Hi, I'm new and have a question. I inherited a '98 Ranger XLT 3.0, auto with 22k miles. It turns over, but does not fire. I'm certain the fuel pump is bad from sitting so long. My question is, what is the easiest way to get to the fuel pump? I have no access to a lift. Is it easier to jack up the front of the bed or drop the tank? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

Most people unbolt the bed then just slide it back about a foot. Dont forget to disconnect the fuel filler neck and taillight wiring. You really can't even drop the tank without moving the bed first anyway since you need access to all the fuel pump connections to drop the tank lol.

 

Cool, I did not know that. My mechanic said they just drop the tank and unhook everything like fuel neck etc. Sounded difficult to me. Never mentioned that they would have to slide the bed back lol. Thanks for the reply!

 

There are some videos on you tube showing one person doing it with some boards

 

I have a 2003 2.3L and am in the middle of this same job. I don't have a lift either. Or a garage or a flat place to park. I need to replace a bed support so I removed the whole bed to do that job too. I'm glad I did, because I found a lot of rot in the frame that I hadn't seen while crawling around underneath.

 

You can hear the fuel pump run for 2 seconds each time key is turned on, you can turn key off then on as many times as you want to, it won't hurt anything, to confirm you hear the HUMMMM of the pump or you do not
Pump is not quiet, you can hear it in the cab, turn radio down, lol.

To confirm a fuel issue, spray gasoline or Quick start(ether) into the engine, remove larger air tube, open throttle and spray some fuel into the engine, you can leave the air tube off if it won't hit fan
Now try to start the engine, its called a 50/50 test
If engine starts and dies its a fuel issue
If it doesn't start its a spark issue
50/50

When a vehicle sits for 6 months or so the fuel in the fuel rail and injectors can evaporate, and that leaves behind a varnish type residue, use Seafoam in the gas tank once you have engine running

Fuel pump wouldn't go bad from just sitting, fuel filter can get clogged up with varnish, only $10-$15 to replace and easier to get to than fuel pump

Yes moving the bed is best if you want to change the fuel pump