Seat bolts / fuel tank troubles

[Dapplecreek]

I'm having no luck removing the front seats, because their bolts are above the fuel tank.

And I don't know how in the world I'm going to bolt in my co-pilot's seat: I'll need to put in all four bolts above the fuel tank.

How do I do this? Drop the tank and cage? Hire a kid with tiny arms and wedge him in above the driveshaft so he can reach?

(2002 Thomas above Freightliner, 11 rows/34', 60 gallon tank per seller)

 

[heathnlaura]

I had a plate on the floor inside which covered a hole in the floor used to access the top of the fuel tank. If I recall, there was plenty of room to put my arm through the hole and plenty of space between the tank and the underside of the floor.

The fuel door for filling is right there too giving even more access to the tight little spaces.

 

[o1marc]

Use a grinder to take off the heads of the bolts and then knock the shafts down.

 

[Dapplecreek]

I had a plate on the floor...

I recall seeing one of those in that vicinity, too! I'll see how that works. Bonus: my wife has itty-bitty-baby tiny hands, too...