considering 09 Patriot with FDII off road package

DM6156 · Jan 28, 2009

Hey all. I have just joined and have been reading over the forums taking in as much info as I can.

I currently have a 2002 dodge dakota quad cab 4x4 auto with 4.7L V8. I'm considering getting rid of it and getting an 09 Patriot with the FDII off road package.

I live in Georgia where we do not usually get snow (had ground accumulation 3 times in the last 5 years) but occasionally we get some freezing rain/sleet. I do a lot of fishing in the north Georgia mountains as well as mountains of TN and NC. I am a member of Trout Unlimited and do in stream restoration work. Often on my trips I am on roads (dirt/gravel/rocks) that have stream crossings. Considering the FDII package is just a couple grand more than the FDI, I figure why not.

I've read the allpar.com website and other reviews of patriot owners (quite frankly i think many sites give chrysler vehicles unfair reviews). My 02 dakota is my 2nd dakota, my first was a 1995 CC 4x4 with 3.9L V6 auto. I have had zero major problems with either. I do not tow anything (no boats, no travel trailers, etc) and I know i'll be downgrading in the power department but upgrading in the fuel economy department. My current 02 dakota gets around 15-16 mpg combined. The dakota was an exceptional truck for the offroading I do, it has h265/75/16 tires, 3.55 LSD and 9.25 corporate axle.

Does anyone have any bad things to say about the FDII package? Is there anything exceptional about it? What kind of fuel economy do you get in your patriot with FDII off road package? What kind of driving do you do?

If I get the Patriot, it would be my daily driver. I also have an 08 dodge avenger R/T (I get 21+ mpg combined depending on traffic and 30 mpg highway with the 3.5L V6) but my wife would be taking that and selling her jetta. I have around a 50 mile commute.

We're looking to cut some costs (wife's high car payment, insure 2 vehicles instead of 3, fuel costs), get more practical vehicles for our lifestyle (still have the ability to do our camping trips and my fishing trips with water fording) and the added bonus or 2 vehicles with lifetime powertrain warranty isn't too bad either.

I realize the patriot is no wrangler or lifted cherokee when it comes to off roading. But that's ok, I do not do any serious off roading. 9" of ground clearance and 19" of water fording is more than I need.

thanks in advance for your input

- Dan M

wymtnmedic · Jan 28, 2009

It sounds like for your use that a Patriot would be a good fit. I've had mine for 3 month and I love it. The 4WD sytem does incredible in snow, mud, and rock trails. Its capability can mostly be credited to its technology. My FDII 4WD gets 22-23mpg most of the time. Could be better but I have a Yakima Roof Rack and my driving habits aren't the best but it is stil way better that the 98' XJ (Cherokee) that I traded in for it. As for the CVT Tranmission, I love mine, I kind of think of it like that show "Northern Exposure" : You kind of have to be an intellectual type of person to appreciate the CVT Tranny, mine is an 08' and the transmission has always done what I wanted it to do. It just takes a few weeks to get the feel for it but once you do, its all good. I'm tired and rambling now but I think a Patriot is for you!

ilflyya · Jan 28, 2009

I had a 2000 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 with the 360 engine. Trust me, you'll welcome the gas mpg that the Patriot offers! It was great having such a big truck, and the sound of the pipes...oh man. But I was paying more in gas each month than my monthly payments!

If I could do it over again with the Patriot, I'd gotten the off road package, but my 4x4 FDI does just fine for now

UPKEV · Jan 28, 2009

MPG - Expect 20-23. I usually average around 23 in the summer with a personal high of 25 under ideal conditions. Average around 20 in the cold winter. Over 65 mph you will start to see 20 and below depending on how much faster. This is really something to consider if you have a long commute and/or you have to drive on limited access free ways. Stop and go traffic will start to kill your gas mileage also.

If you can live with the above gas mileage then I recommend the FDII.

With the FDII you have no choice but the CVT, which is fine with me, but others miss the manual option.

However, you do get alot with the FDII Package. The fuel mileage is probably the only sizeable negative. I am not trying to discourage you by any means, I love my FDII, just trying to be realistic in my comments.

The FDI, does significantly better with MPG once one figures in a 50 mile commute.

I am sure you can read the threads, but the engine oil cooler, does a really good job reducing engine warm up time as well. I find that handy up here.

Skid plates, and tow hooks.:smiley_thumbs_up: A big advantage if you are crossing streams and don't necessarily know what kind of rocks or logs are underneath that waterline.

Height adjustable seat. I find this feature way more handy than I ever thought I would.:smiley_thumbs_up: However, you can get it on non-trail-rated with the limited package.

Of course the obvious, low range,taller/stiffer springs, reinforced cross members in the back, off road mode with hill descent etc, you can read all about that on the Jeep website.

Both the FDI, and FDII have their advantages.

Good luck with your decision.

APT · Jan 28, 2009

I agree with most of what UPKEV said. The FDII package is a bargain if you already want the CVT/automatic and the 17" wheels at about $700 extra. Like Kev said, about the only penalty is fuel economy which is 10-20% lower than the FDI CVT because of gearing. The axle ratios are 33% shorter than the FDI CVT. Thinking in terms of your Dakota, that would be like going from your 3.55 axle ratio to a 4.72.

What kind of speeds/roads/traffic do you deal with for your 50 mile commute? Is that 50 each way or 50/day? For your needs, I don't see why a FDI would be insufficient. The manual trans is yielding another 10-15% better than the FDI CVT if you are willing to drive one. I love mine. Only have a 30 mile commute currently, but I have done as much as 100 miles a day with other manual trans vehicles when I lived a little further away from work and I was taking evening classes, about 100 miles per day.

phatdilf · Jan 28, 2009

i've always wanted the FDII but having my FDI for awhile now it's really grown on me and wouldn't trade it for an FDII. One thing i wish i did have was the tow hooks and skid plates.

Terasec · Jan 28, 2009

which model is such a personal choice,
cant say whats good or bad for you,
no matter which you choose, MPG will be an improvement
for my FDII i usually get 22-24, occassionaly like last fill up i got 17.5 mpg
FDI from what i have seen here gets about 25MPG(other FDI owners can clarify their MPG's)
I dont do much offroading,
dirt/gravel roads in PA, some logging roads in upstate NY,
would do more offroading, but am usually alone and far from home, and not risking damaging my only ride home when i am +300 miles from home.
FDI should suit you fine,
if you go with FDI i would highly recomend adding oil cooler and higher alt Amp.
as those help with any car.
FDII comes with such,
one of the drawbacks of FDII is gearing ratio,
appears my FDII chugs along others dont seem to complain as much on acceleration.
overall, best bang for the buck out there
dont know of any other 4x4's priced in low 20's nowadays probably high teens with rebates.

TMan · Jan 28, 2009

My FD-II was getting around 21 mpg on the highway and rural roads, about 18 to 20mpg pure city driving during the summer, and about 13 to 14 mpg pure city driving in the winter.

UA_who · Jan 28, 2009

DM,
Sounds like the FDII would fit your needs very well.
I have the FDII and commute daily about 40-45 miles. If I drive it like I'm 90 years old (very VERY slowly) then I can get 25-26mpg. If I drive like normal - its about 22-23mpg.

Off road it's very capable, and will take you anywhere you NEED to go. But if you're looking for tough roads, you can easily find places where it can't go. Limitations are ground clearance and stock tires.

Overall it's a very capable vehicle, and probably the most practical vehicle I've ever owned.

DM6156 · Jan 28, 2009

Thanks for all of the replies everyone.

My commute is into Atlanta. My commute is 50 miles total. It's about 20 miles highway. If I leave at the right time, my highway travel is mostly 50 mph and above. Sometimes things happen and I hit some stop-and-go traffic.

I have no interest in a manual transmission, the auto is fine.

The roads I take are national park roads, US forest service roads and wildlife management areas. Roads you don't need 4x4 but do need a little ground clearance - 9" is fine. My wife and I both have family that live in areas that do get snow accumulation so there is a possibility that we would be driving in it plus as i said we do get some freezing rain/sleet.

20-22 mpg would be a huge improvement over the 15-16 I get in my dakota.

- Dan M

APT · Jan 28, 2009

You really should use a spreadsheet to understand the differences in how much that fuel savings will be. 250 miles a week, 22mg vs. 16 and $4 gallon = $74/mo saved. Today, at under $2 gallon, you save half that per month. Is it really saving to take on a higher car payment and/or start a new loan vs. finishing the payments on the Dakota? I don't know (nor my business) your financial situation and what your goals are, but you should think about more than short term cash flow when making a new vehicle purchase. Maybe just get rid of the Jetta, you drive the truck and her the Avenger. How many miles do does she drive and would she be willing to drive the Dak?

I love my Compass (Patriot's ugly twin), but I didn't have to give up my pickup that got not quite half the FE. Owning a house, I cannot imagine life without truck. Everyone is different, though.

heckler · Jan 28, 2009

some videos in case you haven't seen them yet...

plan to install the lift kit on your FDII. Too many scrapes of the undercarriage/hitch for me prior to lifting.

DM6156 · Jan 28, 2009

APT said:
You really should use a spreadsheet to understand the differences in how much that fuel savings will be. 250 miles a week, 22mg vs. 16 and $4 gallon = $74/mo saved. Today, at under $2 gallon, you save half that per month. Is it really saving to take on a higher car payment and/or start a new loan vs. finishing the payments on the Dakota? I don't know (nor my business) your financial situation and what your goals are, but you should think about more than short term cash flow when making a new vehicle purchase. Maybe just get rid of the Jetta, you drive the truck and her the Avenger. How many miles do does she drive and would she be willing to drive the Dak?

I love my Compass (Patriot's ugly twin), but I didn't have to give up my pickup that got not quite half the FE. Owning a house, I cannot imagine life without truck. Everyone is different, though.

I understand what you're saying. If I get rid of my dakota and her jetta and purchase a new patriot, I would be cutting my automotive bills over half. After a couple months of this, I could outright buy a used truck (i do my own maintenance and repair and rarely drive it so high miles is not a problem) if I needed one for home related projects. Everything that I would need to haul would fit in the back of the patriot. If I absolutely needed a truck for something I have many friends that live close by that owe me favors

so I'm covered for any emergency situation that may spring up.

Currently the dakota rarely gets driven and I log about 2000 miles a month in my avenger. With what she does, it's not too practical for her to drive the dakota nor for me to drive it as a daily driver. The avenger and the patriot would fit nicely into both our lifestyles and save us some serious cash.

- Dan M

metalhead · Jan 29, 2009

I traded a 2005 dodge dakota SLT 4.7L V8 for my 08 patriot. The gas mileage is so much better. I have saved probably $700 on gas this past year alone. I thought I would miss having a pickup truck but I don't. 8 foot long lumber fits inside if you get the folding front passenger seat option. For getting plywood or other big items I have a 4 foot by 7 foot trailer I use. I hunt in up state pennsylvania and I have the FDI and feel it will handle any trail that I would drive on. I do plan on getting the lift kit sometime. So you can't go wrong in my opinion with the patriot. Its a great vehicle.

APT · Jan 29, 2009

Hey, you don't have to justify the purchase to me, only yourself (and wife and bank, ha!). Just offering ideas about some things people don't think about.

Is your Dakota paid off?

quasimodem51 · Jan 29, 2009

metalhead said:
I traded a 2005 dodge dakota SLT 4.7L V8 for my 08 patriot. The gas mileage is so much better. I have saved probably $700 on gas this past year alone. I thought I would miss having a pickup truck but I don't. 8 foot long lumber fits inside if you get the folding front passenger seat option. For getting plywood or other big items I have a 4 foot by 7 foot trailer I use. I hunt in up state pennsylvania and I have the FDI and feel it will handle any trail that I would drive on. I do plan on getting the lift kit sometime. So you can't go wrong in my opinion with the patriot. Its a great vehicle.

On those rare occasions where I need drywall or long lengths of lumber, I just plop down $30.00 and *rent* Home Depot's pickup or van for an hour or so. No second vehicle and i never have to scratch my Pat. Works for me.

Desert Dog · Jan 29, 2009

I have a '97 Dakota extended cab, 5.2L 4x4, auto trans., and an '07 Patriot FDII. The patriot will go more places than the Dakota. The FDII package is well worth it, in my opinion.

DM6156 · Jan 31, 2009

Thanks everyone for the information, very helpful. IF everything goes well tomorrow (numbers work out for me and my wife), then I'll be heading to the dealer in an 02 dakota and driving back home in a 09 patriot FDII. Wish me luck!

- Dan M

DJ XS · Jan 31, 2009

UPKEV said:
MPG - Expect 20-23. I usually average around 23 in the summer with a personal high of 25 under ideal conditions. Average around 20 in the cold winter. Over 65 mph you will start to see 20 and below depending on how much faster. This is really something to consider if you have a long commute and/or you have to drive on limited access free ways. Stop and go traffic will start to kill your gas mileage also.

If you can live with the above gas mileage then I recommend the FDII.

With the FDII you have no choice but the CVT, which is fine with me, but others miss the manual option.

However, you do get alot with the FDII Package. The fuel mileage is probably the only sizeable negative. I am not trying to discourage you by any means, I love my FDII, just trying to be realistic in my comments.

The FDI, does significantly better with MPG once one figures in a 50 mile commute.

I am sure you can read the threads, but the engine oil cooler, does a really good job reducing engine warm up time as well. I find that handy up here.

Skid plates, and tow hooks.:smiley_thumbs_up: A big advantage if you are crossing streams and don't necessarily know what kind of rocks or logs are underneath that waterline.

Height adjustable seat. I find this feature way more handy than I ever thought I would.:smiley_thumbs_up: However, you can get it on non-trail-rated with the limited package.

Of course the obvious, low range,taller/stiffer springs, reinforced cross members in the back, off road mode with hill descent etc, you can read all about that on the Jeep website.

Both the FDI, and FDII have their advantages.

Good luck with your decision.

Upkev couldn't have put it any better. I agree with his comments. I really think the FDII would be your best choice, all things considered. I feel it really comes down to mpg for you.

DM6156 · Feb 1, 2009

It's a done deal

no more dakota or jetta. hello jeep patriot

2009 jeep patriot limited
surf blue (we also have a marathon blue 2008 dodge avenger R/T 3.5L V6)
Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group
Continuously Var. Trans w/Off-Road Crawl Ratio
Security and Convenience Group
uconnect gps
sun and sound group
18 miles on the odometer

No one in Georgia stocks a patriot with FDII (standard answer - it's the south, don't need it), so we drove up to Tennessee to get it from a dealer there.

- Dan M

considering 09 Patriot with FDII off road package

DM6156

wymtnmedic

ilflyya

UPKEV

APT

phatdilf

Terasec

TMan

UA_who

DM6156

APT

heckler

DM6156

metalhead

APT

quasimodem51

Desert Dog

DM6156

DJ XS

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