Post about Patriot @ JK Forum (http://forum.jkboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=1699)

One of the members on the JK Board is a salesman and has driven a Patriot, in his post he talks about the dealership getting 20 in for nexts months release.

Check out the post yourself.

EDIT: Found this URL in another thread, can't figure out how to delete so I'll leave it up.

Mark

Great find. Thanks for the link.

...Me and Eric took it over to the airpark proving grounds where this new jeep passed out rigerous testing!!! So why airpark????? Well we are the closest to 4 peaks, thats where the press event will be held later this month.. source (http://forum.jkboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=1699)
Does anyone have more info on this airpark? Any video of what this proving ground looks like? I think this could go a long way in proving the actual abilities of the Patriot. This is a HUGE thing for us to know. It will definate make or break it for some of us. If the best this Jeep can do is a speed bump trail... than it is no more than a nice car.... however if it is a true 4wheeling route.. it earns the trail rating in my book.

I am really excited to see more info.

Great find. Thanks for the link.

source (http://forum.jkboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=1699)
Does anyone have more info on this airpark? Any video of what this proving ground looks like? I think this could go a long way in proving the actual abilities of the Patriot. This is a HUGE thing for us to know. It will definate make or break it for some of us. If the best this Jeep can do is a speed bump trail... than it is no more than a nice car.... however if it is a true 4wheeling route.. it earns the trail rating in my book.

I am really excited to see more info.
Airpark Jeep is in Scottsdale AZ. They actually have their own area near the dealership where you can tryout Jeeps. Aparently, Jeep plans to introduce the Patriot to the press in the Four Peaks area of Arizona soon. Airpark Jeep looks like it will be the home base for teardowns/repairs and such for that event.

Hi, I posted this in the other thread..But I will answer any questions about the patriot here. The proving grounds term was more of a joke than anything!! There is a offroad test track near our auxillery lot that tests articulation,approach/departure/breakover..45 degree side hill and sand. There are also pot holes that are 1.5' deep and rough terrain in this coarse. We do not own a course, we just borrow it from time to time. This jeep did way better than the rental liberty did!!!!! Never scraped or hit a skid plate or bumper. I would say a small 2" lift and 31" tires would make this a real trail contender without breaking the bank. You may get laughed at by all the wrangler and xj owners, I know they would all be appologising in the end;)

PS. the jeep in the photo I posted is 1 week old 1500 offroad miles and slightly trail damaged!!! his new jeep exceeded my expectations on the track and I know it would on any moderate trail.

Jason

Jason, thanks for posting here on this forum and sharing your info with us. We all appreciate it. Do you have any more pics of the test rig? Also, will you be able to let us know when the press gig happens?

Hi, I posted this in the other thread..But I will answer any questions about the patriot here. The proving grounds term was more of a joke than anything!! There is a offroad test track near our auxillery lot that tests articulation,approach/departure/breakover..45 degree side hill and sand. There are also pot holes that are 1.5' deep and rough terrain in this coarse. We do not own a course, we just borrow it from time to time. This jeep did way better than the rental liberty did!!!!! Never scraped or hit a skid plate or bumper. I would say a small 2" lift and 31" tires would make this a real trail contender without breaking the bank. You may get laughed at by all the wrangler and xj owners, I know they would all be appologising in the end;)

PS. the jeep in the photo I posted is 1 week old 1500 offroad miles and slightly trail damaged!!! his new jeep exceeded my expectations on the track and I know it would on any moderate trail.

Jason

Jason,

If you get a chance, ask a Jeep representative whether or not this vehicle could withstand or even be fitted with a rear locker. Also, if you could ask their opinion about how well a 2 - 3" lift would work with this vehicle (ie will it be too hard to make with independent suspension).

I think a lot of us are interested in how well this vehicle COULD perform off-road, and whether or not it would be worth it as a daily driver/trail vehicle rolled into one as opposed to those of us who can afford two seperate vehicles.

I think the modified version we saw at SEMA matched the vision a lot of us had for this vehicle. Personally speaking, that is what I expect...I wouldn't spend the money on the vehicle unless the end result after modification would look something like that.

As I've posted before (and I'm sure some poster here would agree), it ticks me off that Jeep mentioned trail-capability and haven't expanded upon that as of yet. LR2 has had videos for months on its capability....Jeep has nothing for the Patriot.

Thanks,
Jim

You can say that again, Jim! It's hard to sell my wife on going to check one out when they only shots we see are from the original press release some 2 or 3 years ago! Come on that's a lifetime ago in the digital age. Are they holding it over so it can compete for next years small SUV of the year?

I have emailed a few after-market companies to see if any are planning 2"-3" lift kits, rock sliders, and custom bumpers... one wasn't sure if it was ever beyond a concept vehicle.... I haven't heard anything back with prices or even price ranges...

I would love to be able to get one with the lift and some decent tires.

Jdemonto, Thanks for the updates. I can't wait to see some more photos and hear more first hand accounts.

Jason, thanks for posting here on this forum and sharing your info with us. We all appreciate it. Do you have any more pics of the test rig? Also, will you be able to let us know when the press gig happens?

They start arriving on the 19th and they will be here for 10-12 days


Jason,

If you get a chance, ask a Jeep representative whether or not this vehicle could withstand or even be fitted with a rear locker. Also, if you could ask their opinion about how well a 2 - 3" lift would work with this vehicle (ie will it be too hard to make with independent suspension).

I think a lot of us are interested in how well this vehicle COULD perform off-road, and whether or not it would be worth it as a daily driver/trail vehicle rolled into one as opposed to those of us who can afford two seperate vehicles.

I think the modified version we saw at SEMA matched the vision a lot of us had for this vehicle. Personally speaking, that is what I expect...I wouldn't spend the money on the vehicle unless the end result after modification would look something like that.

As I've posted before (and I'm sure some poster here would agree), it ticks me off that Jeep mentioned trail-capability and haven't expanded upon that as of yet. LR2 has had videos for months on its capability....Jeep has nothing for the Patriot.

Thanks,
Jim

The freedom drive II with the offroad package makes the patriot trail rated. How???? 2 speed transfercase with a locking transfer case mode and skid plate underneeth. I drove this preproduction model on a offroad test track and it handled way better than one could imagine!!!!! BTW... Iam a avid offroader!!!

Jason