I have a 2001 Ram 1500 5.2 & need to replace the a/c compressor. Rockauto lists Style 1 and Style 2 replacerments. What is the difference and does it matter?

 

Look at the brand/model number on your current compressor, do a search on those terms.

 

If you drill down into the kits you'll see the difference is one refrigerant line is different. Compressor is the same.

 

1st (original) design (like on my 1999) has the 1 piece C shaped high side line with a permanent, non-replaceable orifice embedded within the tubing. The tubing is pinched to lock the orifice in position. This entire line has to be replaced when replacing the orifice

that 2nd design looks to has a joint to connect to the remaining discharge line connected to the evap, so you need to already have the 2nd design on the truck to use this.... or you will be missing that part. I suppose it's considered a permanent part as it doesn't contain the orifice. They should have thrown you a bone and included both pieces so you can swap to 2nd design from first design.

I suspect mopar went with a 2 piece because it's quite a chore to pull and reinstall that discharge line... I did it a few months ago and the amount I had to bend the line was a bit unnerving. Memory is fuzzy but I think to replace it without bending would require hood removal as the line was digging into the hood while putting it in place.

 

like in your original post still don't see style 1 or 2. These are kits you are looking at not just compressors.