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Giving a jeep patriot considerations for purchase.

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KJCRD

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
This is my first post here, so please bear with me as I do not claim to know much at all about the Patriots...

I currently am the owner of a 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel. I have learned to love my liberty. To be honest I didn't buy it because it was a vehicle I particular liked the looks of. I bought it because I wanted the VM Motori diesel. I have thoroughly enjoyed the engine in my Liberty. I have the selec-trac transfer case which I have been pretty impressed with getting me everywhere in inclement weather. I am currently looking at the Jeep Patriots as a possibly next vehicle.

My questions deal with how the patriot compares to a liberty off road. Mind you my liberty is completely stock. I would be planning to put the RRO lift on the patriot as soon as it is past the initial warranty mileage. I am really looking forward to the possibility of the change to get a 5 speed 4x4. I miss driving my manual vehicles. I drive a work truck all the time that is a 5 speed and just feel more comfortable having the ability to drive in whatever gear the situation demands. I have been doing quite a bit of reading about the patriot FDI and FDII. If I understand correctly a 5 speed 4x4 would come with a FDI system.

1. Do the 5 speed 4x4 US 2014 Patriots come with the FDI? I believe they do, but the website doesn't elaborate on the topic.

2. Does the FDI system include the brake differential lock system to keep torque going to whatever wheel can use it? Again, I believe it does, as long as I understood the explanation. Sounds like a rather desirable feature to have.

3. It appears the 5 speed version of the Patriot is available only in the Sport model, which excludes several of the desirable features, (115 V AC plug, Fold flat front passenger seat, fold flat/recline rear seats...) does anyone know if it is possible to add these features to a sport patriot? I have no idea on this particurlar question. I imagine everything could be swapped out.

4. Has anyone attempted to put a Fold flat front passenger seat in on the drivers side? I understand the issue with steering wheel interference, but was curious if it would even be possibly with seat track swapping. I was thinking the seat could be moved all the way to the back of adjustment, then folded forward to clear the wheel possibly removing headrest (if they are indeed removable). The idea of being able to fold the interior fully flat is an appealing option for camping in the patriot...

5. Also, are there any options to stay away from or options you would recommend getting?

I figured this would be the best place to pose these questions and get some valuable opinions. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. The wife and I are considering making the change in the next couple few weeks.
 
#2 ·
I have a 5 speed, the FDI comes with the 5 speed due to the low gearing ratio for FDII isnt avaiable with the manual tranny

there is a 4WD lock on the manual to evenly distribute power between the wheels that can use it

for the right price you could probably have them put anything you want in it

idk about the driver fold flat seat, never thought about that
 
#3 ·
Welcome! You're correct on your first three questions. 5 speed is only available on the Sport trim and comes as FDI package. FDI does get BLD option but not as agressive as FDII. I would think you can get some features added to the Sport trim but not 100% sure. Can't comment on #4 and don't recall anyone raising such question before. Many people had sunroofs leak so I'd suggest to stay away from that option. The fold flat front seat and reclining rear seats are for sure nice features to have. If you opt for FDI, I'd recommend getting the All Weather Package that gives you tow hooks, full size spare, DRLs and 17" rims (which could be not ideal if you want to find AT tires for).
 
#4 ·
Well... in my experience, I've been off roading A LOT in my FDII patriot, and I've been out with liberty's and because of the Open/open diffs of the liberty and the aggressive BLD's on the patriot The libby got left behind on what I thought was not all that difficult of a trail. Both with a 2" lift, and both running 30x9.5" tires. The libby had more power, but it didn't do it any good when climbing washed out hills.

I did go out with a more modified libby, with an auto locker in the rear... no contest my patriot was put to shame, especially in the bigger hill climbs.

I would agree with getting one with the all weather package, if you can find one (they don't exist in AZ) the FDII is a pretty big MPG penalty, and while I loved mine, if I used it as a DD it would be a bit of big pill to swallow. (I drive 60+ miles a day)
 
#5 ·
Yeah, if the 5-spd is a non-negotiable for you, then you'd be getting the FD1 with fewer off-road toys, but 5+ mpg(American-calculated miles per gallon...didn't see a location on your post) better than FD2. I personally love having no cruise control and having to crank my windows, as that makes it more of a raw drive, more Jeep-like, etc., but that's just me. As far as I know, nobody's tried putting a fold-flat on the driver's side, but there was one guy from Omaha that made his Patriot liveable and used the passenger fold-flat seat. His build thread is still around. Compared to a Euro Liberty, I can't say all-around, but compared to a V6 US Liberty, the Patriot will get probably 5-10mpg better overall, accelerate a little slower when stomped on but still be decently zippy, hold a little less stuff, and be a bit less willing to take on trickier trails off the road, but it'll be equally at home two-tracking or in the suburbs. It was designed to be a modern-day general-purpose vehicle, and that's exactly what it is. Not excelling at any one task, but doing all that it does well enough to be an ideal family vehicle and trainer.
 
#6 ·
Keep in mind the fold flat passenger seat option was discontinued in the 2015 model year. The rear seat in a Sport will still fold flat; it just won't recline. You can buy an AC outlet that will plug into your 12V outlet from Amazon, eBay, etc. A deal breaker for a Sport model for me would be the lack of an height adjustable drivers seat.
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
I am from Rural Southern Illinois. The better MPG of the 5 speed is one of the attractive points. I am pretty sure the manual windows and locks would be fine with me, however the wife would like the power, and I believe those are available options. The cruise control appeared to come as well from the vehicles I have looked at. I can live without the 115v AC plug as it is pretty simple to just lug along my ac-dc convertor, which can be hard mounted and given a factory like install if desired. The fold flat front seat was on of the options that really appealed to me and the fact it isn't in a 5 speed liberty is incredibly disappointing.

I have swapped seats between probably 10 plus vehicles before and it is a really simple swap especially for same models. Typically side to side swaps are easy as well. just possibly leaving adjustment in a difficult location to access, which usually isn't too big of an issue. I had just been looking at the images of the interiors and as soon as I saw the fold front passenger I instantly had thought of a fold flat drivers side swap. basically just unbolt a passenger seat from the seat track and swap it onto a driver's track. I am SURE at least for a while that will be a cost prohibitive idea due to the issue of finding a patriot in the Junkyard with matching interior, but not impossible.

I guess I have been truly disappointed in the manufacturer's of newer vehicles not really meeting most of my desire's for a new vehicle.

1. 4x4
2. manual transmission
3. capable to get my wife 35 miles to work in 3-4 inches of snow (we had several days of that weather the last few years here)
4. get good enough fuel economy to be willing to take it on a LONG vacation trip without breaking the bank.
5. be able to use the interior as a tent at least until we are blessed with children this is a very appealing ability in a vehicle to take on some 2 track trips we have been talking about
6. able to get out our 1/8 mile driveway without plowing or shoveling with at least 6-8 inches of snow.

The Liberty does most all of this very well. On the highway loaded down with camping gear we have gotten 26.7 MPG the last trip we took with plenty of power out of the little CRD. However, parts are pretty expensive and I am looking at the timing belt/water pump replacement in the next 20000 miles and that is a $1400 dollar job to have done and would require some specialty tools I do not have. So if I take into account that amount the trading or selling the liberty for a Patriot looks more and more appealing.

Right now it looks like we could take our equity we have built up in the liberty (I have owned it for a bit over 2 years) and sell it outright and put every bit of it into the patriot and get a vehicle with about 80000 miles less, and slightly lower our payment on the vehicle. I would still be able (allegedly) to haul around my 4x6 enclosed trailer occasionally and get fuel economy similar to the CRD patriot.

Seems like a pretty good deal really. Just a pretty big decisions and the wife and I are discussing our options pretty regular right now.

I like the fact that the lift is a simple affair on the Patriot. The bumpers, should we be interested in anything are relatively reasonable priced, and I especially like the looks of the patriot. I like the boxy looks quite a lot. My wife is thrilled with the "hill start assist" as described as that happens to still be her biggest fear with the manual transmission vehicles. She has driven several of my ford ranger's and bigger ford truck's with manual transmissions, but she has mentioned the great appeal of that particular feature for her. Can anyone describe the exact use of the feature so I can better describe it in use to her? Pretty sure it just maintains break pressure while you release the pedal until forward motion is achieved. But I have not driven anything with the feature yet. (Stick shift 4x4 patriots are hard to find in southern IL)

Thank you all for the input. Does anyone with the fold flat front seats have any additional pictures of the seat folded forward directly from the side to have a reference if the headrest would clear the steering wheel if all the way adjusted rearward on seat track? Also, do the headrests of the patriot actually remove from the seat backs?
 
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
We are looking for a 2014 on a dealer lot with options we can live with. We aren't opposed to flying somewhere to drive the patriot back if it has the options we want. I know there are several on one lot in Colorado.

I didn't realize they had discontinued the option for 2015 though. Another reason to get a move on...

The height adjustable seat isn't a deal breaker. The liberty had a non adjustable seat height, but we were already discussing possibly looking at getting parts to swap to fold flat front seats. I doubt that the seat height adjust tracks would be too much more trouble.

I gave the all weather package some thought, however you have to get the tire & wheel package in order to get the package and I am not interested in the 17" rims. I would rather save the money from not getting that option to get a better offroad wheel and tire in addition to the stock set of steel 16" that would come with the patriot. I can always add tow hooks after the fact or better yet get a offroad bumper/winch mount for the front instead.
 
#9 ·
SBDFAN said:
Keep in mind the fold flat passenger seat option was discontinued in the 2015 model year. The rear seat in a Sport will still fold flat; it just won't recline. You can buy an AC outlet that will plug into your 12V outlet from Amazon, eBay, etc. A deal breaker for a Sport model for me would be the lack of an height adjustable drivers seat.
Click to expand...
my 08 sport has adjustable drivers seat, fold flat passengers, rear reclining seats, and 110V on the center console. In fact it's got every option available besides heated leather, EVIC, and auto temp, which wasn't introduced until 2010 anyway... it even had factory cross rails before I sold em. It's all about what options you add to the sport models.
 
#11 ·
Mine is a sport, and has the height adjustable drivers seat, but that does come with the FDII, and you can't get a manual in the FDII, just the CVT.

You will be surprised how good the Patriot does in snow. I have driven many 4x4's in my life, and I'm old, and have 2 other 4x4's besides the Patriot, and IMHO the Patriot is one of the best snow vehicles I have ever driven.

I have a long driveway and do not plow either. Sometimes I need to throw chains on if there's a lot of ice under the snow. Here's a video of my 08 going up the drive, I'll get videos of the 14 this winter. We had a meet at my place one winter several years ago. There was a 5 speed FDI, and an Auto FD1, and my auto FDII, and all made it up ok.

 
#12 ·
I just want to jump in and touch on the fold flat seat question...

I would imagine that the swap could be done, but you would most likely void at least some part of your warranty coverage. The engineering that goes into the driver's seat will be tied to safety related issues, so if you were to change it out you may run into serious problems with insurance coverage, etc in the event of an accident.

Another thing to keep in mind is the 2013+ Pats (i think that was the year) all have seat mounted side airbags. If you take a front pass seat out and swap it for the driver seat your airbag will be on the wrong side.

Hope that helps some :)
 
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#13 ·
When I was searching for a FDl Sport with All Weather Pkg. there were very few in the great lakes area. Finding one with the 5 speed will be a challenge.
 
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#14 · (Edited)
the 5 speed is available in older models in the latitude edition like in my jeep. I think when they added the new 6 speed auto, they got rid of the option for a 5 speed manual except in the sport.
Mine also has the fold flat front passenger seat and all the power windows/lock option, heated seats and a regular plug outlet.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I had not thought about air bags. I had assumed (incorrectly apparently ) the side airbags were housed in roof not the seats. I thought it was only airbag sensors in the seats.

Still to many unknowns to make a decision. I think this weekend we are going to go test drive any and all patriots we can find near us for sale. Perhaps we will find one we will have to have (doubtful), or at least learn more.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
ColoradoMan said:
the 5 speed is available in older models in the latitude edition like in my jeep. I think when they added the new 6 speed auto, they got rid of the option for a 5 speed manual except in the sport.
Mine also has the fold flat front passenger seat and all the power windows/lock option, heated seats and a regular plug outlet.
Click to expand...
Does anyone know for sure the last year of the 5 speed latitude then?

Perhaps a used patriot will be better for me.
 
#18 ·
The 2014 model year was the first year the side airbags (in the front seats) were standard. Other years you had to get the Security and Cargo convenience group to get the side airbags. The roof mounted side curtain airbags have been standard for a while.
 
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SBDFAN
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