Due to the front end damage on my 4Runner, the condenser has a crack in one of the couplings, the condenser fan cage is bent and the wires appear to have been hacked off, and the blower resistor wires looked like they had corroded clean through.  While I have the pieces off doing the front end repair, I will replace the broken parts with new ones. 

Since the system had a crack in it, I didn't have to worry about paying to have the system evacuated.  Of course if it weren't cracked, I wouldn't have to worry about paying to have the system evacuated either.  The condenser had bolts on the bottom two corners and two rubber spacers on the top.  The fan was swapped by undoing three bolts and one connector.  The resistor was one screw and one connector. 

With everything back together it was time to take it to a a/c shop and keep my fingers crossed that there weren't any other leaks.  The Toyota service guys said to add a full ounce any time I replaced the condenser and the a/c service guys said I didn't need any.  I compromised and had them add 1/2 ounce of compressor oil with the freon refill.  This was the expensive part- they really gouge you for the R12.  I still refuse to switch over- the R12 is much colder, and not as hard on the seals and compressor. 

After getting the system vacuumed and filled, the a/c works.  Boy does it work, it's almost too cold when it has been running on recirc for a bit.  Even on hot days it only takes a few minutes to cool down the inside of the cavernous beast.  I was told the dryer should be replaced when the system has been open for too long, also the compressor itself could have been bad being exposed open to air.  I may have some failure in the seals or another part of the system due to this later.  Maybe I will break down and convert it to R134 then.

1- Forking out the money for parts and getting gouged for service to an R12 system was pretty difficult.

2- It could have been more difficult if the compressor or other items were bad, but working on parts that are right on the front is easy.

1- The condenser I could only get aftermarket (weird) and the fan and resister had to come from Toyota (expensive). 

2- I had to remove the four mounting brackets from the old condenser and move them to the new one as it didn't come with them. 

3- The bolt for the input line of the condenser didn't want to start threading into the fitting bracket.  I had to remove the screws holding the bracket in place, file some of the aluminum away from the inside of the bolt hole in the condenser, start the bolt into the bracket, and then reattach the bracket.  The bolt tightened fine after that.  Minor emergency averted. 

Hmm, the payoff...  Having a/c that works very well on hot and muggy days.  I think it speaks for itself. 

The system is still R12 which is much more expensive.

I thought about upgrading to R134A (briefly), but I have found it to not be as cold.  Plus I have been told that the R134A is more corrosive and the seals fail quicker.