2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

ANYTHING FROM BUFFING YOUR PAINT TO REPLACING A DASH PANEL
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Topic author
rlyoung
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed May 18, 2016 9:01 am

2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

Post by rlyoung »

Howdy,

Add my attempt to the list.

2001 Passenger Van

1. Cut carpet flap with Weller soldering gun with 10 ga copper wire as tip, hammered to a knife edge. Cuts right through and seals edge as it does so. Cut out padding under carpet with kitchen shears.
2. Drill hole in floor to confirm location over fuel pump
3. Drill 1 in. holes in corners.
4. I used a Milwaukee center cut shears rated for 18 ga. The floor is about 18 ga. The tool wouldn't go 'up' over the humps so drilled a hole in the flats of the humps then it went downhill OK. There was no secondary protective plate over the plastic gas tank.
5. Fastened a 18 ga plate over the hole with sheet metal screws, pre-drilling very carefully so as not to damage the tank or wiring. The plate extended a couple of inches beyond the edges of the hole.
6. Replace padding and flip carpet back down.

Link to a couple of photos (can't figure out how to embed in post):

http://bit.ly/2chkqQ6

(https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q14jb4k3cj6r ... OdDpa?dl=0)

Astrophysics
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Re: 2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

Post by Astrophysics »

Excellent work.
Now that you completed the carpet square cut out , I just thought that you could leave one side of the carpet square intact creating a hinge flap .

AP

Topic author
rlyoung
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed May 18, 2016 9:01 am

Re: 2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

Post by rlyoung »

Thanks. That's what I did--cut 3 sides only. The uncut hinge part is towards the read of the van.

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm
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Re: 2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

Post by Astrophysics »

Whoops, now I looked closer at photo. Great job.

To post picture on this site, I have found that you just browse for the file name of photo by clicking Choose File button. Then add a shirt caption for the photo.
Do not click the Add the file button.
Attachments
2003 AWD Astro with Rola Dart rear hitch mount carrier.
2003 AWD Astro with Rola Dart rear hitch mount carrier.

Topic author
rlyoung
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed May 18, 2016 9:01 am

Re: 2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

Post by rlyoung »

Thanks, I see that attachment process now. I'll give it a try.

Topic author
rlyoung
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed May 18, 2016 9:01 am

Re: 2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

Post by rlyoung »

Here they are.
Attachments
Hole.jpg
done.jpg

Astrophysics
I sleep in my van
Posts: 974
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:23 pm
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: 2001 Astro fuel pump access hatch

Post by Astrophysics »

That is very good work. It will save us time when our fuel pumps fail.
It also makes easy access to fuel pump for off roaders and Overlanders who use their Astros for camping and exploiting.

Thank you.

AP
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