Hey guys,


I have a '04 duramax(extended cab) and I was wondering how exactly you all dropped the tank? I got a jack up under it with a piece of plywood and tryed jacking the tank up enough to release the straps but the truck itself started coming off the ground after a bit. So, i was wondering if there was some special trick to this or not?


Thanks,


Chad

Hey Freak!


Just installed the Nictane on my truck about three weeks ago. I did not have to drop the tank. Just drop the drive shaft so you can see what line to take off and slightly bend down the shield. My line came right off. Make sure you attach the filter head to the bracket before you install it or it will be a booger. Also wrap the line with then tube wrap, its easy to forget. Fill the filter up, about a quart and a half, with fresh fuel and fire her up. I didn't have a sputter or anything. All in all it was about a 4 hour job. Good luckhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif

I dropped the tank, jacking up on the bottom of the tank should release the straps! If you started to lift the truck there is something wrong! This was very easy and made getting to the top of the tank much easier. The tank is plastic, so if you lifted the truck, you did it with only plastic between you and the weight of the truck!! Dropping the shaft is another way to get in there, I didn't think of that, but again dropping the tank was easy for me.

I did neither.


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11384&PN=1

I didn't drop the tank or drive shaft but I did bend the tank sheild a little. Admittingly it was a little dificult to disconnect the tank connector but only because I was 75 years old and had never disconnected one of those connectors. Now that I know how, I think it would be easier.

Hey guys,


Does anybody know a trick to lower it? I have to lower it to access the line. Because on the '04's there is a extension in the shield at the top and it wont bend over to let me unless the tank is dropped about 4 inches or more.





Thanks,


Chad

I put a 2x4 under the tank and jacked till it was snug, then removed the retaining nuts on the straps and dropped the straps enough to unhook them and lowered the tank on the jack. Had to unhook the fill hose. I did it with the tank almost empty and it was very easy. With much fuel in the tank it could be a bear. Run it way low and it shouldn't be a problem. On 2004 LB7 it was impossible to bend the shield down to get to the fuel ine without lowering the tank.

that extra steel plate makes it a bit tougher. at least only 2004 was affected as 2004.5 LLY is even easier than 2001-2003..

How hard would it be to just take the 4 bed bolts out, then disconnect the light plugs, then just slide the truck bed back a couple feet to give yourself complete access to the top of the fuel tank, I would think it would haft to be easer then going threw all the trouble of draining the tank and busting your knuckles removing the straps and dropping the tank.

If I were doing anything in that tight area, I'd do something like what BuckeyeQuicky proposed. Only, I'd remove the bed completely. I do not think you can slide it back enough to work in there. I have had dozens of GM beds off, and I wouldn't think this one would be much different.


Hell, be one of the few with a body lift, and do the Nicktane while the bed is off. Or at least have the 3 extra inches afforded to you by having the body lift. Just a little food for thought!