Here's a link to the thread (with lots of pix) on the end-to-end refurb:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=365626&highlight=r134a

Good luck!

Stephen

--- On Thu, 5/12/11, Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: AC refurb
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 7:35 AM

There are several good threads on this on thesamba.com, including one where the guy has done an "every single piece" refurb to his Westy, including having new hoses mated to the existing fittings for just a couple of hundred bucks. Looks doable for mere mortals if you don't have an amenable A/C person handy, and probably the kind of job you want to start two weeks ago if you're in Phoenix.

Stephen

--- On Wed, 5/11/11, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM> wrote:

From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
Subject: AC refurb
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 11:01 PM

I have a new compressor (SD5) and would like to resurrect my '85 Westy's AC.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to replace all of the AC hoses (they're
over 25 years old!) and replace with newer hoses designed for R134a (tighter
rubber or lined, IIRC).

Any recommendations on a source for the hoses?  I'm in a big city (Phoenix)
and can easily source locally if it's advisable to have them custom made
using either my old fittings or new ones.

Any recommendations on the job in general.  I have a good local mechanic to
lean on, but V'gons are not his "thing".  However, being a mechanic in
Phoenix, AC has to be his "thing".

Karl Wolz