R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

I got this idea from another site, but I can't remember where. I did this today, and it really doesn't take a lot of time or skill to perform. I went to the junk yard and sourced a mid 90's S10 4.3 A/C bracket and an assortment of support rods from various vehicles. First I cut the bottom section off of the aluminum bracket. Only one bolt attaches the bracket to the top outer bolt hole on the passenger head. I spent a little bit of time trying to figure out about where the bracket needed to be positioned. From there I took a piece of 3/16x1 inch flat bar and made a support that goes from the bolt hole above the thermostat housing on the water pump to the boss next to the s10 tensioner. I then cut up various support rods and stabilized the bracket from 2 places in the rear. It is extremely solid now, and I have no doubt about it's stability. I still need to clean up, bead blast, and paint all of the pieces. I'm happy with how it turned out, and now I can use readily available K5/Suburban A/C hoses. Check it out:

Mike

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

Looks good. Would like to see this finished up. Can't wait!

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

Good idea...looks good..

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

Thanks! The money saved on buying brackets bought me a new compressor.

Here is the finished/cleaned up product. I'll post more picture once in the truck and with a belt. The pulleys line up perfectly. Only issue might be the belt coming across from the alternator to the compressor will be really close to the water pump pulley. If it's too close I'll just reduce the size of the idler pulley beneath the alternator. The water neck and upper hose clear the tensioner just fine. Very pleased with the way it turned out.

Mike

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

couple more.

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

I like your style. One question. Can you use a Sanden with this? I hear R4s are notorious for failure.

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

No, this is just a R4 specific bracket. Not sure of one that will work similarly with a Sanden. R4's are actually good compressors when they are good quality to start with and are charged correctly. The bad name they get is from the terrible rebuilders out there turning out junk.

Mike

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

Never one to leave well enough alone. I just added one more lateral (from the face of the engine) brace to support front to rear movement. Probably didn't need it, but it took all of 5 minutes....so why not?

Mike

Re: R4 A/C bracket on the cheap.
 

I realize this is an old thread, however, I just started mounting up my bracket and was wondering about the best fitting belt to use.