Without a doubt, one of the easiest mods that just about anyone can do to their Jeep JK Wrangler, even those without ANY mechanical experience, is to upgrade their factory air cleaner with a cold air intake system. And, by far, one of the best cold air intake systems available on the market today is made by AIRAID. Affordable and extremely easy to install, the AIRAID Cold Air Intake System is designed to deliver more air to the engine and is routed in such a way to draw it from the coolest location in your engine. Of course, with more air flow, your engine will see a slight boost in horse power and torque. And, being that this kit is used with an easy to clean, reusable filter and for added protection, can also be used with a pre-filter, you can be sure that your engine will still be protected with superior filtration.
The write-up below will show you just how easy it is to install this great cold air intake system.
What You Will Need
• 8,10,13mm Socket/Wrench
• 5/16″, 7/16″ Socket/Wrench
• 3/8″ Drive Ratchet
• 6″ Ratchet Extension
• Standard Flathead Screwdriver
• Small Flathead Screwdriver
• Phillips Screwdriver
• 5/32″, 7/32″ Allen Wrench
Installation Instructions
This is a pic of all the things you will get with your new AIRAID 2007-11 Jeep JK Wrangler Cold Air Intake System. Make sure that you have everything in the list before you begin this project.
1. Unlock the IAT sensor on your Jeep’s air intake tube by pulling back the red tab on the wiring harness connector.
2. Squeeze the wiring harness connector and then disconnect it from the IAT sensor on the air tube.
3. Using a flat head screwdriver, loosen the hose clamp securing the air tube to the air cleaner box.
4. Again, using a flathead screwdriver, loosen the hose clamp securing the air tube to the throttle body.
5. With both hose clamps loosened, wiggle the air tube free of both the air cleaner box and throttle body and then remove it from your Jeep.
6. Carefully insert a small flathead screw driver in between the IAT sensor and the grommet holding it in place. Rotate the IAT sensor so that your screwdriver is making contact with one of the two plastic ridges extending from the base of it as shown in the pic to the left. Then, carefully pry the IAT sensor out of the air tube. NOTE: the IAT sensor is very delicate and will break easily if you are not VERY careful with this step.
7. Grab the CCV hose firmly and pull it off your Jeep’s air cleaner box.
8. Grabthe air cleaner box and pull it up and out of the engine compartment.
9. Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully pry out the 2 lower rubber grommets that previously held your air cleaner box in place.
10. Install the 2 provided well nuts into the 2 lower holes that you just removed rubber grommets from.
11. Using a 10mm socket, remove the bolt securing the plastic factory air cleaner tray to the body of your Jeep. Save this bolt as it will get reused.
12. Using a 10mm socket, remove the bolt securing your radiator to the support as shown.
13. Take the bolt that you just removed, insert it through the round hole on the L-bracket provided with the kit and then thread it back into the radiator support as shown. Leave the bolt loose for now.
14. Use the 7 small 6-32 screws, flat washers and kep nuts provided to assemble the AIRAID Cold Air Dam panels together. The kep nuts are spoked and so all you really need is a phillips screwdriver to fasten the hardware together.
15. Carefully lower the AIRAID Cold Air Dam into your engine compartment and on top of the factory air cleaner tray.
16. Use the factory bolt you removed back in step #11 to secure the AIRAID Cold Air Dam and plastic factory air cleaner tray to the body of your Jeep. A 10mm socket will be needed for this job.
17. Using 2 of the 3/8×1 button head bolts provided with the kit, secure the bottom of the AIRAID Cold Air Dam to the well nuts you installed back in step #10. A 7/32″ allen wrench will be needed for this job.
18. Using 1 of the 1/4″ button head bolts, 1/4″ flat washers and matching serrated nut, secure the last AIRAID Cold Air Dam mounting hole onto the L-bracket you installed back on step #13. A 5/32″ allen wrench will be needed for this job.
19. Tighten the bolt securing the L-bracket and radiator support using a 10mm socket.
20. Place the smaller of the 2 hose clamps onto the narrower end of the reducing hump hose provided.
21. Install the narrower end of the reducing hump hose onto your Jeep’s throttle body and secure it in place by tightening the hose clamp. You will need a flathead screwdriver for this job.
22. Install the rubber grommet provided into the AIRAID intake tube as shown.
23. Slip the larger remaining hose clamp onto the wide end of the reducing hump hose.
24. Install the AIRAID intake tube onto the reducing hump hose.
25. Rotate the AIRAID intake tube down and slip the opposite end into the round opening on the Cold Air Dam.
26. Using the 2 remining 1/4″ button head bolts and washers provided, secure the AIRAID intake tube to the Cold Air Dam. A 5/32″ allen wrench will be needed for this job.
27. Carefully reinstall the IAT into the AIRAID intake tube.
28. Reinstall your Jeep’s CCV hose onto the AIRAID intake tube.
29. If you purchased an AIRAID pre-filter, be sure to install it on your AIRAID premium air filter now.
30. Carefully install the air filter onto the end of the AIRAID intake tube.
31. Secure the AIRAID premium air filter in place by tightening the hose clamp with a flathead screw driver.
32. Install the provided weather stripping along the top edge of the Cold Air Dam.
33. Take a step back and enjoy looking at the fruits of your labor.
34. If you live in California, make sure to apply the CARB decal somewhere on or near the Cold Air Dam.
And, that’s pretty much it. Your 2007-11 Jeep JK Wrangler now has one of the finest Cold Air Intake systems installed. 😎
is there any real gain with this system theres really no cold air routed to that filter and routing it further down you risk water damage
it seems like there are gains but, without having done a dyno myself, it’s hard to say for sure. airaid has dyno charts that they’ve posted up on their website and, they seem believable.
I installed this the other day and I noticed that it blocks the fuse box from opening. Any suggestions to fix this?
I am pleased with the K&N drop-in replacement filter and I have noticed very good gains as well.
Very easy to install without the added expense of a cold-air intake and taking a number of components apart, discarding them.
the lid just snaps into the hinges and, it’s a pain but, you can just pop it off.
I’ve actually done this exact install to my 08 Wrangler. It is quite easy and I’m not much of an auto mechanic. It’s actually one of the very first things I did when I purchased the Jeep. It also came with a free TBS at the time. I actually did it for the fuel mileage gain though and as part of the whole air flow system upgrade, not stand alone. I did CAI, TBS, high efficiency plugs and 0 resistance wires, Jet stage 1 chip and MBRP exhaust. I noticed a difference but to say it was a “holy cow” moment would be lying. I would say that yes there is more power and yes my mpg’s are better and yes it sounds sweet, but worth the investment…a dyno would have to show me the numbers because they aren’t big. I do properly maintain the filter as well. I haven’t looked in a while but I don’t recall it blocking the fuse box.
How’s this perform when running through mud/water? It’s a dry filter right? So it’s easy to clean after a mud run?
Also..any difference with their poweraid throttle body spacer?