ac compressor options for 81

[eke82]

trying to reinstall the ac setup in my 81 swb and the compressor is bad. after pricing a new and rebuilt ones wondering if somebody offer a aftermarket retro fit( like the one in my 97 pickup and 99 tahoe) or something else or a good place to get a good deal on one
thanks eric everingham

[gchemist]

Convert over to a serpentine belt system. You can install better compressors. 96 and later compressors work best. I have a 96 Blazer S10 setup in my truck.

[Slonaker]

I got tired of buying another rebuilt compressor every summer, so I bought a new one. It cost about the same as three used ones, but it has been on the truck 7 years or so with no problems.

If I were doing it again, I would use an Alan Grove bracket and mount a Sanden compressor like the ones Vintage Air uses. They claim that the compressors draw only about 3 horsepower.

The only downside would be having to have custom hoses made, but a lot of places can do that. I think that some NAPA locations even make them.

Slonaker

[inovermyhead]

New one on www.rockauto.com for $243.

[inovermyhead]

Oh and good thing about rockauto.com is that there are 10% off discount codes all over the internet. I've used rockauto for most of the replacement parts for my truck and have literally saved almost $200 on what I've ordered so far. Only had one bad part come in and they replaced it no questions asked quickly!

[Radioactive1]

I bought an '81 C-20 and had to rebuild the entire A/C system. Ended up getting everything from these guys - very professional and very helpful:

http://stores.ebay.com/airpartsstore8775428192