2016 Jeep Wrangler
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler JK remains largely unchanged from the year prior. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is still found under the hood, mated to 5-speed W5A580 automatic or a 6-speed NSG370 manual transmission. Heavy duty Dana 44 axles , available Command-Trac 4x4 system and an electronic front sway bar disconnect continue to make the 2016 JK an off-road titan.
Breathe Beneath the Surface
With the stock airbox where it is, 2016 JK Wranglers are rated to wade into water as deep as 30-inches. For those that want to push through deeper water crossings (or live in flood prone areas!), installing a snorkel is a must. A snorkel for your Wrangler works exactly the same as if you were swimming. It provides a raised and sealed air intake and tract to allow the motor to continue to pump air even when partly submerged. Snorkel kits place the intake on the passenger side by the windshield, and then additional extension pieces can raise them to the upper edge of the windshield should the additional clearance be necessary. Using a snorkel during water crossings ensures the water is not being drawn into the engine and thereby reduces the risk of mechanical hydrolock. Installation of a snorkel on a 2016 JK is rather complex and most kits require cutting an access hole through the top of a hood access panel. For this reason it is recommended to have the installation performed by an accredited shop.
Tailgate BBQ
Given that you can remove just about every major body piece on the 2016 Wrangler, wheeling around in the open air and enjoying the sun is a major part of the Wrangler experience. When it is time for a pit stop, owners can keep the party going with a tailgate table. These nifty tables can be installed on the interior or exterior side of the tail gate (when installing on the exterior side, it will take the place of the spare tire carrier). Slim profile design makes them unobtrusive when folded away. When it is time for lunch, they easily unfold and provide a great working surface for food prep, campsite repairs or even just a place to place your drink. Ranging from a basic, utilitarian table top to a multi-level stall, all are made of 12 or 14-gauge mild steel. In terms of finish, most feature a baked on black powder coat in order to seal the metal below and protect it from rust. That said, higher end models do exist where the table top (or entire frame, bracket and table top) are made from stainless steel and are buffed to a high-polish finish.
On Demand Air
On-board air systems are extremely useful for any 2016 JK that intends to spend a lot of time on the trail. These compact air compressor systems are perfectly suited for airing up or down your tire pressure dependent on surface needs. With pump capacities up to 160 liters per minute, these tiny 12-volt titans can fill a 35" tire in two minutes. On top of tire duty, on-board air compressors can offer up big traction by working in conjunction with an air locker. Air lockers act as an open differential under normal circumstance, but when extra traction is needed (at the flip of a switch), high pressure air activates a special locking mechanism and a fully-locked differential is then achieved. Some systems are meant to mount underneath the hood whereas others take a spot in the trunk. There isn't really an advantage or disadvantage to either - under the hood is tighter to fit and then less accessible. Having on in the trunk reduces available cargo space for other gear. Otherwise, they'll both function the exact same.
