Trucks Sunk a few bucks into my old truck… (‘03 F150)

[Jeff B.]

About the time I got my new truck (‘16 in ‘18) my old 2003 F150 was starting to show signs that the fuel pump was giving out. It’d be hard starting, but toggling the ignition would get the pump running.

A few months ago, it finally gave up the ghost. I found a guy that had good recommendations and was mobile, got an estimate and had him change out the pump.

If your not familiar, the generally accepted ways to change the fuel pump out are to remove the bed or drop the tank. He did it via the tank. Took him about four hours, but once done and buttoned up, first touch of the key started it up.

I’d replaced two of the older Michelin LT2’s with a couple of Michelin Defenders (deal from Michelin when I lost one LT) and will get it inspected (lapsed last month) and registered (same) and start running it for errands again.

It got 127k on it and has mostly been a really good truck. Single cab, long bed with LWB, it rides nice on the highway. My daughters fiancé will be selling his F150 (5.4 8) back to Ford, it’s 3 months old and is an absolute POS. They must have made it Friday afternoon after a liquid lunch or fashion show () as they had in Chicongo when I was there, so I decided to bring the old warhorse back on line. I’m sure they’ll have need of the truck every couple of weeks and it’ll reduce the miles on the new(er) truck.

I think the wife is a bit unhappy with my not only keeping it but doing some rehab work. Oh well, I like having an extra vehicle around.



Jeff B.

 

[Sterling]

Mobile mechanic is what I do on the side... I also own a bunch of cars much to my neighbors chagrine... But I love my classics and my wife loves them too, and love wrenching and wish it was a mainline and not a sideline gig but what can you do?
Glad you got it running again, I hate seeing perfectly good vehicles going to the yard.

 

[Marie]

It's always good to have a second truck. Or 3 or 4

 

[Millwright]

Had the upper seal melt on the pump assembly in the lower tank on my 3/4t Suburban.

I was on the way to LA from Houston, towing a big box trailer.

Couldn't fill up all the way or gas would leak out.

Got to the hotel we were staying at for this project and changed it out, right there in the parking lot.

Put the front tires up on the curb for clearance and dropped it on my chest.

Fortunately, I was able to run the tank down to almost empty.

 

[Walrus]

About the time I got my new truck (‘16 in ‘18) my old 2003 F150 was starting to show signs that the fuel pump was giving out. It’d be hard starting, but toggling the ignition would get the pump running.

A few months ago, it finally gave up the ghost. I found a guy that had good recommendations and was mobile, got an estimate and had him change out the pump.

If your not familiar, the generally accepted ways to change the fuel pump out are to remove the bed or drop the tank. He did it via the tank. Took him about four hours, but once done and buttoned up, first touch of the key started it up.

I’d replaced two of the older Michelin LT2’s with a couple of Michelin Defenders (deal from Michelin when I lost one LT) and will get it inspected (lapsed last month) and registered (same) and start running it for errands again.

It got 127k on it and has mostly been a really good truck. Single cab, long bed with LWB, it rides nice on the highway. My daughters fiancé will be selling his F150 (5.4 8) back to Ford, it’s 3 months old and is an absolute POS. They must have made it Friday afternoon after a liquid lunch or fashion show () as they had in Chicongo when I was there, so I decided to bring the old warhorse back on line. I’m sure they’ll have need of the truck every couple of weeks and it’ll reduce the miles on the new(er) truck.

I have a '98 Silverado that I keep handy; had to replace the fuel pump a while ago and decided to remove the bed, as the fuel tank was almost full and I didn't have the means to empty it. Anyways, that went ok but I think OReillys sold me a bad fuel pump. I'm going to have to put in another one now and don't look forward to it as it's kind of a PITA regardless of how it's done.

 

[Millwright]

I have a '98 Silverado that I keep handy; had to replace the fuel pump a while ago and decided to remove the bed, as the fuel tank was almost full and I didn't have the means to empty it. Anyways, that went ok but I think OReillys sold me a bad fuel pump. I'm going to have to put in another one now and don't look forward to it as it's kind of a PITA regardless of how it's done.

Do your troubleshooting and make sure it's getting power before diving in.

Check the chevy truck forums.

Also, you may be able to pull the fuel out with an old school electric pump.

Intercept the line up at the motor end and pump it down.

I had to do this when I did the injector pump on my truck. That said, I don't have a lift pump in the tank. I think it will pull through one tho.

 

[Jeff B.]

In troubleshooting this, I did replace the fuel pump relay, hoping that the $20.00 part would fix it, with no joy…

I really knew the Fuel Pump was going out, it just took me a bit to get around to it.

That’s a drag. Any way you look at it, it’s a major project.

Jeff B.

 

[Sterling]

When I started this side gig I bought a package deal of two ford f250 trucks for 2500, one a 95 styleside reg cab long bed, the other a 93 reg cab service bed... The service truck was running the other wasn't... We got the 95 running, changed the oil and away we went to drive home almost a thousand miles... Both trucks had sat up for years... Both front tanks needed new fuel pumps so we ran off the rear tanks... Was quite the adventure... The rear pump went out on the service truck, we had to drop the tank in a parking lot to swap it out, front tank had a hole in it and needed to be replaced...
Needless to say it was quite the adventure, now they're both fixed up and run great, new tires, new front tanks and pumps... Tune ups... Belts... Brought them back to life.
Of course the service truck only gets 11mpg but we can't have it all right?

 

[Jeff B.]

Ha... sometimes you have to play catch up, once your there, those oldies are usually very dependable.

I know I'm going to catch up a few thing, but its running good on its fresh gas. I think I'm going to start filling it at Buccee's which still sells pure gas.

That and a can of Seafoam every other tank or so.

Jeff B.

 

[bbbuddy]

I think it's funny you're talking about "old trucks" from the 90s. Those are "new trucks" to me!

 

[Sterling]

Those are actually my newest vehicles... I also own two 73 fomoco products... And two 88 vehicles... Another few weeks I'm picking up a 66 Mercury Monterey Breezeway sedan....

 

[Millwright]

In troubleshooting this, I did replace the fuel pump relay, hoping that the $20.00 part would fix it, with no joy…

I really knew the Fuel Pump was going out, it just took me a bit to get around to it.

That’s a drag. Any way you look at it, it’s a major project.

Jeff B.

The worst part is dreading it.

Once you dive in, it ain't so bad.

Just a matter of getting started.

 

[West]

I have a '98 Silverado that I keep handy; had to replace the fuel pump a while ago and decided to remove the bed, as the fuel tank was almost full and I didn't have the means to empty it. Anyways, that went ok but I think OReillys sold me a bad fuel pump. I'm going to have to put in another one now and don't look forward to it as it's kind of a PITA regardless of how it's done.

I replaced the pump in my F250 van in less than a hour, and didn't drop the tank.

Simply pull heavy matt in the back of the van, measure twice, drilled small location hole, then quickly cut a larger hole with aviation snips, just big enough to remove pump assembly and replace. Replacing the fuel filter and replacing that almost took just as long. Fabricated small access panel and screwd it down to the floor, replaced mat.

ETA, the local ford dealership wanted $1,480 to replace it. Including parts. Plus they said I needed to have a valve job done. That was 25000 miles ago and the beast is running great!

 

[Jeff B.]

You just need to be sure you’ve got that hole in the right spot!



Jeff B.

 

[Sterling]

*starts to cut it with a grinder.... Boom!*

 

[Marie]

I replaced the pump in my F250 van in less than a hour, and didn't drop the tank.

Simply pull heavy matt in the back of the van, measure twice, drilled small location hole, then quickly cut a larger hole with aviation snips, just big enough to remove pump assembly and replace. Replacing the fuel filter and replacing that almost took just as long. Fabricated small access panel and screwd it down to the floor, replaced mat.

ETA, the local ford dealership wanted $1,480 to replace it. Including parts. Plus they said I needed to have a valve job done. That was 25000 miles ago and the beast is running great!

Dh did the same to his daily driver

 

[West]

Dh did the same to his daily driver

Why Ford didn't put a access in the floor is because their repair shops need the business.

 

[Marie]

Why Ford didn't put a access in the floor is because their repair shops need the business.

Yes I agree. His was a Mazda so same as a ford. Us rednecks don't like to pay shop prices, when we can do it ourselves that's good beer money for him!

 

[West]

Yes I agree. His was a Mazda so same as a ford. Us rednecks don't like to pay shop prices, when we can do it ourselves that's good beer money for him!

Amen!