 395K on the truck and that pump is still going. Maybe I'm teasing the python, but I've been happy with it.

Thanks for sharing this experience. 295k is 3x what others are reporting for longevity. I wonder what accounts for the difference ? I've purchased a fuel pressure sender (0-50 psi with 1-6V output) which should be easy to install. I'll report back pressures before and after primary filter and inline lift pump filter/strainer changes.

 

[slowmover]

175k on my first. That’s closer to norm.

 

[Crunch]

Thanks for sharing this experience. 295k is 3x what others are reporting for longevity. I wonder what accounts for the difference ? I've purchased a fuel pressure sender (0-50 psi with 1-6V output) which should be easy to install. I'll report back pressures before and after primary filter and inline lift pump filter/strainer changes.

It could be an anomaly, or it may be that the pumps were improved in the 100K miles since I bought my truck. I also do a lot of long distance driving, so fewer stop/starts could also play a role in the equation. I really have no idea, so I'll stick with my original statement: There are tradeoffs no matter which way you go, so weigh all the upsides and downsides before you make your decision.

 

[S.Morris]

I got 250k km on original filter mounted pump. It did not fail and was only changed as PM.
Replacement pump failed at 80 K km (50K miles). Replaced with original kept spare. Drove 2000 miles home and removed original (again kept as spare) and installed new one (at the time bought 2 from. Geno’s for 100.00 ea.) Now at 435K km still going strong and have one new and original still in reserve. Only takes a few min to change and a failure of the in tank pump will cost MUCH more to replace when / not if it fails eventually. Changing an intake pump is a poor option in a remote area. I feel more comfortable keeping the original setup to my 04.