What is this cannister? (pic)
 

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...0227111652.jpg

I noticed the hose that runs into the left side is hanging unattached to anything over near the power steering pump. What should I reattach it to?

(1988 F150 4.9L)

hmm.. i don't know bump for help! if you have your factory manual still it may tell you.

Somebody has hacked his original a/c system - notice the accumulator is missing? I am thinking that is an old-style dryer that the person who made this mod added.

looks like someone did a lot of hacking in there... could you follow the hose on the right and tell us where it goes? A clearer picture might help as well.

Ohhhh!!!! *lightbulb* Ive been going through my Haynes manual looking in the emissions chapter trying to figure out what that is.

I bought the truck last fall and the previous owner said the AC didnt work. (System never converted from freon, system empty)

A few months ago The AC condenser was rubbing against my radiator and it rubbed a hole in the radiator, so I just took that condenser out. Thats what that hose connects to. It must have just fallen down out of where I kinda had it tucked in. I had completely forgotten about that. Thanks jas for pointing me to the correct system!

ETA: I think thats the AC dryer.