I've posted this elsewhere but again, since the modified forum has loads more active readers than anywhere else on the site, I figured it might help the most people here.

For those of you with RENIX XJ's that need an AC delete idler pulley, you probably know by now that they are a pain to find. However, I found a solution that has worked flawlessly for me for about 5 months now - no squeaks, squeals, or other bad noises.

This sounds obvious, but you can just use a RENIX-era AC compressor.

I'm not sure if you need to remove all the internals, but I took my old, worn-out AC compressor apart and removed all the internals (including the clutch mechanism). Now all that sits there is an empty housing with an idler pulley on the front. I know you can find used AC compressors in scrapyards, and hell, you might even have one you don't want laying around or still bolted up to your rig.

Eventually I plan on cutting off the back 2/3 of the housing, leaving the base of the compressor and a significant portion of the front of the compressor (with attached pulley of course) for structural support. This will save a lot of space, and makes it almost like the idler pulley you'd get from a non-AC RENIX.

Do this at your own risk, I'm not known for my "scientific approach" to things, but from my experience it has worked. Just use your own discretion when attempting this mod, as I'm not doing any photo documentation here - it really is quite straightforward. I BELIEVE that the only additional thing I did was add a fender washer underneath the bolt head that holds down the pulley itself, to help contain the pulley's bearing.

 

How’s that working for u now? Just saw this post. I bought a newer delete pulley and just realized it won’t work.
My AC Compressor is squeaking and am afraid it’ll burn up soon. Was gonna try your method

 

Not a single problem so far.

 

Have any pics? That compressor looks like a PITA to take apart and I’m unsure how the pulley would go back on.

 

I'm confused. Just leaving the compressor on there, with no power to it, the clutch bearing would serve as an idler bearing??????????