My 95 2.5 YJ had a restriction in the molded tube that exits the stock air box into the intake. Wasn't very thick/restrictive, removed it along time ago when I installed the K&N filter. Popped it out with a couple of flat head screw drivers. Live in the dusty desert. If you go on a off road trip, it's dusty, and your following other vehicles recommend you check the K&N and clean if needed at the end of the trip. The 2.5 jeeps don't have a lot of power. Mine worked good on flat ground and bigger hills. Drove it 70-75 mph in city traffic for years and some rugged off road trips. No matter what I did to it, it struggled going up into the mountains. Bought my jeep new in 95. Some of the things that can help a little I have done over the years: K&N filter, spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap & rotor, clean the throttle body, aluminum rims, cat back exhaust, and roller rockers. Never went over a 31" tire. Got the best gains from cat back exhaust, roller rockers, and switching from steel to lighter aluminum rims. If you believe your jeep should have more power, recommend you check the cylinder compression. My jeep has over 350k miles on it. The compression was dropping. Time for a engine rebuild or engine swap. Swapped in 1.9 TDI diesel. Love it, now flys through the mountains. Don't have to shift down with power to spare. With my low skill set it was a huge amount of hours to complete the swap. Good luck!
