1984 F250: on the frame in front of the saddle tanks
 

(inside of the frame, drivers side) is either a fuel tank switch or an electric fuel pump. It has fuel lines running to it and connecting to one going up front. It has one wire going to the base of it.

Can anyone tell me which it is?

Secondly, if it is a fuel tank switch and I have removed the front tank, is there any reason I cannot route around that switch and directly to the fuel line going to the carb? (as long as I leave the flip switch set on the rear tank when I route around it)

yep thats your fuel tank selecter. , I would loop a line to the empty ports just incase it starts to leak ,,,,, better yet just bypass valve an run hoses direct to fuel pump