What length belt do you need to by-pass ac on a 98 jeep with 5.2

if there is nothing wrong with the ac pulley bearing , just disconnect the power to the compressor and use it as an idle pulley
because the ac pulley is in the system , and another belt that by passes that pulley will have the belt grooves running on a flat idler and the belt life is considerably reduced to over come that will require another idler pulley and bracket

yes a shorter belt will be ok . mostly the alternator can be used for adjustment. you will have to measure the length with a cord and get a belt to match.

Midas does a.c. work,had my 85 nissan 720 fixed recently.Here's a link to your belts.

remove the belt and by using a string or a thin robe put it as the belt round an pulleys and afterwards measure the length of the robe which will be the new size. as regards the width you have the old one.

Yes you can bypass the ac compressor with a shorter belt, however it may take a few tries to get the right length belt. Even if they have a belt for a non ac Jetta, the belt sometimes isn't the right length.

Click of the following direct, Free Link. It has several Serpentine Diagrams, including the one for your 1998 Jeep Wrangler 4.0L In-Line 6-Cylinders based upon your Engine Options (AC/No AC, Power Steering/No Power Steering, etc.).
The Link Page ALSO has the 2.5L In-Line 4-Cylinder Serpentine Belt Diagrams with their various engine options.
Included are the with AC / without AC Routing.

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!
http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1998/make/jeep/model/wrangler/1998_jeep_wrangler_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

no you need a new compresser and the belt your compressor locked up and the truck will NOT run with out it

You may have a problem finding that info out, but an easy way to do it if you can see and reach it, is to make a mark with chalk on the power steering pulley, as well as crankshaft pulley, then run a string or similar from the mark on power steering pulley, around AC compressor pulley, and down to mark on crankshaft, then measure that distance. Now run same string from power steering pulley mark, directly to crankshaft pulley mark, (by-passing AC pulley), and measure that as well. Subtract by-passed length from, non by-passed, will give you the difference in length. Now when you go to parts store for new belt, they can give you a belt that is that much shorter than original one listed. The actual belt part # usually tells the length in it. Just subtract your difference from original, and ask for that length, same design. Sounds pretty complicated, I know, but it really isn't. You used to be able to just say" give me the one for the same vehicle without AC", but most vehicles have AC now, so it isn't quite that easy anymore. Make sure you take a good look and be sure you have the clearance so belt doesn't hit/rub on AC pulley during operation.

The compressor has become an integral part of the system to the point that there is no listing for optional no a/c. Looking at the pulley/belt arrangement, the only way you could do this would be to remove the compressor and replace it with another idler pulley. Eliminating the compressor, not using an extra idler and using a shorter belt would cause the water pump to run backwards (won't work that way). If the clutch on the compressor is OK why not disconnect compressor from the harness and just let the clutch freewheel without engaging?

hi the only way to get the size is to use a piece of string and wrap it around all of the pullies.in the proper order. and subtract 1-2 inches so thy tenshioner will work buy a couple of belts at diffrent sizes and return the ones you dont need