mysterystench

the fuel gauge in my 1997 CTD is dead, How hard is this to replace or possibly fix?? and where would you reccomend getting the replacement??

clutch1

Not hard at all to replace, just dont handle a full tank. I am sure there is a way to actually make the original sending unit operate without buying a new one, just havn't taken a real good look at one there is always room for improvement. Someone will chime in with a mod im sure.

Scramblinman

Just put a new fuel level sending unit in my 97 a couple of weeks ago. Bought it from a local dealer for $60~. Dropping the tank and doing the work took me about 2 hours start to finish. To me the worst part was getting the retaining ring of off the intank module on the fuel tank itself. None of the local stores had a strap wrench large enough, so I wound up using a tie down strap cinched tightly around it and a mallet to tap on the buckle to loosen that darn ring.

infidel

I've found tilting the bed to be much easier, then you don't have to worry about the tank level. Just remove the bolts on the driver's side that hold the bed down and loosen the pass side, remove the fill and vent hoses. Two people can easily lift the bed the 16" it takes to get at the sender or you can jack it, come along, etc.

Don't let the dealer try and tell you that you have to replace the $300 module, many try. The sender is available separately for $45-60.