I have purchased a complete nearly perfect setup for $250. As much I would love to tell you it is worth $500+, its not. There are no OEM or aftermarket TXV's(expansion valves) avaiible for the systems, and if it is dirty or bad it needs replacement which will require a custom setup$$$ and replumbing of the evaporator. No compressor rebuild parts are availible for any vintage of FJ55 compressors, so a refit is needed if a new compressor is warranted. the design of the OEM brackets for 1975 and newer compressors is not compatable with many(if any?) aftermarket compressors such as a Sanden 508 or others.
The hoses in the OEM setups are not barrier wall, so if you want to charge the setup with r134a, chalk up new hoses to the $$$ and the outdated condensor will likely need to be replaced, as it is not up to the task of adequate cooling with r134a b/c it is not efficient enough and likely pretty beat given its age. Keeping r12 is fine, but it is about $30-70 / lb depending on location/demand and the FJ55 systems take about 2.2 lbs.
You would have to include the balancer on the front of the engine, because it has the third groove(rear most) for a/c compressor if you are trying to keep the factory compressor or location. No other trucks had these except for FJ60's and they are over $100 used from specter and VERY hard to find otherwise.
If you open the system you really MUST replace the reciver dryer(due to the dessicant inside, another $30-40, and this is included in the vintage kit.
Just my lessons learned trying to refit the OEM a/c parts in my cruiser. Not easy and MORE expensive than the vintage kit by the time I was done...
