Has anyone stripped the A/C from their car?, repairs will cost 1000$, need alternative! Options

[axelrduvirage]

hey gang,

just got back from the shop. the compressor and the dehydrator are leaking in my air conditioning system. total taxes in is just short of 1000$. has anyone successfully stripped the whole works from their Celica? what are the risks, if any? are there any other costs other than the labour to take the system out? this comes at a bad time since i am trying to get the bodywork done and put a coat of paint on the car in the next few days. all my "disposable" income is going towards that. i know i don't live in SoCal or FLA but we do get muggy weather here on the coast. i guess i could live without A/C until next summer. opinions and ponders on this question are more than welcome.