New Performance Products for the Jeep Wrangler JL

The Jeep Wrangler JL was named MotorTrend’s SUV of Year (and with good reason), but just because something is already great doesn’t mean we can’t squeeze a little more juice out of it, eh? Exactly. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of exciting JL performance products by some of our favorite brands. But first, let’s drop some numbers on you…

Smashing Records

Sales of the latest version of the timeless American 4×4 are at an all-time high. In fact, they’re higher than any Wrangler to come before it. Here we thought the JK had that title locked down solid, but before Jeep even entered the fourth quarter of 2018, it reported that JL sales had already surpassed the previous Wrangler’s annual totals. (RECORD totals, we might add.)

Additionally, FCA just released its year-end summary and showed that overall Jeep brand sales rose a walloping 17% throughout 2018, no doubt contributing majorly to the parent automaker’s reporting the highest calendar year of retail sales in nearly two decades.

JL Inventory is booming, some say too much.

Currently, dealerships are carrying double, or even triple, the number of Wranglers they have in prior seasons, prompting some news outlets to worry over the amount of unsold JLs remaining on lots. Regardless, FCA continues to ramp up production, keeping the faith in one universal and unassailable truth:

The field of Wrangler customization is a whole culture unto itself. Simply build it and they will come.

So, now that you have a baseline of how popular this model is, let’s start exploring the many ways to make it uniquely your own. Here are our picks for some of the best new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL.

More Performance, More Power

Whether it’s a sturdy V-6 under the hood, a new turbocharged four-cylinder, or maybe—just maybe—one of those long-awaited diesels, there are plenty of companies with new innovation to get the most out of the JL’s stock arrangement.

aFe POWER

aFe POWER has a long history of creating performance parts for past Wranglers. And the company’s new line of JL hardware will undoubtedly keep its relationship with Jeep as one that benefits drivers for years to come.

The company prides itself on its power packages, a collection of multiple aFe designs sold together which guarantee an increase in airflow, torque, and horsepower.

afePOWER is one of our favorite aftermarket brands on this list of must-have new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL

The aFe POWER Magnum FORCE Power package, for example, includes a Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Cold Air Intake System (with a powder-coated aluminum intake tube to improve volumetric efficiency), a Pro-Guard 7 Air Filter, a Pro DRY S Air Filter, a Silver Bullet Throttle Body Spacer, a Magnum SHIELD Pre-Filter, and an Air-Filter Restore Kit. This entire setup makes good use of the Wrangler’s stock mounting locations, with no cutting or drilling necessary.

It sits in a powder-coated, one-piece 18-gauge steel housing unit. Both large (7.5” tall) air filters are washable and reusable, and the body spacer is a serrated/helix combination design of aluminum to maximize airflow to the combustion chamber. The aFe Magnum FORCE Stage-2 XP Cold Air Intake System ALONE will add 21 horsepower to the engine’s output, as well as an impressive 19 lb-ft of torque.

afePOWER is one of our favorite aftermarket brands on this list of must-have new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL

There are plenty of exhaust improvements for the JL available from these old pros as well. One such offering is the MACH Force-XP Hi-Tuck Cat-Back Exhaust, which bolts on easily and allows for plenty of ground clearance when the off-roading gets real. The finish, either polished or matte black, is sure to look perfect as it rolls away. And the unrestricted airflow it offers will add another 9 horsepower and 8 lb-ft of torque to a rig.

MagnaFlow

Always made in the USA, the good folks at MagnaFlow pride themselves on being early (VERY early) to market with their Rock Crawler Cat-Back exhaust system for the Wrangler JL.

Made of quality stainless steel and featuring a high clearance design, this system offers dramatic improvements in horsepower and torque, ideal for demanding off-road rides. The install is simple enough for newbies and the exhaust sounds are loud and aggressive—just the way us backwoods Jeepers like it.

K&N

K&N does one thing and does it well—improving vehicles’ air intake capabilities. Having invented the reusable high flow cotton air filter for automobiles and motorcycles back in 1969, the company has had plenty of time to hone its craft.

For JL owners looking to get the most performance from their engines, the K&N 63-1576 Air Intake System features an aerodynamic polyethylene intake tube that provides a smooth, low-restriction path for airflow to the engine. That means less turbulence, less heat, and more horsepower.

The system features a reusable, oversized High-Flow Air Filter™ that captures engine contaminants within multiple layers of cotton fibers, promising more air flow and greater service intervals. Additionally, the enclosed air box provides extra protection while off-roading. Installation can be completed in as little as 90 minutes, and the entire system is backed by K&N’s 10 Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty.

Injen

Injen is far from new to the intake/exhaust performance game. The company’s Power Flow intake system for the JL Wrangler is built upon years of experience.

Injen is one of our favorite aftermarket brands on this list of must-have new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL

Designed to work with stock calibration, the Power Flow features a one-piece sealed housing that uses the company’s patent-pending Twist-Lock technology to securely attach either a SuperNano-Web Dry air filter or 8-layer Cotton Gauze oiled air filter in place. And with piping available in either a polished or wrinkle black finish, customers can be sure their Injen system looks as good as it sounds.

MBRP

Those Wrangler owners looking for an axle-back setup, the MBRP 2.5” Axle-Back Dual Rear Exhaust might just be the perfect fit.

MBRP is one of our favorite aftermarket brands on this list of must-have new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL

Constructed of Mandrel-bent tubing and available in stainless or aluminized steel, as well as a black-coated murdered out version, this system is top-notch quality at a value price. A bolt-on, no-weld design with a direct fit to the OEM hangers makes installation easy. And the specially-tuned exhaust notes reflect the added performance with a refined growl.

PYPES

PYPES Performance Exhaust focuses on replacing stock compression-bent exhaust systems with ones that are mandrel-bent. Why? Because with years of experience, the company knows that a mandrel-bent system can flow twice as efficiently, greatly increasing a vehicle’s power.

With expertise in American performance vehicles all the way back to the 1950s, the JL Wrangler’s exhaust is in good hands with a PYPES upgrade. A complete PYPES Wrangler JL HGC exhaust system includes Street Pro Mufflers and features the highest ground clearance for a JL in the automotive aftermarket.

CORSA

The look, performance, and sound of a JL Wrangler all improve when it gets upgraded with a CORSA dB Performance Axle-Back Exhaust system. With a high ground clearance, stainless-steel construction and variety of exhaust notes, it’s several levels up from the JL’s stock exhaust components.

CORSA is one of our favorite aftermarket brands on this list of must-have new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL

Available with a tip or dump-style exit and optional Hi Temp Black Powder Coat, this easy bolt-on model with TORCA clamps will have owners smiling at the performance improvement and super-easy installation.

Gibson

Specializing in cat-back performance exhaust systems, Gibson’s 2019 Wrangler JL upgrades have hit the market in high demand.

Gibson is one of our favorite aftermarket brands on this list of must-have new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL

Specially designed with off-road demands in mind, the Cat-Back Dual Split exhaust system is mandrel-bent to ensure quality performance while the dual rear exhaust tips give a great balanced look and sit high enough to clear trail obstacles. Adding power and low-end torque, this system both looks and sounds exciting.

Superchips

Plenty of Wrangler owners want to add more horsepower and torque to their rig. Not all of them have the know-how to do it by themselves. The Superchips TrailDash2 is a great way to get those improvements without turning a wrench (or paying someone else to).

Looking for hot new performance products for the Jeep Wrangler JL? Check out Superchips TrailDash2.

This hand-held device, with an intuitive graphic interface, analyzes and tunes the vehicle’s performance, adding smart horsepower from the get-go all the way to an open throttle. Building on 30 years of innovation, this tuner is the first-to-market offering pre-loaded programming for the JL Wrangler.

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