I really hate those things. The jeep has 230k on it and it looks like its original. I was replacing the thermostat, moved a hose off to the side and snap, coolant leaking coolant everywhere. I guess it was really brittle lol.

Get rid of it, it's not needed. Use a couple of barbed repair nipples (5/8 & 3/4) to put the hoses together.

Ill give it a try! Thanks for the info.

X2
The manufacturer finally figured out that they didn't need them anyways and stop putting them on the later models. That is one piece that is completely worthless.

They were a bad idea and worse yet, the part was under-designed and failed frequently. Many a 4.0 engine was fried because of a heater control valve that exploded on the road.

1996 was the last year for this part on the XJ. It really is not necessary; kind of like your appendix. Get rid of it.