So I've gone into analysis paralysis and do not have a clear answer but I believe this will work, has anybody else done this upgrade?

I want to use an AC compressor with magnetic clutch from a Toyota Echo 2000 - 2005. And install it into a 2005 xB Gen 1

I found a YouTube video where a 2001 Prius compressor was used in a 2005 xB.

In the 125 comments the installer said the echo compressor is the better compressor as it's a four rib pulley and the Prius is a 3 rib pully. One of the problems mentioned was that one of hoses on Scion xB doesn't exactly fit the echo compressor. But you can take the Echo hose and replace the Scion xB hose.

So depending on the comments that follow my current plan is to buy the following items new:

1. 2000-2005 Toyota Echo AC compressor
2. Toyota Echo hoses high pressure and low pressure.
3. 2005 xB Condenser
4. 2005 xB bypass valve.

Does anybody know if this will work? Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

I have searched through this form site and didn't find anything related.

Thanks

 

What exactly do you mean when you say one pulley is a 3-rib vs. the other being a 4-rib? Gen1 xBs use V-belts...two of them as a matter of fact. If you're referring to them being a 'ribbed' pulley that would indicate to me they are serpentine belts and, well, that's not going to play well.

 

I was going to agree with you, but it's been a while since I changed mine, so I went out and looked. My 2006 xB actually has one 2-rib and one 3-rib belt.

 

I stand corrected. It's been a while since I changed them but pulling up part numbers for the Gates belts I used they are, in fact, ribbed belts. I assume what made me think they were V-belts is that you have to manually tension them.

 

Yup, that's what fooled me too. Memory is the second thing to go ...

 

Bladder first thing to go on you too...

 

I honestly can't remember what the first thing to go was ...

 

Sharing my research and saving all of us a few bucks.

How to defeat the SST piping clamp.

SST 09870-00015

AC coupling/ clamp how to open

.

 

I currently have 2003 Toyota echo ac on 2004 scion xb. I did a mod write up on it in a Facebook scion group. I’ve been rocking the echo ac comp for a couple years, and it was a junkyard find. I am running a four rib serpentine belt, you have to get a slightly shorter belt but the AC works great.

 

I want to do this and need a list of things needed that will work. Could you tell me exactly what is needed.

 

I believe anything 2000-05 will work, my Echo compressor and lines are from a 2003 Echo. The two lines you need are the Toyota Echo Discharge Line and the Suction Line. The liquid line is all metal and does not need to be replaced, the OG Scion xB liquid line works fine. So you could in theory have a 2003 Toyota echo suction/condenser line, a 2004 Toyota echo compressor, and a 2005 Toyota echo discharge line. In any combination. But those three items HAVE TO BE from a Toyota Echo 2000-2005. The belt is a K040465 or a K040488, both will work fine. As you can see in the picture with the red arrow and the "BEND" caption, this was the only line I had to modify, all I had to do, was just take a little bit of bend out of it, until it fit, so it would wrap around the condenser. I butt connected the wires to the stock factory wiring, picture for proper wiring. My system has been running just fine since I did this upgrade in 2021. I've only recharged ONCE, not because of bad work, I had an AC service port valve go bad. Replaced the valve, recharged freon, system working beautifully again, no more leaks.

 

is the AC much colder? Is the upgrade worth it if I have a working system? Would you mind attaching the Facebook link or pasting here so we can take a look at it. Thanks!!!

 

I just wanted to drop a thank you into this thread. I’m wrapping up swapping my compressor out now and the pictures and parts description helped a ton. I tried to be sneaky and wire in only the positive, but that didn’t work, so I took it all back out and did the negative also. Hopefully that works. One note, on my 2006 (which I think has the larger condenser) it was not a minor bend to get the Echo line to fit. It was some pretty major bends and I’m scared I weakened the line, but whatever, summers here aren’t all that hot anyway. 😉 Thanks again Scion folks!