1974-gas Tank Removal

I tried to take down the gas tank of my 74 to reconnect the loose wire of the sending unit (and check it out also). Worked for about 3 hours for nothing. Got the plate out, the tank's screws out and finally, could never be able to get it out. Nor enough space, not enough play. Even the suspension blades were in the way, I could not free the seam, the tank hitting on both sides. I now think that the rear bumper should also be removed. This is a pretty tough job as the first big bolt I worked on was kind of welded. I abandoned. At this point, the hole in the trunk looks a feasible alternative to me...
Is there something I am missing? How do you get this gas tank down? Thanks

 

It's a struggle, but it can be removed. The rear "bumper" is actually a cross-member and riveted in place. Trying to remove that would be a mistake, IMO.

 

I don't have a 74 . but to lower tank
you got to shift tank to right . then down on left
fill necks is above frame rail on right

 

I have had mine on my 75 out several times.. It can be done. On the driver side remove the small hoses. These metal tubes always get hung up on the frame. I drop the skid then the tank. I remove the filler hose and siphon as much fuel out as I can. I also use a floor jack under the tank. The worst are the two bolts on the rear corners. Access from the wheel well and brail.

If you are just working on the wires, drop the rear down on the jack and access from there.. Doesn't have to come all the way down for the wiring.

 

Just as Zila said.

 

I'm opting for the access hole in the bed of the tub.

 

Now that I can't sleep, I'm thinking now about the reason I could not get the tank out. Could it be because the rear was not jacked threrefore the suspension completely collapsed maybe leaving less room to get the tank down? Thanks

 

Maybe. I put my heap on jack stands. I like lotsa room to work. I take the tires off too.

 

yea thats what i have done on my 74 same as Zila. Siphon as much fuel out as you can, remove the skid plate, filler hose on the right and return lines on the left i have a body lift and could reach the wiring and disconnected that as well, put a jack stand or 2 with a wood block to support the tank and start removing the bolts mine i think had 2 in the back and a big bolt in the front center. Like said above you do have to do wiggle the left side down fist because of the filler connections on the right. I found a pic of when i took mine out. you can see the 2 bolt holes in the corners. I figured out real fast why my sending unit didn't work. When you get it dropped its not a bad idea to look inside and flush out any junk in the tank mine had some debris in it.

 

Mine actually had a brass OEM float. Replaced it with a plastic one.

 

I've taken mine out same as Zila and Mountain Goat a couple of times, but I've never needed to jack it up and take the tires off, but I have 2.5 lift and 33's. Maybe that's the difference?

 

Thanks for the replies guy. Will try again soon.

 

I've had the tank out of both intermediates in the last two months. Unless your body mounts are collapsed there shouldn't be much to it outside of some wrestling. The 74 is stock, the 75 pretty lifted soa. Both sitting flat on the ground. Slide left and slightly forward towards the axle, drop as the fill tube clears the frame.