How hard can I push my sport off road?

[colel]

I just bought the bare-bones Patriot Sport and was wondering how far you think I can push the FWD version off-road without getting into trouble? I normally just go camping in my old Saturn sedan but now that I am seeing all of the pictures on this forum of the Patriot going through mud and snow I am really interested in getting your opinions.

[Burly Rez Goat]

My brother has a 09 bare bones fwd, and drives it like its a 4x4. He drives it through every thing and its surprisingly very capable. A good driver can drive any thing any where.

[Billofthenorth]

Ditto the driver's skill.

In the 20s and 30s they explored the north African deserts in 2 wheel drive model Ts and As, the late 4 wheel drive writer Granville King supposedly showed up at a lot of 4x4 events in a cadillac.

Maybe you can practice on your or a friend's property or farm to learn how to unstick yourself or avoid getting stuck. I know everytime I got stuck in my CJ7 it was totally avoidable and my fault not the Jeep's.

http://www.eoearth.org/article/Bagno...A.?topic=49502

[3WideRacing]

Having that 2WD will make you think a little bit more. Don't get me wrong, I love 4WD's but I went through some pretty insane stuff with my 2WD lifted Ranger. You'll learn techniques and skill, and when and if you ever get a 4WD, will be able to use those skills, like picking the right lines, wheel speed,etc. I see alot of guys in 4WD's just haul ass, usually, in close to stock rigs. Most of the time they break, because they just figure they pound through it cause they have 4WD. The only time that I just go for it, is in a nice mud pit.

[MrMischief]

ugh.... mud pits. I need to learn to avoid them at all costs. If I'ver ever had a problem off road it's due to mud pits / water crossings. I don't know. I like to make a splash. Never been stuck and the only problem I've had is a squeak from the t-case that I never could ID and it was still there when I traded it. But I'm now up to 4 friends breaking things following me through mud or water.

[tiptronic]

If you have a 2x4 Patriot , you can go wherever a 2x4 Dodge Caliber can go . They are exactly the same thing with a different body !!

[kds]

Originally Posted by tiptronic

If you have a 2x4 Patriot , you can go wherever a 2x4 Dodge Caliber can go . They are exactly the same thing with a different body !!

You need to take into account that a lot of the capabilities are thanks to wheel placement and undercarriage height. The Caliber is smaller in both of those regards.

[handyman98]

You can probably get through a lot, but I would be careful in deep soft sand or if it is extremely muddy.

[colel]

Thanks alot. I appreciate all the opinions. I took the patriot out near spooners cove in California and went through some light sand and dirt trails and it handled it great. Nothing like parking a jeep at an empty beach


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[Soundy]

Heck, I used to take my RWD 1980 Mazda GLC through all kinds of terrain... amazing what a vehicle can power through if the driver has more nads than brains

[the_jeep_now]

Originally Posted by colel

Thanks alot. I appreciate all the opinions. I took the patriot out near spooners cove in California and went through some light sand and dirt trails and it handled it great. Nothing like parking a jeep at an empty beach


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Where in Cali are you? I've been wanting to drive on a beach for years but can't find one close by that is open for vehicles.

[Double D]

I would say don't push it any further than you would want to walk or have a tow truck come after you.

[colel]

Originally Posted by the_jeep_now

Where in Cali are you? I've been wanting to drive on a beach for years but can't find one close by that is open for vehicles.

I went up near San Luis obispo, but I live in Los Angeles. Pismo beach has an off road area. They even let you take atvs.


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[Tater1800]

If I were wanting to go off-road in my FWD sport there are a few accessories needed. Either a hitch mounted tow ring with come-a-long or hitch mounted winch.

[Earthworm51]

Drive it like ya stole it and I'm sure you'll find out.