4Runner Fuel Pump Replacement Without Dropping the Fuel Tank

My friend Robert has been driving his 2004 Toyota 4Runner for a few years without knowing how much fuel is in his tank due to a bad fuel level sender. We figure out a way to change it very quickly without dropping the fuel tank. Takes less than 45min

[@johnnybarbar7435]

Viewers please forget that you saw this method. Just drop the tank after disconnecting the quick connectors through the easy access port provided.

[@ApowerRO]

im about to do this right now.

[@wolfeadventures]

@@ApowerROdid you do it? How bad was it?

[@1999tacotrd]

Lol work smart not harder. F*** anyone who thinks dropping the tanks the only way

[@kurtisbeckerle3567]

@@1999tacotrdthis isn’t smarter. This is a hack job. Dropping the tank on a 4Runner is very simple and if you can’t do that then just pay a professional.

[@1999tacotrd]

@@kurtisbeckerle3567 I work smarter not harder. U can drop the tank if u want. I give 2 shlts if its a hack job. Saved me 2 hrs of time and busted knuckle 😆

[@tyronnfields7945]

Thatz crazy using an old part especially a fuel pump or alternator..etc.

[@blessedlife93]

Disconnect. Drop the tank. How many times do you think you’ll be pulling the pump??

[@afterhoursfab]

Could be often when installing used parts!

[@w650dave1]

Great video, my fuel pump was acting up on my 05 V8, so I followed your lead & replaced it. However, I cut three lines to make a good size U shape access hole & bent the steel up 90-degrees against the back seat if you can picture that. Swapped the module & just bent the steel back down & hammered the edges to make it look a little smoother. I just used tin snips to cut the steal, less of mess. I'll probably seal the cut edges up with something classy like duct tape :). Thanks again

[@SleepRGarage]

Well done. I hope this video helped you save time and money. Thanks for watching friend.👍👍👍👍

[@josedejesus2557]

Dave, I have 2004 4runner as well and it has the same problem. Can you take a pix of the three lines that you cut? I am trying to minimize the cut. Thanks

[@hughchristianson4080]

I ended up cutting my access panel with a "sheetmetal nibbler".... it was the first time I've ever used one and it worked very well. I highly recommend using a sheet metal nibbler mostly for how they do not create any red hot metal fragments, Sparks or accidental cutting through fuel lines or wires. Also, the little "niblets" were almost exactly the same size & very easy to keep track of, clean up was not that bad. Didn't have so many tiny pieces of micro-fragment metal shavings to keep track of, like what is sometimes left behind after Sawzall or cutting wheel method.

[@jerrywells3571]

I'm going to try this I'll let y'all know.....

[@billbob9304]

CAUTION: Do not drop your trouble light, or anything else that could cause a spark when working on your FUEL system!

[@JD-ml7cg]

It wont do anything. All you will see is a small flame 🔥 dancing in the gas tank. It explodes in the movies tho

[@billyoung4089]

Did the exact thing to my 90 4runner a few years ago. Only cut 3 sides and bent the piece up. Made some little swivel clips to hold it back in place.

[@andrewheneks9220]

Everyone talking about having a fire start from sparks and the shavings of the medal going in the tank and all this other shit. Just use fuckin snips and cut the shit. Literally wires cutters will cut that shit. You don't have to use a saw. It's sheet medal shit will cut easy as fuck

[@michaeldiaz754]

Always clean the shavings before you remove the pump. You don’t want those shavings in the tank.

[@armondhammer9]

lol. always, like this is a common repair method. this is a hack and you are what you eat.

[@1999tacotrd]

Another thing I would suggest is stuffing a wet towel down there and cover everything before cutting if your useing a angel grinder. Don't want a run away spark to somehow ignite the gas tank

[@myanon6671]

It's harder to do this than just to drop the gas tank.

[@bodom_etherealcomics]

That’s what I was thinking, this looked way more complicated than dropping the tank.

[@ApowerRO]

Its not even close to as hard to do this as it is to drop the fuel tank in a 4th gen 4runner. Make a video and prove it. First you have to have to room to support the gas tank while lowering it and that requires lifting a 5500lb suv in the air the height of the fuel tank and support method. I dont have a professional lift or even jack stands. Second every bolt on mine is rust welded and the strap will need replaced. I can assume every seal and snap ring I run into is going to explode under any force. I just paid for my fuel pump to be replaced and it cost me 2200$. I am done relying on dumb asses with 50k shops opinions. You guys know how to finance repair equipment and overcharge people for having that equipment. In turn the manufacturers made shit like this 4runners full pump acces port being just small enough to make it completely rediculous. Along with the emissions systems manufacturers clearly designed shit to fail and few good shops remain who wont take advantage of people because of how important vehicles are to our lives.

[@jimmypaxton9790]

​@ApowerRO not to mention without said car lift and no way to drain the tank as is my situation, idk if it's possible to lift a 3/4 full tank alone at that angle. I'm gonna cut a bigger hole lmao.

[@1999tacotrd]

Shhhiiittt it's wayyyyy harder to drop a gas tank vs cutting a access hole

[@petezoppoth4363]

Thats a Butcher job for sure, waaay too much cutting involved. You could have dropped the tank easily in that same amount of time. 🤷

[@sonnyjadun1169]

That is not correct. With rusty bolt in Michigan and laying on your back, it quite an endeanvour. This is way easy. Also, gas tank needs to be emptied, especially if you have a bad pump.

[@tombstone2826]

Sloppy work ! To LAZY to drop the tank ?

[@mxridercrf450]

I would just drop the tank and clean it at the same time also clean the inside of the frame and paint or spray some rust protection.

[@encinobalboa]

Good job. If you have a 4Runner available at the junkyard, cut out the access port that is larger than the cut in your car so you can cover it. Sender is usually the problem but not always. Rarely, the cluster fuel gauge is bad. That was the fix for my 03.

[@justinblas7814]

having this issue right now on my new to me 03 v8. anyway to determine if its the sender or cluster fuel gauge?

[@encinobalboa]

@@justinblas7814 I could not figure out how to determine if cluster gauge or sender was bad. I got a junkyard cluster from an 04 for my 03 and that solved the fuel gauge issue. 04 cluster is slightly different from 03 cluster but mostly works. IIRC, V8 cluster is different from V6 cluster because of AWD.

[@JesseRizo]

Great video man 👍 left a like Met you at black market window tint event thanks for the air freshener 🤙

[@vinceflores7178]

Thanks alot and no problem.

[@budroberts5929]

Do this OUTDOORS where ground slopes away not toward ignition source (gas fumes are heavier than air, so fumes flow downhill). 2. Please show how you cut that metal. I hope it was scissor style tool NOT GRINDER because grinders make a bazillion red hot sparks. Also TELL people to not use grinder.

[@SleepRGarage]

Thanks for the input, friend🙏👍✌

[@smedleybutler1969]

I just changed the pump on my 2002 Honda odyssey and the pump came right out the access hole no problem,WTH was Toyota thinking with this design?

[@yellowcake369]

So easy, just wondering about changing mine on my 2006 before it goes...Not going to last forever, just wondering if I should, or just wait.

[@SleepRGarage]

Well there's always that old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Thanks for watching friend.

[@budroberts5929]

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Most fuel gauges last 500,000 miles. Besides it's dangerous opening a fuel tank

[@goride365]

Did you guys do the filter too? Or know how to get to it?

[@Melissa-qe8qd]

bro your fired how did you not show us how you took off the locking plastic ring.

[@dirtbikechopper2012]

I`m replacing the pump now in my 4th gen. The problem I`m having is the lock ring won`t budge. I`m thinking about breaking out the Dremel tool and cut that bitch in half and order a new one from Rock Auto.

[@SleepRGarage]

Sounds like a great idea. Do it to it. 👍

[@KendrasEdge757]

As late as this comment for this older video is, it’s still an Absolutely dumb idea….the first is that he allowed himself to be convinced of cutting out a bigger access hole for this. Even at the end he’s tryin to convince him that he made the right decision and he knows that he didn’t lol Second is using a USED fuel pump. He should’ve gone with a NEW Toyota fuel pump and probably wouldn’t have to do this job again. To each their own, but no need to add to the risks of rust issues. Toyota, at this point, has basically perfected the metal and steel treatments for preventing rust, as well as most paint issues down the line. Just a bad idea imo, as well as lazy, to do the job this way. Just drop the tank, after running it as low as possible, it’s not that hard of a job really and the right way to do the job. God bless~

[@USMC_BABE38]

My dad has a recall on his 09 Toyota four runner the recall says that the fuel pump can stop working when driving and the truck will stop running while driving it should my dad spend the money to have it fixed or wait until they can find an alternative solution for it

[@SleepRGarage]

If its a recall, it should be free. If its a TSB (tech service bulletin) he would have to pay. If its not broke, don't fix, the problem with ours was a bad level sensor which is part of the assembly. Ultimately, its up to your Dad. Thanks for watching.

[@devil262786]

I don't know if that's the route I want to take I think I'd rather just do it the right way and end up finishing 2 hours later they looks like you started at a time and finish at night and that was supposed to be the short route

[@SleepRGarage]

Good observation but there was a few things, I normally film with my phone which does great in low light, it died and I switched to my friends older iPhone, also we stopped to eat, but actually it does only take a out 30 to 45min. Thanks for watching.

[@gordonfuentes808]

Awsum video Looks way ez den dropping da tank Its ok 2 patch dat hole wit anyting cuz da carpet n seat is alredy onit😱😂🤙🏽 Mahaloz 🏝

[@maolor5175]

My 4runner might need a fuel pump replacement too. Do you know what signs did the 4runner show that the fuel pump was in need of a replacement?

[@SleepRGarage]

Well the problem we were having was the fuel level sensor which is attached to the fuel pump assembly. There are only a few symptoms, if you feel like it's losing power at that point you would need to check fuel pressure, also sometimes the car may stall and take a while to start, and the obvious it just stops working, if thats the case you would need to measure the voltage at the connector to see if you have power getting to the pump. Hope this helps, thanks for watching✌

[@zman92630]

Great video, thanks. So, now that your experiment with cutting sheet metal is done, how would you do it exactly? I'm seriously thinking of doing it this way to replace filter but want to cut the metal cleanly so to speak.

[@SleepRGarage]

Hey thanks for watching, if I had to do it again, I would cut a bigger u shape in one cut and bend the metal up and reseal it with like a silicone or something. The sheet metal is very thin and pliable.

[@luis76one]

Thanks for the rough draft. Cut and fold back metal then JB weld after driving it around for a couple days to make sure there are no issues.

[@skribblezxeroz3651]

Hey guys. So was that a z31 behind the toyota? I love em. What yr? 84?

[@SleepRGarage]

Hello, its an 86 Mitsubishi Starion with a Honda K24 swap. If you like Z cars, we are working on two S30 240z. Please subscribe and check them out. Thanks for watching.

[@hectortorres5200]

hii,,, what color is the wire that goes from fuse box to fuel pump through door pillar, i would like to add a kill switch,, I have a 2006 4runner v8,, thanks

[@queerkat69]

It is good there's no fuel. Doing this method with a full tank of gas would cause a huge fuel spill in the car.

[@thresyeflores5934]

What a cool idea👍👍👍

[@nonamebrand8771]

Will it work on 3rd gen 2000 4Runner ? First Generation (1984-1989) Second Generation (1990-1995) Third Generation (1996-2002) Fourth Generation (2003-2009) Fifth Generation (2009-Present)

[@leonardstarling252]

How did you get the ring off ?

[@SleepRGarage]

With a prying bar and a hammer. I lightly tap it loose

[@SteveS-ir4cx]

What's the sun showing at the video you didn't show us how you cut it and what do you use to 🤷

[@phetinsixiengmay9027]

Thank you for sharing bro 👍👍👍👍👍 have an 2003 v8 4Runner with 245k mls. I will try your method 💪

[@SleepRGarage]

Do it to it, probably could have cut a big U shape out and bent it up, but oh well we were experimenting. Thanks for viewing

[@083rt]

By any chance do you know if this is similar to the Toyota sequoia?

[@SleepRGarage]

Sorry, I'm not sure, you might want to lift up the back seat to check if it is similar. Thanks for watching.

[@arunayuven2102]

Thanks 🎉😊

[@YaknJr5]

How did you get the retaining ring off?

[@SleepRGarage]

Yeah sorry should if showed that, I used a prying bar and hammer and lightly tapped it loose and to tightened it back. Thanks for watching.

[@YaknJr5]

Sleep R Garage is it regular thread or reverse threaded?

[@SleepRGarage]

@@YaknJr5 regular lefty loosey

[@scatdawg1]

@@SleepRGarage lightly tapped? Doubt it

[@SleepRGarage]

@@scatdawg1 yes, not too hard, it will come loose ✌

[@trevorjaster4072]

Is the fule level sensor a part of that as well?

[@SleepRGarage]

Yes it is

[@tyronnfields7945]

Yes...its one completed assembly

[@antoniodelacruz6321]

is this putting your safety at risk and gas vapor inside the cabin or the vehicle you are inhaling?

[@lexomotorsports]

Crazy to do that

[@albertosoria9167]

What sucks now is that when it rains there is going to be lots of water going to the inside of the truck bro

[@SleepRGarage]

It's ok. It never rains in California. Hahaha. We are making a plate for it. Thanks for watching.

[@nyiajsawmchannel7373]

U number one I love

[@SleepRGarage]

Thanks for watching ✌

[@chidexmo]

You ain’t giving my car that cut...nah doesn’t work for me

[@TheMissingtime]

get ready for a big fat bill

[@serajk1727]

Anyone try this with sienna?

[@fernandojaimes2746]

Speaking honestly real bad word. You first have to siphon the gas then unplug the gas tank from that access point then drop the tank

[@randy032805]

Wow 😳!! What a smart hack....

[@jameswesley8357]

Can u do the same on a 2001 model anyone know

[@Botoswingleft]

yea you can

[@danelio]

Literally a "hack job"

[@JD-hy6yc]

That skeleton 😂

[@Arthur-eq3tk]

😂 Drop the tank !!!

[@arp5717]

Very professional 👍🏻👍🏻

[@angzlina]

👍 lol

[@SleepRGarage]

I'm glad you liked the video.

[@jessasto947]

I was helping a friend do this with his 4runner and I lost my hand and right ear from the tank explosion. my friend wasnt so lucky :(

[@mytaboolife]

😮 so sorry to hear, how??

[@bjkjoseph]

I heard bull shit went everywhere due to the explosion.

[@jayhockley8841]

Seriously ? So you used a cutter of some kind and it blew up ?? wtf ..

[@zacherykahawai-travis9052]

Dang how’d that happen

[@edgarchapin3351]

Good 👍👍👍👍😊

[@kyleramos7811]

Wow, hack job! Not custom. The video started in the daytime and ended at night. “Goodnight” It seems like it really took the whole day, not “less than 30mins”. Hmmm smells like a gas leak!

[@jonnycompost6242]

This is ridiculous

[@chrismoon8853]

oh joy, another hack job.

[@SleepRGarage]

You know it 👍

[@rx7cl]

Man I was welding the frame on this POS....then finished that...now the gauge is doing this crap...man Toyota sucks 😞.. Nice video though.. thanks

[@jbronson8697]

You obviously don't know what you are talking about

[@rx7cl]

@@jbronson8697 what I'm talking about is forgot to disconnect the battery when welding..was cold af out... and by forgetting I shorted out the pump... shit happens... that's all...but thers was a 2 foot section missing on rear right side... frames suck on these trucks....but thanks for your input.....

[@alexclark1588]

Holy fuck