AIRAID 2012 Jeep JK Wrangler Cold Air Intake System Installation Write-Up

I love my new 2012 Jeep JK Wrangler and all the awesome "get up and go" it has right of the box but, if there's a chance I could get a bit more out of the 3.6L V6 Pentastar engine and help it to sound a bit sweeter at the same time, you know it's something I'm gonna do. Needless to say, recently I picked up the all new AIRAID Cold Air Intake system to help me to do just that and I have to say, I'm really happy with what I got.

Specifically made for the 2012-Up JK with it's new Pentastar engine, the AIRAID Cold Air Intake System is computer designed to provide maximum air flow, which in turn means more horsepower, torque and improved performance. The AIRAID Premium Filter that comes with the kit is made to offer a filtration performance that is second to none, is 100% washable, reusable and features a Lifetime “No-Hassle” Warranty.

Below is an installation write-up to show you just how easy it is to install one of these cold air intake systems in your 2012-Up JK.

What You Will Need
• 10mm Wrench
• 11/32, 7/16" Wrench & Socket
• 3/32, 5/32, 7/32" Allen Wrench
• Ratchet
• Ratchet Extension
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Small Flathead Screwdriver
• Hacksaw
• Scratch Awl
• Ruler
• Bench Vice
• Hand Drill
• 3/32" or 1/8" Drill Bit


You May Also Want
Because of the harsh, dusty and sometimes wet enviroments we wheel in, I opted to get an AIRAID Pre-Filter which slips over the their Premium Filter.

Part #799-445



Also, you might want to plan ahead and order a Filter Tune-Up Kit:

Aerosol Spray Part #790-551
Squeeze Spray Part #790-550


Installation Instructions
What all you will get with your new AIRAID JK 3.6L Pentastar Cold Air Intake System.


1. Open your hood and then, using a 10mm wrench, disconnect the negative lead on your battery.


2. Grab your engine cover and lift up on it until it comes free of the snaps. Set it aside for not.


3. Disconnect the Air Temperature Sensor which is located on the side of the factory intake near the throttle body. There is a tab on the plug that you will need to depress while pulling.


4. Using a 10mm wrench, remove the 2 bolts securing the intake tube to the fan shroud.


5. Separate the coolant hose from the clips on the intake.


6. Using a flathead screwdriver, loosen the clamp securing the intake to the airbox and throttle body as shown.




7. Separate the intake from the airbox and throttle body and remove it from the engine compartment.




8. Firmly grab the crankcase breather hose and pull it off the airbox.


9. Firmly grab the airbox and pull up while wiggling it a bit until it comes free of its mounting gromets. Remove the airbox completely from the engine compartment.


10. Locate the Filter Adapter, new Cold Air Box and 1/4-20x1/2" button head bolts and 1/4" flat washers provided.


11. From the inside, insert the Filter Adapter through the large circle hole on the Cold Air Box as shown.


12. Using the 1/4-20x1/2" button head bolts and 1/4" flat washers provided, secure the Filter Adapter to the Cold Air Box. You will need a 5/32" allen wrench for this job.


13. Using the 1/4-20x5/8 bolts, 1/4" washers and nylock nuts provided, install the Air Scoop Bracket onto the outside of the Cold Air Box as shown. You will need a 7/16" socket and wrench for this job.




14. Using a hand drill with a 3/32" bit, drill out the rivet heads securing the air scoop to the factory airbox.


15. Remove the air scoop simply by pulling it out of the airbox.


16. Place the factory air scoop on a workbench, measure 3" up from the base and then make a mark with a scratch awl on all 4 corners.


17. Use a ruler to help scribe a straight line connecting the 4 marks that you just made.


18. Secure the air scoop in a bench vice and then use a hacksaw or Dremel to cut along the scribed line you just created.


19. Insert the factory air scoop into your new Cold Air Box and secure it in place as shown using the 8-32x3/8" button head bolts, flat washers and kep nuts provided with the kit. You will need an 11/32" wrench and 3/32" allen wrench for this job.


20. Back under the hood, firmly grab and pull out the 3 factory gromets that were used to secure the factory airbox to the inner fender.


21. Install the 3 large well nuts provided with the kit in place of the factory gromets as shown.


22. Insert the new AIRAID Cold Air box assembly into your engine compartment.


23. Secure the new Cold Air Box assembly onto the inner fender well nuts using the 3/8x1-1/2" button head bolts provided. A 7/32" allen wrench will be needed for this job.


24. Install the 5/8" barbed fitting into the threaded hole on your new AIRAID Intake Tube as shown.


25. The Air Temperature Sensor from your factory intake tube is locked in place. To remove it, you will need to rotate it in a counter cockwise direction until it is in the open position and can be removed safely. You may find it necessary to use a small flathead screwdriver to gently lift up on the locking tab while rotating it to clear the locking cleat. Remember, this is a plastic sensor and very easy to break so make sure you do all this very carefully and without using too much force.


26. Once in the open position, pull up on the Air Temperature Sensor while gently rocking it back and forth and it will eventually come out of the tube. Again, this is a delicate sensor made of plastic and easy to break so make sure to be very careful while working on it.


27. Install the factory Air Temperature Sensor that you just removed into your new AIRAID Intake Tube with the locking tab pointed toward the threaded hole as shown. The O-Ring will make it tough to get it all the way in and you may find it helpful to use a small flathead screwdriver to carefully work around the O-Ring and tuck it in. You DO NOT want to damage the O-Ring or the sensor so take your time and be very careful.


28. Secure the Air Temperature Sensor to the Intake Tube using the 8-32x1/2" button head bolt and #8 fender washer included with the kit. A 3/32" allen wrench will be needed for this job.


29. Slip one of the large hose clamps provided onto the Double Hump Hose and install it on the straight end of the Intake Tube as shown. Leave the hose clamp loose for now.


30. Install the Silicone Reducer onto the 90° bend of the Intake Tube and slip a large and small hose clamp onto it as shown. Leave the hose clamps loose for now.


31. Slip on the last large hose clamp onto the open end of the Double Hump hose and install it onto the Cold Air Box assembly as shown.


32. Install the Silicon Reducer end of the Intake Tube onto the throttle body.


33. Double check that everything is on and properly aligned and then tighten all the hose clamps to secure the Intake Tube in place. A flathead screwdriver will be needed for this job.




34. Remove the factory crankcase breather hose by grabbing it firmly and pulling it off the hard plastic tube as shown.


35. Slip one of the speed clamps over the new 5/8" hose provided with the kit and install it onto the hard plastic tube as shown. Secure the hose in place by squeezing the speed clamp together.


36. Slip a speed clamp onto the opposite end of the new 5/8" hose, install it onto the AIRAID barbed fitting and secure it in place by squeezing the speed clamp together.


37. Reach below the Intake Tube and reconnect the wiring harness to the Air Temperature Sensor.


38. Slip the 2 Adel Clamps provided with the kit onto the coolant line as shown.


39. Secure the Adel Clamps onto your fan shroud using the 6mm bolts and 1/4" flat washers provided. You will need a 7/32" allen wrench for this job.


40. Remove the 2 factory engine cover grommets by prying them off to the side as shown.


41. Install the new taller grommets provided with the kit onto your engine cover.


42. Reinstall your engine cover by snapping it in place.


43. If you opted to get an AIRAID Pre-Filter like I did, you will want to install it now simply by slipping it over the Premium Filter as shown.


44. Slip the large hose clamp over the neck of the AIRAID Premium Filter, drop it into the Cold Air Box, install it onto the Filter Adapter and then tighten the hose clamp with a flathead screwdriver to secure it in place.


45. Peel the backing off the gasket provided and affix it onto the bottom of the Air Box Lid.


46. Peel the protective film off the Air Box Lid, place it on top of the the Cold Air Box and secure it in place using the 1/4-20x1/2" buttonhead bolts and 1/4" flat washers. You will need a 5/32" allen wrench for this job.


47. Use a 10mm wrench to reconnect your negative battery lead and double check your work.


And that's it, you're done! You now have an awesome AIRAID Cold Air Intake System installed on your 3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine.


Please let me know if you have any questions

Awesome write up, have mine on the way. Hoping it gets here before the end of the week, so I can use it this weekend. :beer:

Awesome air intake system it looks good! :thumb: Thanks for the write up!

Nice write up, I was torn between the air raid and banks. ended up going with the banks tho because it was in stock and i'm an impatient man :rock:

Great write up! How's the butt dyno registering this intake :brows: ? Also, with cutting the existing air scoop is there much chance of messing that up or is there a pretty good margin for the cut?

bang vs buck$

What is the gain of this system as apposed to adding a K&N air filter in the stock box? It would seem without having a larger opening for the air to get in the gains would be minimal. It looks cool...

well, i won't comment on actual performance gains as i have not done a dyno on it but only because i haven't been able to do a dyno on our 12 at all. the new computer makes this nearly impossible and, while it probably can be done, i'm not willing to spend that kind of money to do it.

having said that, i do like the way it sounds and i did feel performance gains but by how much, i can't tell you for sure. running 37's on 4.10 gears with the 3.6 isn't bad at all but, with this addition, i feel like i'm just about driving a stock jk with 32's again.

wayoflife said:

well, i won't comment on actual performance gains as i have not done a dyno on it but only because i haven't been able to do a dyno on our 12 at all. the new computer makes this nearly impossible and, while it probably can be done, i'm not willing to spend that kind of money to do it.

having said that, i do like the way it sounds and i did feel performance gains but by how much, i can't tell you for sure. running 37's on 4.10 gears with the 3.6 isn't bad at all but, with this addition, i feel like i'm just about driving a stock jk with 32's again.

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Sweet! BTW--are you pulling this before you take it in for the engine code?

Edit: nevermind. Just saw the install above and I answered my own question. Idiot!

MTG said:

Sweet! BTW--are you pulling this before you take it in for the engine code?

Edit: nevermind. Just saw the install above and I answered my own question. Idiot!

Click to expand...

past experience dealing with dealerships has taught me that if they're honest and are willing to help you, they will regardless of what mods you have unless it is clear that the mod caused the problem. likewise, they can find any reason under the sun to not help you and make it hard as hell to get anyone else to help you as well. this is the reason why i laugh at the idea of a warranty. for my purposes, i know this is a real problem and a common one and i just want it fixed. i'm going into this with the understanding that i will most likely have to pay for it even though i shouldn't have to but, if it turns out that i don't, i'll call it a stroke of luck.

Got it installed and on the trail this morning. Money well spent. My '12 sounds like a beast when accelerating now and the extra power is noticeable. Can't wait to throw an exhaust under it and get it sounding even better.

Just ordered this intake w/ the oil-free filter. Got it for about 276 on amazon, it was the last one they were selling in house but keep an eye out on there if you want to save some $$. I'll update with my thoughts after the install!

Just finished the install, Airaid's instructions were good but your write up was much better to follow! Took it on a quick test run, sounds awesome I may have noticed a slight difference in performance but that could be all in my head. All in all very happy with my purchase!

Installed mine today. The project-jk / wayalife writeup should be included with the intake - so much better than the standard instructions. Very straightforward project and a short drive tells me that the engine sounds are more "throaty," complementing my Evolution exhaust nicely. Not sure about power gains or placebo effect - gotta drive it more.

Did any of you also change the Throttle Body Spacer?
Oiled versus SynthaMax?

Bessie said:

Did any of you also change the Throttle Body Spacer?
Oiled versus SynthaMax?

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Nah, TB spacers are just snake oil. Tried them in the past and they do nothing.

wayoflife said:

Nah, TB spacers are just snake oil. Tried them in the past and they do nothing.

Click to expand...

Oiled versus SynthaMax?
What is the difference?

I installed this intake and an aFe exhaust at the same time. I notice some seat-of-the-pants improvement, and an awesome sound

Now Eddie, I know I'm just a newb to the site, but I couldn't resist asking: in one of your pics you are using a small ruler that states: "Conservation - A Way of Life". I've gotta know if that was just a coincidence or some kind of inspiration for the site name itself??

Bessie said:

Oiled versus SynthaMax?
What is the difference?

Click to expand...

One uses an oil to trap dust and debris and the other is a non-oiled filter that you can just wash. The later is newer technology and what most people seem to be moving toward.

Majik said:

I installed this intake and an aFe exhaust at the same time. I notice some seat-of-the-pants improvement, and an awesome sound

Now Eddie, I know I'm just a newb to the site, but I couldn't resist asking: in one of your pics you are using a small ruler that states: "Conservation - A Way of Life". I've gotta know if that was just a coincidence or some kind of inspiration for the site name itself??

Click to expand...

:cheesy: We live in socal and we have to deal with the lack of water all the time. This was a ruler given out by the water district to help home owners understand how to conserve better but, I liked it because it was small, durable and flexible. The fact that it has the "way of life" on it was just a bonus

Just finished installing this (throttle spacer, too). I didn't even look at the instructions from airaid. I just used your write up. Awesome job! Thanks!

Any word when this will be Cal CARB compliant? Airaid's site has no info. I have a 2012 also. I guess the hope is that it'll be compliant when our first smog check needs to happen?