Is there an alternator only bracket for my 1998 Ram 2500 5.9 Magnum? I don't need the "horse collar" bracket that has the mounting for an A/C compressor, and the unused part of the original bracket is in the way for changing the thermostat, hoses, etc. I saw an ebay listing (expired) that showed both the wide bracket and one that just mounted to the passenger side of the engine to mount the alternator, but I can't find what applications had the alternator only bracket, which I would prefer, since the A/C compressor mount is unnecessary in my application.
Has anyone just trimmed off the unused portion of the bracket? It looks strong enough that the extra material under the compressor is not required for strength, but I would like to know for certain before I cut off the unused part. Any ideas? Thanks! (By the way, somehow I shortened "bracket" in the title by mistake, and now I can't fix it; sorry.)

 

That alternator only mount was never factory. Even non AC trucks had a bypass pulley in that spot. If you found a smaller belt that would fit I wouldn't see an issue if you cut it after the upper brace on top of the bracket

 

Update: I just removed the unneeded part of the alternator/compressor bracket. I removed the hardware on the compressor side (3 capscrews,) scored the aluminum next to the vertical portion of the bracket adjacent to the alternator with a cutting wheel, put a chisel in the kerf, hit it a couple of times, and voila, the unneeded portion broke off cleanly. Now I can see the whole bypass hose, reach both thermostat housing bolts easily, and relocate the electrical ground directly to the block where it should have been all along. I have never had A/C, nor was there an idler, so I already had the correct belt. Altogether a successful undertaking--took less than 1.5 hours from start to finish.