Time For Recess
January 27, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
BOSS LADY
Michelle Holstien of Moreno Valley, California, grew up with a passion for cars. She took auto shop in high school for two years, and her dad, Bruce, helped her build a ’72 Ford Econoline van and a ’62 Econoline pickup.
But she really had her heart set on a Boss 302 Mustang. Just listen to her talk about the Boss: “For as long as I can remember, I have always had an interest in Bosses.
Hydro-Boost Brakes
Nothing is more terrifying than cruising down the street to the fairgrounds when some idiot pulls out in front of you and you have to jump on the binders. Making a panic stop can be difficult when you are trying to stop 800 throbbing horsepower with a set of 9-inch rotors and single-piston calipers. You might even wonder if it will stop as you mash the brake pedal. When it comes to street rods with big motors, one braking concern is vacuum pressure. Is there enough? Many high-performance camshafts add power to the motor but produce low vacuum levels. This is something to consider when selecting your engine components. Of course, if the motor fails, you will have no vacuum, so stopping will be a real problem.
Inside the Hottest Booths at SEMA 2025
The SEMA Show stands alone as the ultimate proving ground for the automotive aftermarket world. No other event brings this level of innovation, craftsmanship, and straight-up creativity together in one place. Everywhere you turn, there’s something new—fresh tech, wild ideas, and custom builds that push boundaries in ways only SEMA can inspire.
Spotlighter
Product Showcase: Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2026
Our Favorite Product Finds from the 2026 Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
Author
Jamie Dent
Photos by Scott Killeen and Courtesy of Stellantis
The 2026 Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion didn’t simply roll into Pigeon Forge, Tennessee—it took the place over. For three days, the LeConte Center and surrounding streets were packed with lifted Wranglers, built Gladiators and enough off-road hardware to empty a Jeep owner’s wallet before lunchtime.
Inside and outside the show, vendors brought the good stuff: aggressive tires, suspension upgrades, high-powered audio, modern climate-control systems and engine packages capable of turning an ordinary Jeep into a full-blown monster. If it made a Jeep louder, faster, taller, tougher or just plain cooler, chances are somebody had it on display.
Naturally, we went looking for the products that demanded a closer look. We wandered the aisles, crawled around booth vehicles and tracked down some of the coolest Jeep parts, upgrades and custom builds at the show. We even caught Jeep pulling the cover off a new Smoky Mountain Special Edition Wrangler inspired by the mountains surrounding Pigeon Forge.
These aren’t necessarily the only products worth talking about—there was far too much at the Invasion to catch everything—but they’re the ones that stopped us in our tracks.
The Gear That Grabbed Our Attention
The 2026 Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion didn’t simply roll into Pigeon Forge, Tennessee—it took the place over. For three days, the LeConte Center and surrounding streets were packed with lifted Wranglers, built Gladiators and enough off-road hardware to empty a Jeep owner’s wallet before lunchtime.
Inside and outside the show, vendors brought the good stuff: aggressive tires, suspension upgrades, high-powered audio, modern climate-control systems and engine packages capable of turning an ordinary Jeep into a full-blown monster. If it made a Jeep louder, faster, taller, tougher or just plain cooler, chances are somebody had it on display.
Naturally, we went looking for the products that demanded a closer look. We wandered the aisles, crawled around booth vehicles and tracked down some of the coolest Jeep parts, upgrades and custom builds at the show. We even caught Jeep pulling the cover off a new Smoky Mountain Special Edition Wrangler inspired by the mountains surrounding Pigeon Forge.
These aren’t necessarily the only products worth talking about—there was far too much at the Invasion to catch everything—but they’re the ones that stopped us in our tracks.
2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain Special Edition
Jeep used the 2026 Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, as the perfect setting to debut the new 2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain Special Edition. The limited-production model is the 10th release in Jeep’s Twelve 4 Twelve series and celebrates the people, scenery and outdoor lifestyle surrounding one of the country’s largest Jeep gatherings.
Based on the four-door Wrangler Willys, the Smoky Mountain edition is more than a dressed-up mall crawler. It comes standard with 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, 17-inch smoky-black wheels, Dana 44 front and rear axles, a 4.10 axle ratio, locking rear differential, steel rock rails and a trailer hitch. An available Xtreme 35 package adds 35-inch KO2 tires for owners who want even more trail capability. Engine choices include the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic.
The Smokies theme continues with a Gloss Black grille, black tow hooks, body-color fender flares and hardtop, and distinctive Smoky Mountain hood graphics. Inside, black Ferndale cloth seats feature Terracotta stitching and embossed 1941 Willys parachute logos, while a bear-and-cub shifter medallion and a special swing-gate plaque pay tribute to the region. Best of all, Jeep says the package costs only $80 more than a comparably equipped Wrangler Willys. Read the official announcement.
Alpine Audio: Upgrades That Fit Like Factory
Alpine has been a major name in automotive audio for more than five decades, producing everything from receivers and speakers to amplifiers and subwoofers. For the 2018-up Jeep Wrangler JL and 2020-up Gladiator JT, Alpine offers vehicle-specific systems that deliver better sound and updated technology while fitting naturally into the factory interior.
The available in-dash options start with the i407-WRA-JL, which features a 7-inch anti-glare touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio and an HDMI input. The larger i509-WRA-JL gets a weather-resistant 9-inch HD touchscreen, wired or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Hi-Res Audio playback and dash-camera compatibility. Both are designed for a plug-and-play installation while retaining factory controls and the factory rearview camera.
Jeep owners looking for more volume can choose the PSS-24WRA complete sound system, which includes upgraded front and soundbar speakers, an 8-inch powered subwoofer and a four-channel amplifier. The 300-watt PSS-23WRA offers another straightforward speaker, amplifier and under-seat subwoofer upgrade, while the weather-resistant SPV-65-JLT replaces the factory soundbar speakers with a set of 6.5-inch components.
Alpine also offers a few fun extras for life beyond the pavement. The waterproof Turn1 Bluetooth speaker includes a bracket that mounts it to a Jeep roll bar, making it easy to take the music along at camp or on the trail. For more bass without giving up useful cargo room, Alpine’s dual 8-inch Halo subwoofer enclosures fit behind the rear seat of a Wrangler JL or beneath the rear seat of a Gladiator.
Hankook Dynapro Tires for Every Level of Off-Road
Hankook Tire & Technology has grown from its 1941 beginnings in South Korea into a leading global tire manufacturer serving passenger cars, trucks, SUVs and competition vehicles. Its extensive portfolio includes the Dynapro line of SUV and light-truck tires, engineered to combine dependable road manners with the durability and traction demanded by off-road enthusiasts. Hankook also uses experience gained through major motorsports programs to advance its performance-tire technology.
The Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is an all-terrain tire designed to balance trail capability with a quiet, comfortable highway ride. Its aggressive shoulders, deep sidewall blocks and multi-directional grooves improve traction while helping protect against cuts and abrasions. The tire is 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, carries a treadwear warranty of up to 70,000 miles and was recommended by Consumer Reports in 2026. Stepping up in aggression, the Dynapro XT is a rugged-terrain tire with high-rigidity tread blocks, wide zigzag grooves and a sawtooth-style sidewall for added grip and puncture protection. It is also 3PMSF certified and backed by a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.
For Jeep owners who spend more time beyond the pavement, the Dynapro MT2 is Hankook’s extreme mud-terrain offering. Its high-void tread, reinforced shoulders and massive V-shaped shoulder lugs generate traction in mud, dirt, rock, sand and gravel while adding protection against punctures and abrasions. Built-in mud and stone ejectors help keep the tread clear, and its 3D-engineered design delivers serious off-road grip without completely sacrificing on-road comfort.
Hankook also demonstrated these tires on two trail-ready Jeeps at the 2026 Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. Adam Casto’s mud-covered 2026 Jeep Wrangler Willys was equipped with 37×12.50R17 Dynapro MT2s, putting the company’s most aggressive off-road tire in its natural environment. Katherine Beach’s Hemi-powered Jeep Wrangler 392 rode on 37×12.50R17 Dynapro XT LT tires, pairing rugged-terrain traction with the highway comfort needed for an extensively equipped overlanding build.
Turnkey HEMI Power from HighLift OffRoad
HighLift OffRoad is a full-service Jeep, truck and Bronco performance shop based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 2014, the company handles everything from routine service and bolt-on upgrades to complete custom builds. Its capabilities include suspension lifts, wheels and tires, axle gearing, driveline upgrades, fabrication, bumpers, body protection, lighting and performance modifications, along with complete HEMI and LS engine conversions.
A HEMI-powered Jeep Wrangler 392 displayed at the HighLift booth offered a ready-made example of the performance the company can build into a modern Jeep. While the factory 392 already combines serious off-road capability with V8 muscle, HighLift can take the platform much further with upgraded suspension, driveline components, armor, recovery equipment and additional performance modifications tailored to the owner’s intended use.
For customers who want to transform a Wrangler JL or Gladiator JT, HighLift offers turnkey HEMI power conversions using America’s Most Wanted 4×4 components. The options advertised at the show included a 500-horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI conversion for $39,995 installed, a 600-horsepower 426 HEMI for $49,995, a 700-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat HEMI for $59,995, and an 800-horsepower 6.2-liter Demon HEMI for $69,995. These OEM-based conversions feature a single plug-and-play PCM and are advertised with a three-year warranty covering parts and labor.
Magnuson Delivers HEMI-Style Power Without the Engine Swap
Magnuson Superchargers has spent decades developing positive-displacement supercharger systems that deliver strong, immediate power without giving up everyday drivability. Its bolt-on systems are engineered with OEM-style fit, reliable cooling and vehicle-specific calibration, making them equally at home on the highway, trail or track.
For 2012–25 V6 Jeep Wranglers and 2020–25 Gladiators, Magnuson’s TVS1900 supercharger system pushes the 3.6-liter Pentastar to an advertised 440 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque at the crank. The kit combines an efficient positive-displacement supercharger with a large intercooler, custom belt drive, CNC-machined intake ports and a vacuum bypass for instant boost response at lower engine speeds. A waterproof intercooler pump and retained high-mount alternator also make it better suited for wet off-road conditions. The show card listed an MSRP of $7,895.
Magnuson also brought a supercharged Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 to demonstrate its TVS2650 system in a finished vehicle. Designed for 2021–25 models with the 6.4-liter HEMI, the bolt-on package raises output to 603 horsepower and 562 lb-ft of torque at the crank. It includes dual charge-air coolers, upgraded billet fuel rails, a complete calibration and an OEM-style installation that fits beneath the factory hood.
The system’s instant boost and added low-end torque make a lot of sense in a Jeep loaded with larger tires, armor and trail gear. Magnuson lists the complete Rubicon 392 kit at $9,495, backed by a three-year/36,000-mile supercharger warranty.
Magnuson Superchargers
Magnuson Superchargers builds the world's most popular aftermarket Eaton TVS superchargers.
Vintage Air SureFit Systems Live Up to the Name
Vintage Air has been developing high-performance air-conditioning and climate-control systems for specialty vehicles since 1976. Operated by experienced automotive engineers and craftsmen, the company offers technologically advanced products designed for dependable cooling, heating and defrost performance. Its lineup includes vehicle-specific SureFit systems, adaptable Builder Series components and Front Runner accessory drives for classic vehicles, street rods, sport trucks and performance cars.
Among the products displayed at the 2026 Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion were three vehicle-specific Gen 5 SureFit systems. Applications include 1981–86 Jeep CJ5, CJ7 and CJ8 models, 1987–95 Jeep YJs, and 1967–91 Wagoneers and 1974–83 Cherokees. These electronically controlled systems combine separate high-capacity A/C and heater coils, variable-speed blowers, precision blend-air doors and powerful dehumidified defrost. They mount behind the dash and use vehicle-specific brackets and controls to deliver modern comfort while maintaining a clean, factory-style appearance.
Vintage Air also showcased its universal Gen 5 Builder Series evaporators, including the full-size Magnum and higher-output Magnum MAX, along with the more compact Super, Compac and Mini systems. Each provides electronically controlled heating, cooling and defrost with variable blower speed and precise temperature blending. The different case sizes and airflow capacities give builders several options for fitting modern climate control into everything from roomy Wagoneers to tightly packaged custom Jeeps.
Vintage Air
Owned and operated by experienced street rodders, Vintage Air offers the most comprehensive line of high-performance automotive A/C components available.
The Invasion Never Really Ends
From trail-ready tires and serious sound systems to modern comfort and ridiculous horsepower, the products displayed in Pigeon Forge proved there’s no such thing as a “finished” Jeep. There’s always another upgrade, another trail-tested solution or another completely unnecessary part that suddenly becomes absolutely essential.
We barely scratched the surface of everything packed into the 2026 Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion, but that’s part of the fun. The show provides enough fresh ideas to keep Jeep owners modifying, upgrading and spending money until everyone meets back in the Smokies next year.
