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Ok who's a member of the LIFTED MK CLUB?

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#521 ·
Still Dissapointed

:doh:

The dealer still did not do the wheel alignment correctly.

Sure, it is "in the green, therefore in specs" but the front is visibly cambered out and the rear is visibly cambered in.

My Patriot feels unstable. Also, when changing lanes, where the lanes are clear, and the line between the lanes had a lot of snow, it grabs and jumps into the other lane rather violently. Also, when in 4wd, with excellent traction, it launches hard to the right.

Are these behaviors normal with the RRO lift and 245/65R17 Destination A/T?

:confused:
 
#522 ·
2009 vs 2014

What are all of the differences between the 2014 and the 2009 suspensions?

I parked my (RRO lifted with 245/65/R17 tires) 2009 Patriot next to a brand-new-bone-stock 2014 Patriot at the dealership, and they both are exactly the same height. :( That sucks.

If I put new struts and springs from a 2014 in my 2009, will that do the trick?
 
#523 ·
Toolmaster said:
What are all of the differences between the 2014 and the 2009 suspensions?

I parked my (RRO lifted with 245/65/R17 tires) 2009 Patriot next to a brand-new-bone-stock 2014 Patriot at the dealership, and they both are exactly the same height. :( That sucks.

If I put new struts and springs from a 2014 in my 2009, will that do the trick?
Click to expand...
Sounds like you have some sagging springs. The "upgrade" in 2010 I believe was to use the FDII springs on all 4wd models. It is a 1" increase. If you frequent heavy loads you might want to invest in some custom springs.
 
#524 · (Edited)
Update...

After the initial lift install,then tire and wheel replacement 235/70/16 on 16x8 5x4.5 bolt pattern and 4.5" back spacing....I drove the 600 mile(1000 km.) "settling in" of the suspension,after lift...I went back in to have the alignment checked and adjusted if necessary...and I'm happy to say no problems at all just some minor tweaking after settling,and that was it(I think it took them 1/2 hour or less to tweak it into perfect spec...I dropped off the riot,then walked over to a place to have breakfast,when I got back it was done already!!! sweet!!!:pepper:)...... :pepper:.....I have the alignment sheet and everything is nicely within spec...and the riot drives smooth and sweet.

As far as gas mileage after the bigger wheel and tire+lift...well.....on the highway at 90kmh. I'm getting 8.6L/100km.(probably better than that on a longer haul) which is over 30+mpg,can't complain about that:D:D!!!!! I lose a bit in the city,but nothing big...most of my pavement driving is highway anyway.

I am very happy with the whole lift wheel-tire upgrade,it has been a very good experience(the shop I took the riot to to have the work done,is a very big reason things went smoothly these guys know what they are doing!!) and this mod has transformed the riot into a more capable off road vehicle,plus it looks and feels so darned cool driving around lifted with the bigger meatier boots!!!:D

Cheers,
Bill.
 

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#525 ·
rcguymike said:
Sounds like you have some sagging springs. The "upgrade" in 2011 I believe was to use the FDII springs on all 4wd models. It is a 1" increase. If you frequent heavy loads you might want to invest in some custom springs.
Click to expand...
Fixed that for ya Mike. Here's a pic of my 2010 sitting next to a 2008 that used to sit at identical heights before my lift. Both FDI's.
Image
 
#526 ·
Jeeperitis said:
After the initial lift install,then tire and wheel replacement 235/70/16 on 16x8 5x4.5 bolt pattern and 4.5" back spacing....I drove the 600 mile(1000 km.) "settling in" of the suspension,after lift...I went back in to have the alignment checked and adjusted if necessary...and I'm happy to say no problems at all just some minor tweaking after settling,and that was it(I think it took them 1/2 hour or less to tweak it into perfect spec...I dropped off the riot,then walked over to a place to have breakfast,when I got back it was done already!!! sweet!!!:pepper:)...... :pepper:.....I have the alignment sheet and everything is nicely within spec...and the riot drives smooth and sweet.

As far as gas mileage after the bigger wheel and tire+lift...well.....on the highway at 90kmh. I'm getting 8.6L/100km.(probably better than that on a longer haul) which is over 30+mpg,can't complain about that:D:D!!!!! I lose a bit in the city,but nothing big...most of my pavement driving is highway anyway.

I am very happy with the whole lift wheel-tire upgrade,it has been a very good experience(the shop I took the riot to to have the work done,is a very big reason things went smoothly these guys know what they are doing!!) and this mod has transformed the riot into a more capable off road vehicle,plus it looks and feels so darned cool driving around lifted with the bigger meatier boots!!!:D

Cheers,
Bill.
Click to expand...
30MPG!? Are you sure they didn't top off your tank for you too?

sask_riot said:
Fixed that for ya Mike. Here's a pic of my 2010 sitting next to a 2008 that used to sit at identical heights before my lift. Both FDI's.
Image
Click to expand...
TY! I always get confused because technically you could buy a 2011 model in 2010...silly car companies and their marketing schemes:D
 
#533 ·
I had my Rro kit installed today, but the shop that did the alignment was having a very hard time aligning the front and rear. Also the front springs are binding, like they're popping away from the strut. The people that did the install said the alignment was close but everything is maxed out. Do you think something was installed incorrectly, or is that just how the Rro kit fits?
 
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#534 ·
98rangerdave said:
I had my Rro kit installed today, but the shop that did the alignment was having a very hard time aligning the front and rear. Also the front springs are binding, like they're popping away from the strut. The people that did the install said the alignment was close but everything is maxed out. Do you think something was installed incorrectly, or is that just how the Rro kit fits?
Click to expand...
That sounds like something is installed incorrectly. Or not torqued down. You shouldn't have any "binding". They are notoriously hard to align though. My alignment was $300(approx. 3X the base cost).
 
#535 ·
JLutz said:
98rangerdave said:
I had my Rro kit installed today, but the shop that did the alignment was having a very hard time aligning the front and rear. Also the front springs are binding, like they're popping away from the strut. The people that did the install said the alignment was close but everything is maxed out. Do you think something was installed incorrectly, or is that just how the Rro kit fits?
Click to expand...
That sounds like something is installed incorrectly. Or not torqued down. You shouldn't have any "binding". They are notoriously hard to align though. My alignment was $300(approx. 3X the base cost).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I checked the springs when I got home and there isn't any binding, just the alignment is off both front are rear. I checked the new rro rear upper arm and there's still lots of thread inside of it so I know backing it out more will correct the rear alignment issues. I spoke with the shop that did the install and they said they'd re align again tomorrow morning for free. So I'm trying again tomorrow.

Just to confirm though, the front and rear should go back to 100% stock alignment with the rro provided front cams and rear upper arm correct? Is there anything else that needs to be replaced for the kit to align properly?

Any tips or tricks I can let the shop know about how to align? Thanks guys!
 
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#536 ·
Some of the guys here can probably even let you know what the numbers are for theirs Rangerdave. I'm not sure exactly what the issues are. I took my jeep to a shop that has done work for a couple other forum members and they knew what they were getting into. I can say my handling is almost no different now. The only thing I've noticed is a little more "body roll" when it's cornering. Not much but I'm glad I put new shocks in.
 
#537 ·
So the alignment shop got the front end a tad closer to stock specs, but it's still off a tad. Is that normal? Also, he said with the rear end, he can either get the camber correct but the tow will be off, or the tow corrected but the camber will be off. He said the rro rear arm is maxed out and there's no more adjustment to get it aligned perfectly. Any suggestions? Should I take it to a jeep dealer and have them align? Or is what my alignment guy saying correct?
 
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#538 · (Edited)
Alignment after lift..

There is an alignment spec. range it will be a green zone,so many degrees to so many degrees, and the camber and toe should fall within it.I have my spec sheet and all alignment angles are in the green zone,within the specification.
After initial 4 wheel alignment, after the lift install,I drove around,to let the suspension "settle" for about 1000 or so kms to then go back and have the necessary small tweaks here and there to get the alignment dialed right in.

She works great now,tracks true and the steering wheel spoke is dead center while driving down a straight road,so everything is true and straight.

The shop I took it to had mechanics there who really know the alignment game....that is what is important,having someone who really knows their stuff,whether it is a tire suspension shop or dealership to do the work...

When I talked to RRO about this when I ordered the lift kit they told me of instances where 4 mechanics tried to align one with no luck...the 5th guy...bang no problems aligned it no problem....I found a good shop,they got it aligned with no hassle.

My suggestion is to ask around and find out what shop has the best alignment guys and go there.



Cheers,
Bill.
 
#539 · (Edited)
I'm lifted 2" and now I am on bigger tires just jumped into a sset of grabber stx in 245/65 r 17 on a set of wrangler rims and a 1.5" spacer
 
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#540 ·
Finally got the alignment figured out

The patriot is finally back to spec, the rear is still a tad negative camber, but it's in the green. Love the way it drives and looks!
 

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