When installing an aftermarket pump, can the in-tank fuel pickup on trucks with the engine mounted lift pump be swapped into trucks with the in-tank mounted fuel pump?

 

I would guess that the filter mounted pumps pickup would swap but I do not know about the engine mounted. I am just guessing since the factory upgrade for the 2004.5 is an intank switched from the stock filter position.

 

I assume it's a drop in replacement, except for the wiring harness connection.

MikeyB

 

I ask because when I get the GDP pump I'd like to use the stock pickup.

 

I looked at a 03/04 truck missing the bed today at work, looks like there is a difference in the retaining ring.

03/04 has a plastic ring that goes around the top of the sending unit, and looks like the top of the tank has a threaded neck it fits over.

05-06 has that metal retaining ring you have to spin to one side to unlock it, fits in a groove.


Look at the instructions for the GDP kits, I think they have pictures of both tanks for comparison.
Im not sure if you can swap them though, it sure would make things easier though

 

Thanks for the info, Stacked. I guess I'll have to do it the hard way like everyone else.

 

Believe me, I thought about it too.
When I do my fuel pump install(either a Holley Black, since I have it lying around, or a Walbro), I had thought about just replacing the sending unit, so I dont have to drill the tank, and to not have to worry about low fuel levels...

Sorry I dont have a solid answer for you though, maybe someone will chime in if they can be swapped.

 

The low fuel level thing is what I'm trying to avoid most. I'm one of those guys that doesn't fill up until the low fuel light comes on. I know I'll run it dry with the aftermarket setup.

 

I usually fill up before 1/4 tank, but I dont like not being able to go lower if absolutely needed...
8mpg just had his fuel pressure drop some when his tank got under 1/4 with his homemade walbro setup.

I considered having the pickup long enough to be placed inside the stock sending unit "cup", just ziptie it in place, BUT im not sure if the cup stays full of fuel without the stock LP running...


Heres a pic of both sending units
05-06

sending unit


03-04

Sending unit


And a candid shot of the inside of the tank

 

SORRY SIR LOOKS LIKE SHE'S PREGNANT !

 

I was kind of thinking if you could just add a fitting to the stock pickup, drill and add a bulkhead in the top of the assembly, and have a hardline that goes down into the cup on the stock assmebly...

Im just wondering if it stays full of fuel without the stock LP running?
If it does, it will help with low fuel levels and wont have to worry about sloshing/picking up foam, etc...

Does anyone know if the cup will remain full with no stock LP sucking fuel into it? or does it not draw fuel into the cup without the LP?

 

If you locate the new pickup tube directly adjacent to the pump's inlet it should work pretty darn close to stock.

Is there any way to get the pump out of the bucket? What I was thinking was use the stock pickup tubes but gut the pump then extend the tube to the pumps inlet.

 

Im just wondering if fuel will remain/fill back up in the cup when the stock LP isnt running.

If you end up pulling the stock LP out, might as well try to adapt an intank unit
Get a intank walbro, see if it would fit in the stock LPs place, it should since there isnt that much of a size difference between the two, only thing you might have to mess with is larger guage wire, instead of the factory 16-18guage? wire, BUT, that might not even be an issue either...

 

If the inlet are in the same place I can't see why not. Whether its the Walbro or the factory unit pumping, as long as they pull the fuel in at the same place there shouldn't be a change in how the cup fills.

 

Yeah, I thought so, I just wasnt sure if the pump drew the fuel into the cup or not, I guess theres a real easy way to check that if you have the pickup assemply out, dump it in a bucket and see what happens
But it shouldnt matter, unless the walbro were to suck out more fuel that the holes that let fuel into the cup can handle...

Have you decided which route to go yet?
Im in the same boat you are, worried about low fuel levels with the glacier, fass, etc, pickups.