The Atlas 870-0002 is a direct-replacement fuel tank pickup foot and strainer screen repair kit engineered for 1994–2003 Ford 7.3L Powerstroke diesel trucks and Excursions. Designed to replace the failure-prone original equipment plastic intake assembly at the bottom of the in-tank fuel sending unit, this kit features an OE-grade fuel-resistant polymer pickup foot, a fine mesh filtration screen, an integrated umbrella check valve, and a retaining lock clip. Atlas manufactures this repair kit to restore uninterrupted fuel delivery down to the absolute bottom of the tank without requiring the replacement of the entire costly fuel sending unit assembly.

Sudden engine sputtering, bucking, hesitation under throttle, or the classic "running out of fuel at a quarter tank" syndrome are what this repair kit cures. Over decades of heat cycles and constant immersion in modern ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and biodiesel, the factory Ford plastic pickup foot ("duckbill") becomes extremely brittle and snaps off. Once broken, the open suction tube sits roughly two to three inches above the tank floor, sucking air into the fuel lines whenever the tank drops to approximately 1/4 full. This introduced air aerates the fuel supply, causing high-pressure injector cavitation, low fuel pressure, and severe misfires. The Atlas 870-0002 snaps directly onto the factory fuel sender return/suction manifold, ensuring positive fuel pickup to the last gallon while filtering out tank sediment. It is a fuel pickup foot and screen repair kit only; the fuel sending unit, float arm, fuel level rheostat, and tank lock rings are sold separately.

It fits 1994–2003 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty and OBS trucks, as well as 2000–2003 Ford Excursions equipped with the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel engine across mid-ship and aft-axle fuel tanks.

Fitment

• 1994–1997 Ford F-250 / F-350 7.3L Powerstroke (Front Mid-Ship & Rear Tanks)
• 1999–2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke (Mid-Ship Tank)
• 1999–2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke (Mid-Ship Tank)
• 1999–2003 Ford F-450 / F-550 Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke (Mid-Ship & Aft-Axle Tanks)
• 2000–2003 Ford Excursion 7.3L Powerstroke (Rear Tank)
• Direct replacement for broken, brittle, or missing factory fuel pickup feet
• Direct replacement for Ford OEM part numbers E5TZ-9J306-BA, E5TZ9J306BA, and Dorman 904-419
• Fixes the notorious 7.3L "runs out of fuel at 1/4 tank" fuel starvation failure
• Manufactured from diesel-safe polymer that resists ULSD and biodiesel embrittlement
• Includes integrated fine-mesh stainless screen, internal rubber umbrella valve, and locking clip
• Rebuilds the bottom of the OEM fuel sending unit without replacing the entire expensive sender
• Fuel pickup foot and screen repair kit only

Lower the fuel tank or unbolt the truck bed to access the top of the fuel tank sending unit, disconnecting all electrical plugs, quick-connect fuel lines, and filler hoses. Unscrew the large lock ring and carefully pull the fuel sending unit out of the tank bore. Inspect the bottom of the steel pickup tube; in most cases, remnants of the rotted OEM plastic foot will be cracked or lying broken at the bottom of the tank. Remove all broken plastic chunks and sludge from the tank floor to prevent future suction blockage. Thoroughly clean the mounting base of the sending unit tube, press the new Atlas 870-0002 pickup foot firmly onto the suction tube until the integrated retainer tabs snap securely into place, and verify the small umbrella bypass valve is seated flat. Clean the tank sealing surface, install a fresh fuel sender Viton O-ring, reinstall the sending unit into the tank, and tighten the retaining lock ring before reconnecting fuel lines and electrical harnesses.