Gen 3 Ram-1500 5.7 Hemi ac bypass?

[Tomhusker]

My ac compressor took a dump and I'm not really interested in replacing it. I think I can reroute a shorter serpentine belt, but it would change the direction of rotation on one idler pulley. Anybody think this would cause a problem?

 

[outofyourmind]

@Tomhusker

My first thought is that an idler pulley should work both directions with no problem.
My second thought is, dude, replace the A/C.

 

[Tomhusker]

@Tomhusker

My first thought is that an idler pulley should work both directions with no problem.
My second thought is, dude, replace the A/C.

I considered it. Not really interested in replacing every component of the system just to cool the air a little bit. Maybe next year.

Got it figured out tho. I simply skipped the idler pulley. I think it's primary purpose was to get the proper angle for the belt to go to the ac compressor anyway.

 

[outofyourmind]

I considered it. Not really interested in replacing every component of the system just to cool the air a little bit. Maybe next year.

Got it figured out tho. I simply skipped the idler pulley. I think it's primary purpose was to get the proper angle for the belt to go to the ac compressor anyway.

How do you keep tension on the belt if you bypassed the idler pulley???

@Tomhusker

 

[Rex Racer]

How do you keep tension on the belt if you bypassed the idler pulley???

@Tomhusker

That is a great question. The idler pulleys (more of a tensioner than anything else) were designed to take the place of the swivel mounts we used to have on alternators and A/C compressors. Now that those are bolted in on a fixed position how did @Tomhusker make it work?

 

[outofyourmind]

That is a great question. The idler pulleys (more of a tensioner than anything else) were designed to take the place of the swivel mounts we used to have on alternators and A/C compressors. Now that those are bolted in on a fixed position how did @Tomhusker make it work?

Maybe there are two idler pulleys and the one he bypassed is the one that Dodge leaves off when there is no A/C from the factory, if that is such a thing.

 

[Rex Racer]

Maybe there are two idler pulleys and the one he bypassed is the one that Dodge leaves off when there is no A/C from the factory, if that is such a thing.

Could be. I have a Ram 2500 with the HEMI and I suppose I could look.

 

[Tomhusker]

How do you keep tension on the belt if you bypassed the idler pulley???

@Tomhusker

That is a great question. The idler pulleys (more of a tensioner than anything else) were designed to take the place of the swivel mounts we used to have on alternators and A/C compressors. Now that those are bolted in on a fixed position how did @Tomhusker make it work?

The Gen 3 Hemi has two idler pulleys and one tensioner pulley. One idler (#9) is below the alternator This has the one I bypassed.
The other idler (#5) is below the tensioner. (#6)
The Ac pulley is #1.

 

[outofyourmind]

The Gen 3 Hemi has two idler pulleys and one tensioner pulley. One idler (#9) is below the alternator This has the one I bypassed.
The other idler (#5) is below the tensioner. (#6)
The Ac pulley is #1.

@Tomhusker
so you went from #3 (assume its the power steering) bypassed the A/C and the top idler pulley, and straight to #8 (the alternator).

Sounds like genius to me.

 

[Tomhusker]

@Tomhusker
so you went from #3 (assume its the power steering) bypassed the A/C and the top idler pulley, and straight to #8 (the alternator).

Sounds like genius to me.

Yup. That's exactly what I did.

If you ever need to know, it takes a belt approximately 83" long to do this.
NAPA has one that is 82.75 inches. Part #070822.