[JL8Jeff]

I know my old 86-88 Toyota 4Runners had an access panel under the passenger side rear seat floor. It was just sheetmetal bolts/screws holding the panel in place with weatherstripping to seal out water and vapors. The tank sending unit/fuel pump was accessed through that. I don't think there is anything wrong with the access panel, it's just the method used to create the access. Gas isn't dangerous, gas vapors are. It's good to see you found the problem.