Apparently the input u joint on the front diff chewed the **** out of the thing because it got a little too close during this past winters 4wd snow drives. I didn't even know what it was until i was watching a video on youtube of a 4 inch lift on an xj. now, its completely severed about 6 inches off the diff.

How important is this thing? Can i just replace it with regular hose and reapply the heat sheilding?