OK, I know I'm not supposed to play around with my air conditioning system...but what if I want to get rid of it altogether? Here's the deal: Not long ago I smacked a big northern Wisconsin whitetail at 55 MPH with my '93 Xtra Cab 22RE. I hit it perfectly broadside, with the major point of impact right on the "T" logo on the grill. The deer was very dead, but the truck drove away, despite $2700 worth of damage.

I ended up taking a cash settlement from the insurance company and I've been slowly patching the truck back together myself as time allows. The ugliest situation (aside from the obvious cosmetic issues) is that the A/C condenser smashed into the radiator, beating both up in the process. I plan to replace the radiator, but since the A/C hasn't worked in a few years anyway I'd like to just pull the condenser out and be done with it. My only concern is that by opening up (or sealing) the system the compressor pulley won't "freewheel".

Any ideas on how to do this safely and responsibly? Many thanks, and watch out for deer.

 

If you want to do it legally go to an A/C shop and get them to remove the refrigerant. Then you can remove any part you want. With the compressor you can either leave it, or remove it to save weight. If you remove it you may have to get a different belt. If you leave it there's no probem. The compressor doesn't engage until you turn on the A/C anyway. The only part that'll be turning will be the clutch.

 

Welcome, don't know anything about the 22re but is the fan belt that the compressor uses get used by anything else? If not then just remove the belt.

 

It has it's own belt

 

 

You might do a quick pressure test on the system. When I check mine I found there was no pressure left in the system. I guess everything had leaked out over the years (turned out to be a hole in one of the hard lines at the evap).

I've kept the compressor on the engine for ultimate use as an air compressor.

 

i would have to guess that the a/c system has already emptied itself with the "head butt to the grill area" that animal gave. take off one of the caps on the shrader valve (where they fill the a/c) theres a valve stem in there. press it down a little and see if there is any pressure there. if there is no pressure, have at it. you can leave the belt on with no refridgerent, but if you have no plans to use it take the belt and the a/c compressor off. belt only runs the a/c compressor.