Update on this. Sorry it took so long to get back to y'all on this I really like all the info and advice here and need to make it a point to be here more often even when i don't have issues!!! Any way my trooper finally died on me one day, I had it towed to Japan Auto here in Greenville,SC and they did a fantastic job for me. It turns out that I had about 2" of sludge in the fuel tank. They dropped, drained and rinsed the tank, installed a new pump and sending unit. And SHAZAM I am running smooth and true! I no longer have a 40 minute leash.LOL. And my fuel gauge is working properly. While I try to fix what i can I'm glad I let someone else drop the gas tank and clean it out.
Thanks to everyone who has offered solutions to my posts.