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FDI VS FDII???

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Boostedxt

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I know the differences and I will be doing VERY light offroading. as in to camp sites down somewhat maintained roads and things like that. I would assume the FDI will do just fine, but I like the idea of the FDII. The only reason for not getting the FDII is form what I can tell the gas mileage stinks. Part of why I am buying the Pat is because of the MPG.

thoughts?

joe
 
#2 ·
People say the FDII gets far worse mpg, but I have my doubts. According to the EPA, the Patriot with FDI and CVT gets 22 mpg while the FDII Patriot gets 21. Meanwhile, the manual gets 25 mpg with awd or fwd.

Basically, it's not FDII but rather the CVT that kills fuel economy. If you're cross shopping a 4x4 manual with a FDII CVT a lot of reviewers and owners would say avoid the CVT specifically.

I think if the Pat came with a manual and the low gear/transfer case it would probably get 24/25 mpg. As it is, I'd either get FDII or a manual awd.
 
#4 ·
If you are getting a CVT (automatic), then go with the FDII, preferably Trail Rated too.

The other option would be to go with a Manual FDI 4x4 and reap the gas savings, however like you aid "manual is not an option" for you. You may as well go for the full FDII with Trail Rating.




Boostedxt said:
manual is not an option. The vehicle has to be automatic. :)

joe
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
homac said:
If you are getting a CVT (automatic), then go with the FDII, preferably Trail Rated too.

The other option would be to go with a Manual FDI 4x4 and reap the gas savings, however like you aid "manual is not an option" for you. You may as well go for the full FDII with Trail Rating.
Click to expand...
Is the FDI and an automatic bad for a specific reason? My fiancee cant drive a stick.

joe
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
I had a pretty built liberty that i wheeled pretty hard. this vehicle is mainly sticking to street but the occasional camp site...I am going to post some photos and get your input if the FDI could handle no issues. Also..dumb question. 4wd lock....explain this to me. whats the top speed in this? I always dealt with the manual lever and pulling into 4hi or 4 lo. if its snowing I dont want to rely on the computer..can I put it in 4wd lock and drive normal? stupid question maybe but this system is foreign to me.

also...any idea what this vehicle is? I think its an FDI....
http://www.gododgearapahoe.com/inde...on=searchdetailUsed&InventoryID=17191197&InventoryType=Used&equipmentselected=1

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those are the toughest trails i will do...
 
#8 ·
I have FDI and CVT with autostick. My gas mileage averages 24 around town and 27 when I can cruise on the expressway. I live on Long Island, NY where "rock climbing" is not really a thing out here although driving down a rough dirt road and driving on sand and in mud or snow is. My FDI is just fine. Going to FDII would drop my mileage average by about 2-3 mpg. At 60mph the FDI cruises at 2000 rpm, the FDII cruises at 3000 rpm. The way you describe how your Pat would be used, I think FDI would be fine.
 
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#9 ·
I posted to your other thread too... Get the FDII, hands down better for CO off-roading. Already includes the essentials - Tow Hooks, Skid Plates, Low Crawl. The difference in MPG is negligible. We typically average 24 when we head to the mountains for a trail-run.
 
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#10 ·
Dawson is right, get the FDII trail rated edition, you'll be gald you did. Even if just for the better clearance, the tow hooks, and the skid plate. I like the height adjustment in my drivers seat too.
 
#11 ·
The FDII, IMHO, is worth the extra money up front, and the gas mileage isn't that much worse than the equivalent FDI with CVT.

Looking at those pictures though, I think the FDI would take you there without any problems too. The FDII would just make you feel more confident maybe.

And that Pat for sale in your link is an FDI sport.
 
#12 ·
I would say if you can get a FDII, then do so. They are not as easy to find though. When I bought mine, they only had FDI and one Manual on the lot and you always get your best deal buying one on the lot. The additional features that come pre-installed with FDII (19:1 low, skid plates, tow hooks, better abs controller for BLD and hill descent, oil cooler) make it worth it. I have a FDI and I wish I had had the tow hooks yesterday and Saturday. I could have helped pull a lot of people out of the snow. That being said, I still love my FDI. I was out driving around in 12-15" of snow, it handled like a tank and it does everything I need it to do. I average about 22-23mpg with a 80% city, 20% highway commute. If you don't drive these things hard, you can get some great mileage, regardless of FDI or FDII.
 
#13 ·
If you were in my neck of the woods (Southern ON) then I'd suggest the FD1 - because you specified light offroading... The FD1 is amazingly capable.. But since you truly believe you will be off road, and on rocky trails such as the ones you pictured your Liberty on, then I'd say the skid plates are mandatory... and if it gets slick, probably the FD2's more aggressive off-road traction control (refered to as Brake Lock Differentials, BLD, in other threads here) too.

Love my FD1, but I did put skid plates and tow hooks on it.
 
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#14 · (Edited)
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#15 ·
looking at your pictures, you need an FDII for sure, and I hope you kept those rubicon wheels! You'll want to upgrade the SRA tires after the first few flats on those rocks, and I'd go with 16" wheels instead of the stock 17" to get more air volume.

It's very similar terrain to ours in BC, and I've had to leave an FDI CVT sitting at the bottom of a small hill that was kind of steep, but nothing I wouldn't expect to run across in your terrain. The FDI CVT doesn't have the low gearing of an FDII, and doesn't have the low end torque to get slowly up steep hills.

An FDI will likely make it through most of your pictures though, but I'd add skid plates first thing! 8"-9" isn't much clearance, and the FDII comes with skids.
 
#16 ·
Pictures are kind of difficult to judge terrain difficulty with. The third picture looks like that terrain might be a problem (depending on how uneven that really is - like I said, difficult to tell from a photo) for the low ground clearance of the Patriot and open differentials of the FDI. Otherwise, I would imagine an FDI can do that, especially with careful driving. (And those are some nice pictures, by the by... I'm jealous you have access to such lovely trails!)

That said, any time the phrase "off-road" leaves the lips of the person planning on buying a Patriot, there really is only one logical choice - the FDII. The only downside I can see is the lower gearing on the FDII forcing engine RPM up during highway travel.
 
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#17 ·
Boostedxt said:
I had a pretty built liberty that i wheeled pretty hard. this vehicle is mainly sticking to street but the occasional camp site...I am going to post some photos and get your input if the FDI could handle no issues. Also..dumb question. 4wd lock....explain this to me. whats the top speed in this? I always dealt with the manual lever and pulling into 4hi or 4 lo. if its snowing I dont want to rely on the computer..can I put it in 4wd lock and drive normal? stupid question maybe but this system is foreign to me.

also...any idea what this vehicle is? I think its an FDI....
http://www.gododgearapahoe.com/inde...on=searchdetailUsed&InventoryID=17191197&InventoryType=Used&equipmentselected=1

Image

Image

Image

Image

those are the toughest trails i will do...
Click to expand...
What's everyone talking about? Those are pictures of a Jeep Liberty - like I had previously and not relevent.

I dont utilize my FD2 cababilities enough due to ok roads - but maybe up a boat ramp
 
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#18 · (Edited)
The Luigiian said:
People say the FDII gets far worse mpg, but I have my doubts. According to the EPA, the Patriot with FDI and CVT gets 22 mpg while the FDII Patriot gets 21. Meanwhile, the manual gets 25 mpg with awd or fwd.
Click to expand...
EPA says
20/22 for FDII
21/25 or 24 for regular CVT (2WD or FDI)
23/28 for manual trans (2WD or FDI)

The CVT is noticeably less efficient than the manual, but do not misquote the ratings saying FDII fuel economy is better than FDI CVT.
 
#19 ·
dixiedawg said:
Dawson is right, get the FDII trail rated edition, you'll be gald you did. Even if just for the better clearance, the tow hooks, and the skid plate. I like the height adjustment in my drivers seat too.
Click to expand...
You can get the FDI with the seat height adjustment, mine has it. The 1" of ground clearence is more psychological than anything else. The tow hooks and skid plates are a nice touch, wish I had the tow hooks, but they CAN be added to the FDI. The REAL difference is the 19:1 crawl ratio and the software programming. The real ISSUE is do you want to spend the $2000+ for those items? Given the visuals of your likely operating area, I'd say spring for the FDII. You KNOW you aren't going to stick to just those trails...
 
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#20 ·
As far as I can see, The car in the link you asked about is an FDI with CVT and 4WD. I do not see the "Off Road" badge, which would make it an FDII. Too bad the transmission lever picture didn't show the bottom and only showed the Park indication. In any case it sure looks like an FDI, 4WD car with the tire package.
 
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