My early 1999 I didn't have room either. No way I was dropping the tank though.

I made two small cuts with a die grinder and bent the metal back out of the way. The I lifted out the pump, did my thing on it, and reinstalled it.
THen I just bent the metal back in place, sealed the two cuts with RTV and put the rubber plug back in.

Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760 356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas! See My Mods '05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red '06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black