Jeep Patriot discussion w/ pics page 2

Jeger · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:55 am

I couldnt find much discussion about the upcoming patriot so I thought I would start one.

Was just taking another look at the patriot on jeeps website http://www.jeep.com/en/07patriot/gallery/
They have a 360 degree view that I hadnt seen before. Looks like it has a very flat underbelly. It will be interesting to see what is the weak point when people start taking them offroad. And I wonder how high you could lift it until you run into problems. I suppose all we can do is wonder until they come out though. I think they should have skipped the compass and just made the Patriot.

What does everyone else think?

Standard Equipment
2.4-L DOHC 16-valve I4 engine
Front-Wheel Drive
Anti-Lock Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
Independent MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
Multi-Link Independent Rear Suspension
Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Advanced Multi-Stage Front Air Bags
Side Curtain Air Bags
Side Door Guard Beams
Three Point Seat Belts
Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Traction Control and Brake Assist
Belt Alert® System
16-inch Styled Steel Wheels
All Season Tires
Compact Spare
Halogen Headlamps
AM/FM Stereo Radio with Single CD Player and Auxiliary Jack Input
Four Speakers
Electroluminescent Instrument Cluster with Tachometer
Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Sentry Key® Theft Deterrent System
Front and Rear Floor Mats
Vinyl Load Floor Covering
12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Vinyl Upholstery
Fold Flat 60/40 Split Rear Seat
Available Equipment
Reclining 60/40 Fold-Flat Rear Seat
458-Watt Boston Acoustics® Sound System with 9 Speakers and Swing Down Articulating Rear
Speakers
AM/FM Stereo Radio with Six-Disc CD Changer and MP3 Capability
SIRIUS® Digital Audio Radio
UConnect® Hands-Free Phone
YES Essentials® Fabric
Driver Adjust Manual Lumbar
Leather Trimmed Seats
Heated Front Seats
115V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Fold-Flat Front Passenger Seat
Reclining Fold-Flat 60/40-Split Rear Seat
Freedom-Drive IITM Off-Road Group
9 Speaker Premium Sound Group
Trailer Tow Prep Group
Security and Cargo Convenience Group
-Leather Interior Group
Air Conditioning
Speed Control
Keyless, Illuminated Entry
Tonneau Cover
Vehicle Theft Security Alarm with Motion Sensor
Fascia-Mounted Fog Lamps
Deep-Tint Sunscreen Glass
Tow Hooks
Continuously Variable Transaxle Second Generation (CVT2)
Four-Wheel Drive
Electronically Controlled Coupling (ECC) with Selectable Four-Wheel Drive Lock
Selectable Off-Road Four-Wheel Drive
17-inch Aluminum Wheels
All-Terrain OWL Tires
Full-Size Spare Tire
Skid Plates
DIMENSIONS – EXTERIOR
Wheelbase, in. 103.7
Track, Front, in. 59.8
Track, Rear, in. 59.8
Overall Length, in. 173.6
Overall Width, in. 69.1
Overall Height, in. 64.4
Ground Clearance, P215/65/R17 tires and skid
plates, in.
8.0
Maximum Tire Outer Diameter, in. 28
Approach Angle w. Off-Road Group 28.0
Breakover Angle w. Off-Road Group 21.0
Departure Angle w. Off-Road Group 32.1
DIMENSIONS – INTERIOR
Seating Capacity, F/R 2/3
Front Headroom, in. 41.0
Front Leg Room, in. 40.6
Front Shoulder Room, in. 54.6
Front Hip Room, in. 52.3
Rear Headroom, in. 39.6
Rear Leg Room, in. 39.6
Rear Shoulder Room, in. 54.0
Rear Hip Room, in. 51.0

Wahoo650 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:01 pm

The Patriot is on the same platform as the Compass (and Dodge Caliber). Don't see it going off road.

Jeger · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:06 pm

Wahoo650 wrote:

The Patriot is on the same platform as the Compass (and Dodge Caliber). Don't see it going off road.

Somebody will take it offroad. And eventually somebody will lift one too. Its just a matter of time.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:24 pm

The have IRS.. We get most of our flex from our rear axle. They wont flex very good so they probably wont be very good.. Would be good for mild trail trails and fireroads with small rocks and things.. Its front wheel drive also so..

gopherbeats · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:37 pm

why does every thing have to be so boxy... I like the curviness of the liberty (before 2008)
If I wanted to drive a box i would have put wheels on my the carton my refrigerator came in...

Elwenil · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:55 pm

If someone does take it offroad I can almost guarantee that the CVT2 transaxle will be a problem. Those things are unpredictably annoying and I can't imagine trying to wheel with one.

Apple · **Joined:** Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:20 pm **Posts:** 18

They are advertising available equipment:
Selectable Off-Road 4 Wheel Drive
17 Inch Aluminum Wheels
All Terrain OWL Tires
Skid Plates
So no one told DC that it's no good for off-road.

chefdab · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:24 pm

If I recall correctly, the Patriot is supposed to have the "Freedom Drive 2" option which also has a low range. Why would you need a low range if you're just driving fire roads or in the snow?

chrisroth1 · **Joined:** Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:16 pm **Posts:** 69

Quote:

They are advertising available equipment:
Selectable Off-Road 4 Wheel Drive
17 Inch Aluminum Wheels
All Terrain OWL Tires
Skid Plates
So no one told DC that it's no good for off-road.

the skid plates are for jumping curves as they race through the mall parking lot trying to get the last parking space

Apple · **Joined:** Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:20 pm **Posts:** 18

chrisroth1 wrote:

Quote:

They are advertising available equipment:
Selectable Off-Road 4 Wheel Drive
17 Inch Aluminum Wheels
All Terrain OWL Tires
Skid Plates
So no one told DC that it's no good for off-road.

the skid plates are for jumping curves as they race through the mall parking lot trying to get the last parking space

Now that was funny. I guess rock rails should also be considered to protect from out of control shopping carts.

SS-Virus · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:21 pm

Looks very nice, but the main problem is the size (as I think) it's small and the engine 2.4-L DOHC 16-valve I4 engine & Front-Wheel Drive only :evil:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:25 pm

chefdab wrote:

If I recall correctly, the Patriot is supposed to have the "Freedom Drive 2" option which also has a low range. Why would you need a low range if you're just driving fire roads or in the snow?

4low is good to pull boats around in a yard thats on a hill. I use it all the time. I could never move our boat on our hill without 4low. I would burn the tranny completely up.. I use it when offroading too, thats just another good use for it.. :lol:

Not that the 4banger in the patriot will pull anything..

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:50 pm

As most everyone else has hit on it. My biggest drawback to purchasing the Patriot (if I wanted one) would be the FWD platform and the CVT. It'll be a great vehicle I am sure and there will be a loyal following for it (just like us and the Liberty) but I think of it like a beginner Jeep.

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:50 pm

chrisroth1 wrote:

Quote:

They are advertising available equipment:
Selectable Off-Road 4 Wheel Drive
17 Inch Aluminum Wheels
All Terrain OWL Tires
Skid Plates
So no one told DC that it's no good for off-road.

the skid plates are for jumping curves as they race through the mall parking lot trying to get the last parking space

Funny. The XJers said the same thing about the KJ. Wow...

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:03 pm

Marlon_JBT wrote:

chrisroth1 wrote:

Quote:

They are advertising available equipment:
Selectable Off-Road 4 Wheel Drive
17 Inch Aluminum Wheels
All Terrain OWL Tires
Skid Plates
So no one told DC that it's no good for off-road.

the skid plates are for jumping curves as they race through the mall parking lot trying to get the last parking space

Funny. The XJers said the same thing about the KJ. Wow...

The kj has some hope though. Its has a SRA, its rear wheel drive, has a real engine, can tow, can easily be lifted up to 3".. Thats just a few..

Dont get me wrong, I really like the Patriot. I like anything jeep makes b/c Im loyal to the Jeep brand. Even the.. gasp.. Compass..

Wahoo650 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:49 am

Loyalty or not, it's still a rebodied Dodge CAR. More along the lines of a Subaru. Definitely has a place, but not designed or destined to be an off road "Jeep" in the way jeeps have always been revered. Where the Liberty started the mall rated trend, the Compass and Patriot take it even further. It's all about market share folks. Create stepping stones for brand loyalty. Get them young and hope they move up the ladder with each new purchase. I think DCX has made it painfully clear that off roading is not priority one at Jeep.

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

Wahoo650 wrote:

Loyalty or not, it's still a rebodied Dodge CAR. More along the lines of a Subaru. Definitely has a place, but not designed or destined to be an off road "Jeep" in the way jeeps have always been revered. Where the Liberty started the mall rated trend, the Compass and Patriot take it even further. It's all about market share folks. Create stepping stones for brand loyalty. Get them young and hope they move up the ladder with each new purchase. I think DCX has made it painfully clear that off roading is not priority one at Jeep.

I can't believe how they are just jumping into the car segment. Not exactly testing the waters. I was just at the dealer and they were making off brand new Compass' by $5K. I hope Jeep doesnt run themselves into financial issues by making cars that no one asked for.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:38 pm

With some American Ingenuity...someone will get a 2" long travel lift with some BFG Baja tires on it and make a decent desert runner. Add a light weight roof rack w/ a rooftop tent, some auxilary lights on the rack, smooth skid plates underneath, snorkel with some Baja style bumpers...not so bad. The biggest problem would be the powerplant. A supercharger kit would be nice.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:08 pm

I like the little bugger. Much better than the compass. Black moabs? I like those a lot. I think as long as the CVT and drive system holds together it will be a fine ride for the occasional camping trip and winter time driving, backroad explorer etc.

dog_party · **Posted:** Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:11 pm

I like the light bar and the roof rack that comes all the way up to the A pillars. That front bumper is cool too.

I'll keep my KJ though. :-)

Jeep Patriot discussion w/ pics page 2

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