2015 Jeep Wrangler JK
Combining iconic style and legendary off-road capabilities, there is no match for Jeep’s Wrangler. With their 2015 JK model, changes are minimal. The two-door and Unlimited four-door come in three different trim levels: Sport (base model), the more upmarket Sahara, and the made for intense off-roading Rubicon. The 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK features the Pentastar 3.6L V6 Engine with variable valve timing that delivers 285 horsepower with 260 lb-ft of torque, and the optional trailer tow package can cart up to 3,500lbs.
Escape Tricky Situations with Ease
The 2015 JK is built for the trails and off-roading adventures. And if you’re spending most of your time on unpaved surfaces and in unpredictable driving situations, the chances of getting stuck or stranded increases pretty dramatically. And while the 2015 Wrangler has a strong 4x4 system and good obstacle clearance, you can boost that inherent off-roading capability further with the addition of a winch. The general rule of thumb for any winch is that its pulling capacity should be 1.5X the loaded trail weight of your rig. Motor strength and gear ratio are two critical components of any winch system. The former dictates the line speed - how fast the winch line is extended or retracted from the drum. The second is a measure of the capacity of the winch. A low ratio winch will have better torque multiplication and therefore higher pulling capacity. The last aspect to consider with winches is heat. Heat is the enemy of an electric winch and will quickly kill it if left unchecked. Thus, when installing a winch, make sure it receives good airflow, and when actually using it, proceed slowly and pause operation if necessary to keep temperatures in check.
Add some Height, Increase Performance
Another fantastic way to enhance the off-roading performance of your JK is a lift kit. Adding height increases the clearance between your undercarriage and whatever you’re crawling over, improving both articulation and handling. A leveling or lift kit will also allow for larger tires and the additional aggressive appearance and abilities they bring as well. There are several different options, depending on what you’re looking for:
- Leveling Kit: The most budget-friendly option, a leveling kit usually consists of polyurethane coil spring spacers that go on top of the factory coil springs. This will bring up the front end of the Jeep and level out its overall look. These kits boost ride height by 1-2".
- Mild Lift Kit: Working in the 2-3" range, these kits feature taller coil springs as well as shocks or shock extensions in order to accommodate for the new vehicle height. They produce a stiffer spring rate, ideal if you’re also upgrading to heavier accessories such as a winch, bumper or heavy spare tire.
- Big Lift Kit: The most costly option, this kit includes not just springs and shocks but also control arms, track bar, track bar bracket and all required hardware to ensure premium off-roading capabilities while also correcting all of the potential issues that can come from lifting and thus changing the geometry of your Jeep. This type of package can push your 2015 Wrangler up to 6" higher.
Enhance the Engine
If you’re looking to crank out as much power as possible from your Wrangler’s 3.6L six-cylinder engine, instead of upgrading what’s under the hood, consider switching up what comes out the back: the exhaust system. There are considerable gains to be made by upgrading your exhaust system: improved engine efficiency means improved fuel economy and power. From new catalytic converters, mufflers, pipes and manifolds, there are multiple parts that can be swapped out for aftermarket replacements. A performance cat-back system will ensure that the hot exhaust is discharged efficiently with minimal restriction through the piping and muffler. This recovers horsepower that is otherwise being used to push the exhaust out.
