Besides dropping the differential on my 1989 Firebird, is there an easier way to remove/replace the fuel pump? I cut an access panel thinking the fittings were on top of the pump. But as you probably know, that was not to be. They are about a foot away from the top of the pump. Can I get to the pump's fittings under the car and if I can remove the fittings, is it possible to remove/replace the pump with those long fuel lines through the access panel? (see attached)

Yes do a search on the access panel. A bunch of guys hate that way since its "hacking the car" so you'll get mixed responses. I myself did the access panel method a couple months ago. I used some shears to make the cuts and a small pipe cutter from harbor fright and be sure to use fuel injection hose. Just read your actual thread-after you cut the lines you will be able to pull the whole pump assembly out without dropping the rear.

Thanks armybyrd!!!

It really only takes around 4hrs to drop the tank and have it back up and going.

You don't have to drop the diff. Just disconnect it and jack the rear up while the axle hangs. Disconnect the shocks andother suspension parts. once it's up high enough getting the tank out is "relatively" easy. Do a 4th gen tank swap while it's up!! haha

Yes you can reach the lines from under the car. It took me like 2 hours to get the tank out. I Only removed the heatshield, panhard bar and the tank straps then jacked up the car real high. Didn't have to mess with shocks, diff or exhaust. Kinda tricky to wiggle out tank and get it back in, but it came out. ONLY to find out my FP was OK. . Dam I was pissed. Had a problem were FP wasn't coming on. But yeah not hard at all.

Did mine over the course of a weekend with a jack. two stands, and a bunch of beer. Actual time involved was probably four hours over the two days. I also coated the outside of my tank while it was out.

Hardest part of the entire job was getting the filler neck back through the hole.