Toyota pickups are reliable vehicles you can drive for years, but to keep them driving well, you need to carefully monitor the different internal components. Years of wear and tear add up, and soon a part like your fuel pump can start failing. Changing the fuel pump in your Toyota pickup is easy, but you need to know how and when to do it to ensure your pickup remains in excellent condition.
Look for Warning Signs
The first step in changing your fuel pump is looking for warning signs that tell you to change the fuel pump. A worn-out fuel pump with a worn-out motor will start making unusual noises when fueling your engine. If you start hearing some high-pitched whining, it could be the gears that have worn out inside the pump. Additionally, your engine will have a much harder time accelerating than normal, so if that sounds like your truck, it may be time to swap the fuel pump.
Remove Everything
After identifying that the issue is your fuel pump, it’s time to get to business. The first step in replacing your fuel pump is draining the fuel and removing the other items that will get in the way of the replacement. That includes removing the following:
- Fuel lines
- Fender liner
- Inside bracket
- Fuel tank
It sounds like a lot, and it can be if you’re not careful. To make the process easier, keep track of everything you’re removing and store them in separate places. Confusing one bolt for another can complicate reassembly later. You should remove the electrical connections first, and then you can remove the bolts keeping the fuel pump attached to the fuel tank. After removing all the equipment keeping the fuel pump in line, it’s time to remove the fuel pump itself.
Install the New Pump
Once everything is out of your truck and disconnected, you can install your new pump. All you need to do is have the right pump for your vehicle and follow the steps from above in reverse. Install the pump and connect it to the fuel tank, then tighten the bolts to keep it in place. From there, you can reinstall the electrical harness and return the fuel tank, reinstalling the brackets that hold it together. Reattach the fuel and fender lines and refill your fuel tank. After everything’s back in place, you should go for a short test drive, listening for unusual noises that could signal incorrect installation or another issue entirely.
Knowing how to change the fuel pump in your Toyota pickup will help ensure the truck you’re driving is safe and will get you where you need to go. But before replacing the fuel pump, you need to find a quality replacement. Here at Yota Shop, we have all the Toyota pickup restoration parts you’ll need—including fuel pumps—so you can get your truck back on the road in no time!