I just replaced my AC condenser on my 96 and wow, it could not be any easier.

Once you get the hood off, it's just a matter of removing easy to reach bolts.

The new drier was a little thicker than the old one, but ended up fitting just fine. I had to carefully unpeel the foam tape that fit between the original metal clamps and drier. It just made good sense to provide some kind of vibration damping there.

The replacement condenser fit right in. Very little modification needed. (minor repositioning of the aluminum tube going into the drier)

The only problem was the expansion valve. It was very tight in there. I really needed some kind of flexible driver to fit a T-27 and T-25 torx head onto the screws that needed to be pulled out.

For anyone thinking of doing it themselves, I would completely recommend it. Not hard to do at all!

I did vacuum out my system with a rented vacuum from Autozone (Advance Auto does not have one) and pumped in almost three 12 oz cans of R134a along with 1 oz of PAG150 oil. The first can takes a while, the second one goes in very quickly and the third one goes slow.

It was a 90 degree day and I managed to get the high side to 180F.

Parts came from RockAuto. Manifold came from Harbor Freight. Couldn't be happier with both. No surprises.

Of course, I'll have to see if the AC lasts. The condenser had a leak, that was the reason I did this job. Mechanic wanted $600 parts and labor. I paid less than $250 for the parts and materials, I think. Could have been close to $200.

 

Update here.

Use Pag100 oil.

Also, I found that I was undercharged at just less than three 12 oz cans. Get a fourth because I suspect you will need just more than three cans.

I was close, but now that I vacuumed out the system, replacing just the drier, I loaded it back up and it runs much much better. Before I was only getting cooled when on the highways. Now it's cold in the city too!

 

On my 95 X300 my bottom rubber condenser mounts were completely deteriorated. These are often overlooked, as are the bottom rad mounts.