AC Compressor replacement (which parts?)

[Headnsouth]

My 98 with 140K miles AC comp just took a dump and I need to replace it. Gotten quotes anywhere from $850-1100 Warranty range from 12mnth to lifetime
With that kind of $$ I'm considering doing the labor myself and then having it evac'ed and charged. What gets changed besides the comp and dryer?? Someone said something about changing a "tube or pipe"?
A guy at work said they need to replace the condensor also.

[LMP]

I understand the compressor is unserviceable...
Indeed it is recommended that the dryer be replaced when the system is opened ; the service centers would not risk their warranty on a dryer that might have absorbed too much moisture or metal particles, and this is understandable in their situation. http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Climat...ac_dryer.shtml
For myself, anyway, if I know that the system is opened for a very short time and if I take precautions to plug the hoses to avoid moist air intrusion (which would be removed by vacuum anyway) and I suspect the dryer (or accumulator, whatever has not accumulated heavy dirt contamination, I'd do with it, knowing that it was OK before.
I have installed a complete a/c system taken from a scrapyard, (in a FOrd , long time ago) had all of it in open air for long, and after vacuum and fillup, all was OK.
I had the aluminum condenser changed on my transport and replaced with a copper type. ALuminum here is no good because of salt. Only the condenser was changed then.
Tube or pipe? May be talking of the expansion tube, this nozzle that meters the high pressure liquid to the low pressure side...I think it well protcted from any metal particles that could be carried from the compressor in case of hard mechanoical failure (because the dryer/accumulator/strainer comes before the expansion valve) .
FOr myself? I'd stick with the minimum, keep the money and assume the risk. But I will not argue if one wants to avoid calculated risk.

[Headnsouth]

Thanks for the info, GREAT link to.

No way to tell but I'd guess my system isn't to contaminated. Looks like the comp. bearing seal went and leaked from there. Prolly just go with the comp and drier.
@ 140K although the van runs and looks good for its age keeping as much $$ in my pocket makes sense.