Overhauled my AC today.

Big thanks to this forum and YouTube. My compressor locked up with 254,000 miles on the old XJ. While I was under the hood I found the stock fan clutch was wore out ( go figure right ) and the secondary fan would not turn. That would explain why the needle would creep past 210 while sitting in traffic. I picked up a stock replacement fan clutch and a doorman secondary fan. Replaced the compressor, accumulator and liquid line. Flushed out the condenser and evaporator then put a vacuum on it with good results. Used some cheap manifold gauges to charge the system and verify all was ok. The old rig still looks good so I did not mind spending some cash on it.

I'd love to do this to my Jeep. I've been without AC since I bought it 5 years ago and now I'm moving from OH to NC... it's gonna be hot!

So the AC works now? How'd you flush out the condenser and evaporator, and did you have any leaks? How'd you find those?

Pretty easy stuff! I just did the wifes XJ and then my work F150 compressor burned up! I had a Harbor Freight air assist vacuum but I could never really get it down as low as I wanted and it took forever. I removed a hermetic compressor from a fridge my neighbor had laying around. I went to O'Reilys and bought their brass can adapter and silver soldered it to the suction side of the fridge compressor. Now I can put a vacuum on it in minutes then I shut the valve off and check for leaks as well as getting the full amount of freon in!

I know nothing about any of that! Props to you - I'll probably have to take mine to a specialist. AC is something I've just never delved into, but glad it works for you.

Jonner - if you have basic skills and the time it was not hard. I initially took it to a few shops for estimates and considered the AC delete pulley option. For $ 170 in tools I was able to do the work myself and not have to worry if it was done right. I can now sell off the tools and recoup some of that money or keep them. I am 41 years old and had never messed with AC before. I now kick myself for driving cars with non working AC due to it being Voo Doo and shop estimates being to much money to fix.
Advance Auto had everything to do the job and I was able to buy gift cards at Giant Eagle so I earned fuel points on my purchase. Harbor Freight was my source for the tools and with 20% off coupons I saved over $30 there.
I watched a lot of You Tube videos and weeded out the hack job how to's and focused on the quality videos. I used this forum to confirm what to buy and pick up any tricks to do the job.