Access to Fuel Return on Tank

[Neuner]

I need access to the fuel return line on the tank. Next winter I'll have the time I required to drop it completely and do all of the maintenance that is needed but for now I just need to keep it as quick as I can so my wife doesn't leave me.

I've read up on and understand the procedure but for those of you that have done it, what is the minimum I need to do to gain access just to connect a new line? 4-6" of drop? All the way? Bolts appear fairly reasonable and not thoroughly rusted. Do I have to disconnect the fuel filler and vent hose no matter how little I drop it? Can I drop just the back?

 

[Torxhead]

I have dropped my tank a couple of times and would recommend it just to clean it out and replace all the hoses and fuel pickup sock. The filler and vent hoses do get hard after awhile and should be replaced. On mine I moved the filler up a bit and to the side for easier filling and venting, this also allows me to use less expensive straight fuel filler hoses as shown here: