jeff,
sure you wanna tear out all that a/c stuff?
when i was searching for a vanagon westfalia i wouldn't buy one w/o a/c.

of course 9 out of 10 "needed freon".  i can tell you a compressor is
about $450 bucks---but look around, i see them used.  you can have it
converted (cheap) to the new refrigerant, which so much cheaper you can
recharge it yearly.
in wisconsin you cant buy any refrigerant retail,so your pretty much at
the mercy of an a/c dealer.. i projected this into the cost of my westy
when i bought it so i didn't consider it a big deal--i didn't get a
vanagon to do things on the cheap or i would have just kept my 74 dodge
sportsmobile(just like westfalia(with propane funace)for those
interested in non vw camper vans with a poptop).
if you've got a westfalia, don't you like the fact your can take a trip
anywhere?  anytime? i do.
i'm outside or in a hot non a/c truck all summer at work and when i'm
off work with a little vacation time i'm not gonna cook in my westfalia.

it's the heat  and  the humidity,
chris c