Sluggo, plastic tank, empty as far as possible to remove weight. Not all that big a deal, but..... If you have the means it is easier to lift the bed. Which ever way unhook the filler tube and vent at the filler end. Push in the fuel lines to be able to squeeze the clips that release the fittings. be sure you know what to do to undo the electrical plug because you can't see it. That's why I like to lift the bed. You have to undo the plug and lines before the tank will drop far enough to see well. But I'm sure you will find crud in the strainer even if the tank appears clean to the eye.

 

got the tank out. the front strap required removing a couple of the carrier bolts, major pain!
I think I kinked the draw line right behind the "quick connect" not sure if that will be a problem or not...

The tank does appear spotless. The "canister" seemed pretty clean too. It's a very strange bird that seems to be two parts spring loaded together somehow. Perhaps that is how it stays planted on the bottom of the tank.

I was able to take the double screen bottom piece off. The bottom "screen" is intact but I don't see any goop on it. It's so fine I can't tell if it's cloggeg up or not. The upper screen is torn, and I do see some "dust" around the edge.

The bottom Puck (for lack of a better word) has little port like things that are spring loaded. If I remove the torn screen, the little port things will have to go.
Are they crucial parts?

on the top there is a little rubber cap clamped on to something. The rubber is old, dried and cracking. Is it a key piece?

There is also a port that is just there with nothing hooked to it and it's very dirty. Any idea what it does?

Finally, my thought is to just remove the upper screen and the weird ports... And put an inline filter right before the lift pump.

I'm a little bummed because I was hoping to find the "smoking gun" that would explain my pressure fluctuations, but I didn't find anything glaring...

 

Let us know how you come out, I'm about to do the same thing but I will be modifying the canister to accept the AirDog hookup. I plan on using a motorcycle lift and some 2 x 4's. I'm not looking forward to it either but it cost so much to take it to a shop and in my area you have Larry, Moe and Curley working in them. That sounds rude but it's true, I even change my own oil to make sure I don't loose an engine due to loose oil plug.

Good luck and clean out that tank before you re-install.

Danny

 

or just have 3 buddies come out and help you lift it off onto some horse saw stands.

 

I've dropped my tank 2x and the inside has been clean both times. I have just under 300,000 miles on it and I am on my 3rd pump (2nd inline pump).
Once in a while I get low pressure but that may be the guage/ sender, etc.
One way I tested that is I plugged the return line from the inline pump and there was so much pressure it came out the FF canister lid.