I'm hearing what sounds like a bad bearing noise from the area of the AC compressor. I took the serpentine belt off and the AC pulley has some resistance when turning it by hand. Should it be easy to spin like the alternator and steering pump?

Aside from this the AC works as expected.

 

The inner pulley that the belt rides on is controlled by the compressor clutch - which is the "inner" part of the pulley. The clutch clamps against the pulley when it needs to to circulate coolant. I am not an expert on this subject, but my son's compressor was cycling on/off very quickly and making noise. We added R-134 and oil charge and cured it. I would have a mechanic shop look at it due to the fact that if it is a bad compressor - they will have the equipment to "vacuum" the system and recharge it if the compressor gets changed.

 

The AC compressor pulley bearing was gone. The fix required replacing the pulley/clutch assembly which required taking the compressor out of the truck e.g. discharge the AC system. Here's what it cost:

1. C - 4882008 AC clutch assembly $254.10 - purchased from dealer
2. AC - R134A AC refrigerant $6.25

Labor 1.8 hours @65 - $117.00

Tax $13.02

Total: $390.37

In retrospect it might have been better to replace the entire compressor

 

It for sure would have been better to replace the entire compressor. It the bearing is wearing out chances are the internals of your compressor are too. Oh well you have already done it. If you have to replace the compressor just buy a rebuilt one from NAPA screw the stealer.