my a/c clutch bearing went out and everyone is telling me i have to buy a whole new compressor... i dont want to spend 300+ for a little squeal in the engine.. is there any way to bypass the a/c? i know i can buy a bypass pulley but didnt know if i could just get a shorter belt and reroute everything and leave the a/c out of the loop...any suggestions?

 

You can get the bracket and pulley for XJ's with out A/C and just get rid of the compressor all together

 

If you don't care about having AC then it's time to think about a York compressor and OBA. ;-)

 

Napa was the only place I could find a aftermarket Bypass Pulley & Bracket to replace my compressor when it took a crap on me. It was only like $35 or $40

 

I as well took off my ac. Napa is where I got my by pass pully.

What a difference.
First, motor is a lot quieter, and I saw a small increase in MPGs.

Second, I scrapped the compressor and condenser and it paid for the pully and new belt.

Third, with the condenser out of the way of the radiator my motor has been running cooler(found a lot of dried up dirt in between the two).

Fourth, with the compressor gone it opens a lot of room in the pass side of motor, my plan is to relocate my intake over. In doing that it will get me some cooler air, being away from the exaust manifold and will be in front of the mechanical fan.
Then that will open even more room up with stock air box gone allowing me to put a second battery under the hood for my future winch.

 

keep it. buy a new clutch....can't be more than $90.

hell, that, or buy a decent pulley puller, go to the junkyard, and get another one and swap it.