So I have a 02 XLT and when I fill up gas it only goes to 12 gallons. Even if I hold the nozzle it spills out after 12. But everyone I ask says the tanks only are 16-19 gallons not 12. Not sure what’s wrong.

 

Gas gauge is probably off
General speaking gauge will show Empty when you have 1 to 2 gal left in the tank, called a reserve, 5 gal left is a bit extreme, lol, assuming 17gal tank

Regular cab Rangers have 17gal tank(16.5gal)
Extended cab Rangers have 20gal tank(19.5gal)

Get a 2 or 5gal gas can, fill it, tie if off in the bed
When gauge shows Empty set Trip Odometer
Drive until you run out of gas, write down miles traveled from empty, so you have a general idea how far you can go, if you get 20MPG you could go another 100miles

You have to move the bed up, or off, to access top of gas tank, then pull out fuel pump and adjust the Float Arm to show correct full and empty
That is the only way to adjust the gauge
At 20 years old fuel pump assembly may have been changed before, to a Universal brand, and previous own never adjusted the Float arm

 

Thank you, I would’ve never of thought of having to adjust the float. I’m definitely going to try and see what happens