Air-con now gassed and working properly. It turned out to be yet another difference between the JDM and USDM cars; the connectors (wiring loom to A/C pump) looked similar at first glance but actually weren't, the A/C guy had to cut and solder them. The VX is now down at the exhaust shop getting a custom stainless one welded up. I told them to be sure to reproduce the heatshield where the exhaust runs next the transfer case.