I have a 2003 Ford Ranger truck that has a worn pully on the air conditioning unit. Can I eliminate this unit and use a smaller serpentine belt? If so, how do I get a correct measurement for the belt?

Yes. there are basically three ways:

1. Put in a new a/c compressor.

2. Try a smaller serpentine belt. If this model came also w/o a/c, that serpentine belt should work fine. If all Santa Fes came with a/c then like you were saying try a smaller belt. You might have to try different smaller belt sizes(as far as I know) until you really get it right, which is not easy.

3. See if they make an a/c compressor delete pully for your particular model. This is basically just a single standalone pully (dummy pully). Aftermarket companies do not make them for all models, but if they make it for yours, you can use the same serpentine belt w/o a compressor. The internet is the best place to check.

you will have to replace the ac compressor with an idler pully and you should be able to use same belt

there will be a pully that you will have to put a wtench on and pull then slip on belt

Hello. It sounds like you are describing the "idler pulley". Should be around $20 or less. Don't forget to remove the washer from the old pulley and put it back when you install the new pulley. I hope this helps, good luck with your repair.

Is your serpentine belt in good condition? It may be slipping due to wear or a ceasing pulley or water pump. Release pressure on belt & make sure all is well with contacting pulleys. Change belt if excessive wear noted. Good luck!

No. There is a tensioner pulley which controls the tightness of a serpentine belt. In addition, the belt travels a specific path. Bypassing the air conditioning compressor not only requires a different size belt, it would require rerouting the belt and omitting one component would mess up the travel of the belt and may actually result in reversing the rotation of some of the components that the belt turns. In addition, the belt tensioner is designed specifically for that length and size of belt. You would most likely affect the belt tension, which would result in slippage or overtightness. Overtightness on the bearings of the devices the belt controls will cause that unit to sieze.

Did you replace the ideler arm? see if you can wiggle any of the pullys if they move or have end play you will have to fix the pully to get the belt to saty on. be sure belt is on straight.

it could be a few thing.it may be your belt/pully /or alternater. it sound like it the bearn in the alter. try spaying p b blaster on the bearns. when the nose stop . that were the prolbems is.

went and bought an ac unit at junk yard since dealer gave me wrong bracket.

You need to go to Autozone or where ever and rent a serpentine belt tensioner pully wrench before you do anything. then you get a diagram for your car and route the belt liek the diagram says, google image should work just fine. the tenion pully on an 03 is in the on the right as you are standing looking at the pully system. its the second one down. its the only one that moves.