Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I'm not sure if this idea came about at all before, but here goes.
When my buddy Marc and I were gonna change the mechanical lift pump on his 1998 12v, he came up with the idea that we go through the fender instead of under the hood and pulling fuel lines, wires out. There was a lot more work involved to remove and reinstall everything if we had gone through from under the hood. We can't really see very well from up there as well. Going through the fender allowed us to see, make sure the surface is clean, fixed a fuel heater wire while we were at it and everything else is accessible as well. Also we were able to see the cam lobe and have it in the right place for easier reinstallation of lift pump without the use of studs.
We jacked up the truck (safety stands mandatory!!) and pulled the left front wheel off.
Take out the fender cover, try and get the tabs out nicely or have new ones ready in case they break.
Now looking at the front shock, get a marker or scribe, start on the right side of shock about 5 or so inches up from the frame, go right about 8 inches and back down. Do not cut yet!
Look under the hood at the inner fender and see what wires or whatever is there, is moved out of the way.
Using a grinder with a cutoff wheel, or die grinder, sawzall or whatever method works, cut along the line that was made. Once the piece is out, use whatever to smoothen down the sharp areas. Don't want cuts and bloody skin.
Now with the fender opened up, you can see the lift pump directly ahead. Only now you can actually access the fuel heater, starter, and anything in that area without disturbing any fuel lines which has the potential to leak.
When whatever is needed to be fixed or replaced, just reinstall the fender cover and it will cover that hole you just made.
No problem.
This job took us just over an hour including thinking and planning to replace lift pump. Next time is a whole lot faster as we now have the experience.
I hope this article helps make everyone else's job go easier too. This was Marc's idea and I completely agree with him.
I also hope there are no issues if someone decides to try as well.
Shawn
Vice-President - Ontario Dodge Diesel Owners
"The Ontario Chapter of the TDR"
Turbo Diesel Register
When my buddy Marc and I were gonna change the mechanical lift pump on his 1998 12v, he came up with the idea that we go through the fender instead of under the hood and pulling fuel lines, wires out. There was a lot more work involved to remove and reinstall everything if we had gone through from under the hood. We can't really see very well from up there as well. Going through the fender allowed us to see, make sure the surface is clean, fixed a fuel heater wire while we were at it and everything else is accessible as well. Also we were able to see the cam lobe and have it in the right place for easier reinstallation of lift pump without the use of studs.
We jacked up the truck (safety stands mandatory!!) and pulled the left front wheel off.
Take out the fender cover, try and get the tabs out nicely or have new ones ready in case they break.
Now looking at the front shock, get a marker or scribe, start on the right side of shock about 5 or so inches up from the frame, go right about 8 inches and back down. Do not cut yet!
Look under the hood at the inner fender and see what wires or whatever is there, is moved out of the way.
Using a grinder with a cutoff wheel, or die grinder, sawzall or whatever method works, cut along the line that was made. Once the piece is out, use whatever to smoothen down the sharp areas. Don't want cuts and bloody skin.
Now with the fender opened up, you can see the lift pump directly ahead. Only now you can actually access the fuel heater, starter, and anything in that area without disturbing any fuel lines which has the potential to leak.
When whatever is needed to be fixed or replaced, just reinstall the fender cover and it will cover that hole you just made.
No problem.
This job took us just over an hour including thinking and planning to replace lift pump. Next time is a whole lot faster as we now have the experience.
I hope this article helps make everyone else's job go easier too. This was Marc's idea and I completely agree with him.
I also hope there are no issues if someone decides to try as well.
Shawn
Vice-President - Ontario Dodge Diesel Owners
"The Ontario Chapter of the TDR"
Turbo Diesel Register
