This has been rolling around in my head a little bit as of late and I hope someone can clarify it...

Here's the deal: Per Jeep's own website, the FDII package provides one inch extra ground clearance (with skid plates installed). If the skid plates hang down an inch, they would need to lift the Patriot two inches in order to gain that extra one inch ground clearance.

How do they get the extra two inches?

Can a non-FDII owner do the same and add a lift (like the RRO lift) to get a total of 4.125" lift?

:confused::confused::confused:

The Skid Plates attach straight to the sub-frame. Where does the idea come from that they hang down and inch?

so far i know the extra inch comes from the bigger tires.

Correct me if i´m wrong.

Bigger wheels and tires provide the extra height.

I have the same wheels and tires that come on the FDII so why don't I have 9 inches of ground clearance instead of the 8 inches I have? It has to be taller springs.

28" tires v 27.3" and a little bit different spring. The advertised 1" is over the Patriot Sport FWD. The Limited 4X4 is about .5" over the Sport with the same 27.3' tires and different springs (not the same as FD II springs). As close as I've been able to calculated is the FD II springs will add .15" or that little bit is due to "marketing".

There are 7 different springs used on the MK's depending on FWD, Sport, Limited, FD I and FD II or what ever combination that you have. Example: My Compass Limited FD I (listed as having SDC "Touring Suspension") has 8.4" of gc - stock, as advertised, with code ZFG front and ZFV rear springs . With lift kit and 29.1" tires I have 11 1/2" gc measured at the same spot that gave me a 8.4" reading.

i just always thought it was marketing...

The Skid Plates attach straight to the sub-frame. Where does the idea come from that they hang down and inch?

The holes for the bolts are recessed by what looks like an inch in the photo. I figure there is probably some where near that amount of gap between the protected components and the top-side of the skid plate when installed.

If the plates were in direct contact an impact would transfer its force directly through to the elements being protected. Here (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1638&d=1204765299) is the photo I was basing things on.

Unless the lowest portion of the Patriot is not that of the elements being protected...

I thought I would have a look at mine and I reckon that the ground clearance on my Limited CRD (which is a FDI) with Road tyres it is just shy of 8 inches at the lowest part of the underside.

The recesses are .755 deep but the engine area is not the lowest part of the chassis. These are somewhat comparable shots of an FD II and my Compass from the rear looking forward. It appears that at least the side rails and drive shaft are lower.

I was just under my FDII yesterday admiring the view. Their is no space for the most part between the skid plates and what they protect. In other words they don't hang down.

Coicidentially, I was on the lot 2 days ago and they had a trail rated right next to the non-trail-rated. There was more than a inch difference in height (not necessarily ground clearance, both had the upgraded white-lettered tires. I don't think there are two different size white-lettered goodyears available. I am sure someone will correct if I am wrong.

Yes springs get you part of the ground clearance at least.