Does anyone know the name or part number of the plastic junction piece with the hoses running into it? Mine appears to be leaking.

 

Called a heater control valve.
Most guys get rid of it.
Apparently just use heater hoses from a '97 and up XJ, they don't have this, and you are good to go.

 

I'll second what Ralph said. I was resistant to remove the valve but did so after breaking mine in half when changing out the heater hoses. My 90 4.0 is just fine without it. One last plastic bit to strand you on the way home when it breaks.
Later years did away with it entirel as Ralph mentioned.
74Plb

 

I replaced mine but deleting it looks pretty easy so I'll probably end up doing that.

 

Yup, that plastic turns brittle over time and explodes when you least expect it. As mentioned 97 and up hoses are a direct fit and cap the vac line. Take the opportunity while you have the hoses off to flush the heater core back and forth with a garden hose until it runs clean. I guarantee you'll have much better heat after that.

 

I took mine out today! I was pulling the carpet back to check out a couple of rust spots on the passenger floor board. When I found the heater core leaking, I decided to bypass it. I was there pulling hoses anyway, so why not? BTW, for those in the deep South if I bypassed my heater core that means it will be a bone cold winter down here! Get ready! Also, the only copper heater core I can find is the Spectra at Autozone. Any bad stories about that one?

 

If you found a copper Spectra heater core then I am thinking you should go for it.
Copper for starters.
Spectra being the radiator that most guys will recommend so.....
Pretty sure my Napa radiator is a rebranded Spectra and been good for over 10 years so...
Got a link?

 

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-hea...xt=heater+core

Now you got me worried Ralph, that the description is not going to be accurate. Cheap price for "Copper/brass heater replacement." as stared under "Notes:".

 

Not seeing what you are looking at with that link.
I pick the Spectra one but says not for a '96 when I put in the application so....
Cause I am skeptical if it really is a brass one.
Why I wanted to see exactly which one you are talking about.

 

Probably I read it wrong. Under the notes it says "copper/brass heater replacement" just doesn't say it is a copper/brass heater core. Dang aluminum one, I bet.

This is on the webpage I linked to:

SPI/Duralast Heater Core 94732

• Part #94732
• SKU #237343
• [img]data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2722%27%20heig ht=%2725%27/%3e[/img]Limited-Lifetime Warranty
• 
  0.0
  (0)
  0.0 out of 5 stars.

• 
  [img]data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg%20xmlns=%27http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%27%20version=%271.1%27%20width=%2720%27%20heig ht=%2714%27/%3e[/img]
  
  Fits your 1996 Jeep Cherokee 4WD
• Notes: Copper/brass heater replacement.
  
  I think it will fit the 96. I just don't want to change it!
  

 

I was resistant to remove the valve but did so after breaking mine in half when changing out the heater hoses.