Cherryokee

Rustbelt, 2000 WJ, currently replacing fuel tank shield alone and I have hit the wall. I ran down the fuel supply to just under "E" (there's likely another 1-2 gallons inside). In my attempt to partially dismantle the original tank/shield assembly I have threaded ratchet straps through and between the tank and shield. The tank is now suspended by straps and the shield, with floor jack underneath, appeared ready to be lowered away from the still fully connected tank, but I cannot free the steel tank straps. I backed away from my dilemma perplexed, tired, aching and hungry, leaving the job in it's current state so I can pause, think, regroup and ask for tips/guidance as I ponder having painted myself into a corner, so to speak.

The steel tank straps are preventing me from dropping the shield as they pass over the top and front of the tank. Each strap is locked under weight/tension into a keyway. Visualize and upside down "T", where the clearance slot for extracting the steel strap is ~1.25" from the top. There is not enough wiggle room to coax the strap far enough to release it through the keyway. I think that if I raise the shield to cradle the tank then release the ratchet straps such that the tank is resting within the shield, I can then lower the jack to gain strap wiggle clearance and get them out of the keyways BUT how far is too far before fuel lines and etc. are stressed potentially to the breaking point? What do you think? What would you do at this point?

Cherryokee

" There is not enough wiggle room to coax the strap far enough to release it through the keyway. I think that if I raise the shield to cradle the tank then release the ratchet straps such that the tank is resting within the shield, I can then lower the jack to gain strap wiggle clearance and get them out of the keyways BUT how far is too far before fuel lines and etc. are stressed potentially to the breaking point?"

I solved my puzzle. Alternating ratchet straps and jack-wrangling were the answer. There's more than I thought in "workable length" to the lines/tubes, within reason, caution and repeated visual inspection is advised. The new tank shield was successfully installed. She finally has a nice tight bottom again. Props to "D&E in the Garage" on YouTube.

Nonetheless, removing the old tank straps and installing new are the hugest PITA throughout the entire job (Doug of D&E glossed over that part in his video). The trick was to bend them near the slot and twist/wiggle them, using the recesses between frame-rail and spare tire tub for wiggle space. Persuaders helped, such as a ballpeen hammer and a small thin prybar, for coaxing the tabs into and aligning/engaging the slots (the Dorman straps are a very tight fit, the hammer was used to here drive the tabs up to the slot tops).