So I recently swapped my power steering to a manual rack using TitaniumTT's method. I am keeping my A/C though, since I drive to Texas a couple times a year and one time there in the summer without A/C was enough for me. I picked up an A/C only bracket, but have run into a problem. My compressor is a Nippondenso. Apparently the bracket is for Sanden compressors and mine doesn't fit. However, looking at the Sanden compressor, the lines are different. If I were to pull the lines going to my condensor and firewall, would the Sanden lines swap right over?

 

i ran into the same problem. some of the lines ARE different. obviously the ones going into compressor, and the lines from evaporator to condenser are different. the condenser's are the same, receiver dryer's are the same. the lines on the passenger frame rail are a different thread pitch and won't screw on. i had a hell of a time piecing together my AC system cuz the previous owner wanted to save weight, meanwhile it was already a manual steering car and all. the best bet is to use your original bracket and cut off the extension. it won't look as clean as the AC only bracket but you won't need to mess with lines. use your old stuff and replace whatever's missing from that style system.

 

That's actually what I was originally planning on doing, but the problem is the way the combo PS and AC bracket is designed. The bolt for the AC tension pulley goes all the way up to the top, where the bolt head sits next to the bolt for the PS. There isn't a flat spot for a head to sit on lower down. I could try to find someone to weld a flat plate on the top after I cut off the power steering portion I suppose.

 

Buy a Sanden compressor and lines. Take your Sanden lines and your existing Nippon lines to a shop that fabricates hydraulic hoses OR to an A/C shop that fabricates hoses. They can swap your Sanden connectors onto your Nippon hoses. You will now have essentially an adaptor hose with Sanden connectors to the compressor and Nippon connectors to the rest of the system.

This shouldn't cost more than around $25.

Mount the Sandin compressor on the bracket, use your Sanden to Nippon hoses to connect the compressor to the system.

 

Ah, I like the sound of that better. Just ordered the lines, hopefully can have it fitted up within a week or so.