Here is what I have so far. The spring part numbers below are from the spring identification tabs on my 2008 FDI, and on 2008 FDII, 2011 FWD, 2011 FDI, 2011 FDII, and 2012 FDII. The spring numbers have a format of digits and letters like "05105893AD". The next post has pictures of the location of the spring identification tags.
My "clearance" measurement points are accessable, hard spots on the underbody front and rear on both sides, four measurements per vehicle. I didn't try to get the lowest points front and rear. The rear point is the bottom rear of the frame rail which comes to a stop in front of the rear axle. The rear axle is to the left in the picture.
The front point is the bottom edge of a bolt which goes vertically up through the front crossmember behind the front axle. The front axle is to the right in the picture.
My "clearance" measurments are only useful for comparing the ride heights of vehicles measured at those specific points. But they can be used to compare differences in ride heights between vehicles measured similarly. I averaged the side to side figures. There was very little side to side variation. I don't have "clearance" figures from a 2008 or 2011 FDII yet. I will see if I can talk someone into providing them. We also could also use spring numbers for a 2008 FDII.
2008 -- FDI 5MT -- 1J8FF28W98D654120 -- 27.3 inch tall Goodyear 205/70R16 tires
Both Front Springs -- 05105865AD -- Front "clearance" -- 8.5 inches
Both Rear Springs -- 05105893AD -- Rear "Clearance" -- 8.0 inches
2008 -- FDII CVT -- xxxxxxxxx -- 28.0 inch tall Goodyear 215/65R17 tires
Front Spring -- ???????????? -- Front "clearance" -- ?.? inches
Rear Spring -- 05105982AC? -- Rear "Clearance" -- ?.? inches
2011 -- FWD CVT -- xxxxxxxxx -- 27.3 inch tall Goodyear 205/70R16 tires
Left Front Spring -- 05105869AD -- Front "clearance" -- 9.25 inches
Right Front Spring -- 05105867AD -- Front "clearance" -- 9.25 inches
Both Rear Springs -- 05105895AD -- Rear "Clearance" -- 9.25 inches
2011 -- FDI CVT -- 1J4NF4GB3BD131948 -- 27.2 inch tall Firestone 215/60R17 tires
Left Front Spring -- 05151899AB -- "Front clearance" -- 9.2 inches
Right Front Spring -- 05151898AB -- "Front clearance" -- 9.2 inches
Rear Spring -- 05168703AB -- "Rear Clearance" -- 9.2 inches
2011 -- FDII CVT -- xxxxxxxxx -- 28.0 inch tall Goodyear 215/65R17 tires
Left Front Spring -- 05151899AB -- "Front clearance" -- 9.87 inches
Right Front Spring -- 05151898AB -- "Front clearance" -- 9.87 inches
Both Rear Springs -- 05168173AA -- "Rear Clearance" -- 9.25 inches
2012 -- FDII CVT -- 1C4NJRFB5CD588460 -- 28.0 inch tall Goodyear 215/65R17 tires
Left Front Spring -- 05151900AB -- "Front clearance" -- ?.? inches
Right Front Spring -- 05155973AD -- "Front clearance" -- ?.? inches
Both Rear Springs -- 05168173AA -- "Rear Clearance" -- ?.? inches
Observations: The 2011 FWD and FDI "clearance" figures are better than my 2008 FDI. So it looks as though the 2011 FWD's and FDI's do have better real ground clearance than the 2008 models. Maybe better than all of the pre 2011 models except for the FDII models.
The 2011 FWD CVT and the 2011 FDI CVT have almost identical "clearance" figures, but different spring part numbers. I suspect that the reason is to provide a softer ride on the non-4X4 FWD vehicle.
The 2011 FWD, FDI, and FDII have different springs in the front on the left and right sides. The 2011 FDI and FDII have the same front springs. According to the Mopar parts counter, the 2011 FDI and FDII have the same front struts, but the left front and right front strut have different part numbers. Since the front springs and struts are different from side to side, maybe they are mirror images of each other or something.
The 2011 and 2012 FDII have different front spring numbers. The rear spring numbers are the same. I'll see if I can get clearance numbers from a 2012 FDII.
When I get more information, I will modify this post.
Rob
. The ride feel better and more stable when turning.
