I understand your concerns. There will not be fuel and fumes. Once the pump is replaced it's basically sealed up. I can then do a mild wash down of the area. The top of the tank in that area will get covered with welding blanket. I will probably just opt to do some TIG spots as needed (1 per inch, etc) and then seal up the rest. Or I might flange the cutout piece, butyl rubber under the flange, stick it, then just tack flange to body in a few places to hold it (making it ez for another entrance in the future). The original access panel will remain, etc.
I am a pro TIG'er
No, there is no way to drop the tank just a bit. There a bunch of hoses and connectors that need to be undone, then the tank has to be taken out completely.
Took just 40min to get to the access panel under the carpet (me going slow and took both seats out, etc). Why Toyota did not make a real FP Replacement access panel is beyond words.
Yes, I have fire extinguisher, but I don't think it will be used
