Budget underhood AC retrofit.

I understand the C-171 is a good compressor, and comparable to a Sanden in size and efficiency. The funky fittings are a downside, but as long as you can get the seals (gaskets?) they look fine. It would be easy to cut off the ferrules to re-hose them. I did that on my M-B (funky metric O-ring fittings), which were Coll-O-Crimp type so had to also cut it off the tube. A hacksaw or cut-off wheel and prying w/ screwdrivers and pliers peels it off. I have a Master-Cool AC crimper, so used that. I used mostly "reduced barrier" hose and found that some standard ferrules and dies fit (#8 works on #10 reduced and such, forgot), though they do sell special "reduced dies" for $$. Ferrules look factory, but aren't necessary. Oeticker clamps or screw clamps also work. Use "barrier" hose, which has an inner liner for less leakage and better chemical resistance. Newer parallel-flow condensers are claimed 30% more efficient, but you can't clean them like the older 1-tube condensers, so change if your compressor scatters debris. R-134A works poorer than R-12, so needs help. But, it is being discontinued so I wouldn't use it. I think PAO 68 oil is best for any refrigerant, since it doesn't absorb moisture and better stays in the compressor. I use that oil and Duracool refrigerant in all my vehicles (1996 and 2002 after compressors failed).