79 Gas Tank Removal

Ugh. Tried, unsuccessfully to get the tank off. Looking for any tricks besides taking the darn body off. Those bolts inside the chassis are a ^$%^%* to get off. Next question...looked at the fuel filter today and saw a bunch of metal shavings in it. That's basically why I'm going after the tank. Anyone seen that before? My guess is it's the line doing it?!?! 15 years without being run, and no, I haven't tried to start it yet.
Thanks!