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Modify Jeep Patriot to tow 2000 lbs instead of 1000?

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seekinshadows

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi all.
Now first let me give a warning, I know little about the mechanics of a vehicle. Not totally dumb about it but sure as heck couldn't get tech certified.

Here's my question. I'm getting a Jeep Patriot. Really want one with 2000 lb towing capabilities and with wiring harness. However, I can't afford a new 2010 (getting out of a Hyundai elantra deal gone bad that I'm upside down in on the loan). For some strange reason there are very few used Patriots around the Denver area with the towing package.

So, dealer man says "My mechanic says it can be modified for the higher towing capacity and it will cost you another $800".

I know they won't lift it an inch - which the Freedom Drive II models are one inch higher, but I want to know if that sounds right. I know it's different gear ratios, etc, but can it simply be modified for that little of a cost or is this guy pulling my leg.
I'm a girl so I expect car salesmen to lie to me :p
I want to go in there with some ammo in case he's yankin' my chain.

Thanks in advance for the info!!!
 
#2 ·
I think it is the 2.4L engine (as opposed to 2.0L), extra oil (transmission) cooler and a more powerful alternator which allows for more towing.
 
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#3 ·
Dear SIS, I installed a oil cooler, $110, hitch $125, and trailer wire harness, $100, total $335. I would say it took under 4 hours to do it all, and most shops charge up $100 hour, so that would be around $735. That being said you should be able to find some one to do it cheaper than that, I know would do for a little over $100. My advice is to hold out for a trial rated patriot with the tow package. If you willing to fly to Fargo ND, there is a nice used red FDII on our local Chrysler lot.
 
#4 ·
The tow rating difference is due to the engine oil cooler. Add one to any 2.4L Patriot and you'll be good. There are other parts needed like the wiring and a receiver, but you need those on any Patriot.
 
#5 ·
Welcome to the site SIS!

The last two posts were good answers for you. If you can find an FD2, I think it would be great for your area. You'll still need to add a hitch and wiring harness though.

You might want to redo your math on new Vs used though. Often with dealer incentives, lower interest rates, etc, sometimes new can be had for just about the same monthly cost as used. And then it's what you want, and you have a warranty.

I often, and might this fall, trade a vehicle before I need to replace expensive items (tires, brakes, CVT service, etc) and figure a slightly higher monthly payment is better than making the current payment plus out-of-pocket for the maintenance costs.
 
#6 ·
I have done this. All I did was add the hitch, the towing wiring harness, and added the mopar oil cooler myself. That's all that is needed. to ensure that your patriot is rated to tow 2000lbs.
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Hey everybody. Thanks for the info. It seems like it wouldn't be too bad to increase the tow capacity, but after DixieDawg post I started looking a bit more and realize that the Freedom Drive II package does have a lot more in the way of off roading capabilities. So, here's another question about something I can't quite get answered by dealers, does the Freedom Drive II package always come with the spot for the tow hitch or is that in addition to the FDII package? I'm just wondering because most of the dealers I've been talking to seem to take forever to find out if a patriot has it or not. I now know I can look for the extra cooler but will the absense of a hitch be a sure sign that it doesn't have the FDII package or not necssarily?
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
fatnfurious said:
Dear SIS, I installed a oil cooler, $110, hitch $125, and trailer wire harness, $100, total $335. I would say it took under 4 hours to do it all, and most shops charge up $100 hour, so that would be around $735. That being said you should be able to find some one to do it cheaper than that, I know would do for a little over $100. My advice is to hold out for a trial rated patriot with the tow package. If you willing to fly to Fargo ND, there is a nice used red FDII on our local Chrysler lot.
Click to expand...
Oh don't tempt me, I love road trips! Do you have info on the dealer?
 
#9 ·
The hitch is an option, as far as I know, on all Pats. My FD2 has no hitch, but all I need to tow with it is the hitch and wiring harness. You could get those at a UHaul, or better yet, you and a friend could install one. Several folks here like the Curt hitch, it's a little more heavy duty than others. I think there are several threads that talk about installing hitches, and several different makes and types have been talked about. Some even have detailed instructions on how they installed their hitch.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Awesome! Now I get to look all bad ass like I know what I'm doing by looking under the hood for the extra cooler! That will intimidate the salesman! Mwahahahaha. I guess the tow hooks and fog lamps would be an indication as well. It's amazing what dealers don't know about the vehicles they sell.

My luck is they would have talked me into making the modifications and it already has the FDII package on it! I wouldn't put it passed most salesmen.

Thanks again!

dixiedawg said:
The hitch is an option, as far as I know, on all Pats. My FD2 has no hitch, but all I need to tow with it is the hitch and wiring harness. You could get those at a UHaul, or better yet, you and a friend could install one. Several folks here like the Curt hitch, it's a little more heavy duty than others. I think there are several threads that talk about installing hitches, and several different makes and types have been talked about. Some even have detailed instructions on how they installed their hitch.
Click to expand...
 
#11 ·
There is no factory hitch. There is a Mopar accessory Class 2 that I do not recommend anyway. It requires cutting the rear bumper which aftermarket ones do not. Looking at any Patriot on a new dealer lot will not tell if it has the package. You can view window sticker for any vehicle to find out if it is in the option list probably faster than a salesperson will.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
APT said:
There is no factory hitch. There is a Mopar accessory Class 2 that I do not recommend anyway. It requires cutting the rear bumper which aftermarket ones do not. Looking at any Patriot on a new dealer lot will not tell if it has the package. You can view window sticker for any vehicle to find out if it is in the option list probably faster than a salesperson will.
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Can't you tell by the tow hooks? I thought the FDII package had the tow hooks on the front and only the FDII package did.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
heckler said:
only FDII has tow hooks from the factory. If the holes in the bumper are cut with an knife, then the previous owner installed the tow hooks (also possible)
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Cool, that's what I figured. I'll also wear some old clothes so I can crawl underneath and check for skid plates too, lol. Can you tell I don't trust dealers? I already had one tell me "Oh yeah, it's the Freedom Drive II package"...it had no tow hooks. :doh: He tried to tell me that not all of them did and he got mad when I whipped out something I printed off of here where someone had listed the features of the FDII package. He shrugged his shoulders and said " I don't know what to tell you".

Uhh bye bye now.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
fatnfurious said:
SIS, here's the link.
http://www.gtaccess.com/vehDetails.aspx?vehicleKey=228273601067&months=72&downPay=1,500&intRate=8.9000&DealerKey=229

This one has a hitch installed, can't say about the cooler, but if you are really interested I can swing by and check it out. I already looked at it once and it is in really nice shape. I have FDII envy.
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Thanks for the link. That's a nice one. I'm gonna keep it in mind. I have found one FDII here, out of about 20 used ones, in the area. Can't believe there are that few. It's a 2007 with around 46000 miles. A little concerned since it's the first year the model came out but I'd hope after 46000 miles all the kinks have been straightened out.
 
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seekinshadows
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