This is purely hypothetical but i just wanted to see if it could be done and what would be needed to do it. For arguments sake lets just say I cant go out and but an FD2 because...Idk... they all blew up. So the first obvious thing needed would be a new transmission correct? Followed by skid plates and tow hooks and other things that i am missing. So how hard would this be and how much change would have to be put into it?
Converting FD1 to a FD2
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- conversion fd ii fdi
Jmikeb92
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This is purely hypothetical but i just wanted to see if it could be done and what would be needed to do it. For arguments sake lets just say I cant go out and but an FD2 because...Idk... they all blew up. So the first obvious thing needed would be a new transmission correct? Followed by skid plates and tow hooks and other things that i am missing. So how hard would this be and how much change would have to be put into it?
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you can add hooks and skid plate (do a search in the knowledge base/exterior) but you're right, the guts of the FDII is the transmission - you're likely better off to trade yours in for one of those blown up FDII's because you'll also need the electronics to control it.
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This would be interesting, tell me if you find any somewhat easy way to do it.
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Step 1: Open hood.
Step 2: Remove radiator cap.
Step 3: Drive FD1 Patriot out from under radiator cap.
Step 4: Drive FD2 Patriot under existing radiator cap and secure to radiator.
Step 5: Close hood on new car.
There you go! We've converted an FD1 into an FD2 in 5 simple steps. Your dealership shpuld be able to help with acquiring the FD2 Patriot.
Step 2: Remove radiator cap.
Step 3: Drive FD1 Patriot out from under radiator cap.
Step 4: Drive FD2 Patriot under existing radiator cap and secure to radiator.
Step 5: Close hood on new car.
There you go! We've converted an FD1 into an FD2 in 5 simple steps. Your dealership shpuld be able to help with acquiring the FD2 Patriot.
You also need the FDII rear differential or rear drive unit. The FDII has 8.12:1 ring & pinion (R&P) gears and the FDI has 6.12:1 R&P gears. To get the brake lock differentials, you'll need the ABS unit off a FDII and as stated, the computers to run it all.
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Don't forget the accelerometer for the HDC. And the oil cooler. And the hood and door seals. And the longer vent hoses. And a partridge in a pear tree....
True...but only if doing the conversion on the 1st day of Christmas!
It's a fair question for people to ask and it would not be mechanically impossible to do. However, It is very cost prohibitive. If you found the right donor vehicle though, it could be done. Like a T-boned FDII for $1000 with low mileage. I'd probably go for it myself.
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Honestly, I think your best bet would be to add the tow hooks, skid plates, and either the Stu coils or RRO lift and settle for an FD1.5
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The computers are probably already there. However, which features can be enabled is tied into the vehicle VIN number, so simply swapping out the parts will not be enough - you'd need to hack the computer too.
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This.Honestly, I think your best bet would be to add the tow hooks, skid plates, and either the Stu coils or RRO lift and settle for an FD1.5
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I'd want to keep my manual gearbox and the fuel frugal gear ratios in the differentials.
Doesn't the export version have a 6 speed? Couldn't that be engineered to have rock crawling super granny gear on one end and overdrive on the other?
This is where the term "real Jeep" comes home to roost. On "real Jeeps" you can rebuild and switch all this stuff around yourself, fairly easily. Change gear ratios, suspension heights, transmissions, transfer cases and so on to get the vehicle that meets your use.
I do lust after that taller ground clearance of the FD2 though.
Doesn't the export version have a 6 speed? Couldn't that be engineered to have rock crawling super granny gear on one end and overdrive on the other?
This is where the term "real Jeep" comes home to roost. On "real Jeeps" you can rebuild and switch all this stuff around yourself, fairly easily. Change gear ratios, suspension heights, transmissions, transfer cases and so on to get the vehicle that meets your use.
I do lust after that taller ground clearance of the FD2 though.
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and we lust after the ground clearance of the Liberty, who lusts after the ground clearance of the Wrangler, who lusts after the ground clearance of the latest offroad magazine rig................
LOL... i want the RR lift so bad.... and some BFGs .. and some rock sliders... and a bull bar... and a roof rack... and some aux lights... and a MyGig unit.... :icon_rolleyes:
My 5MT FDI has the stock 16 inch wheel and tires. I am switching to 215/70R16 Yokohama Geolander AT-S tires, same width and height as the FDII tires. They are .7 inch taller than the stock tires, so give me .35 inch lift. I am researching the pre-2011 and 2011 FDII springs, front struts, and rear shocks. I expect them to give me at least another .7 inch of ground clearance over the tires, if not an inch more ground clearance.
Since I don't have the extra weight of the skid plates and tow hooks, I may have slightly more ground clearance than an FDII. If I wanted more of the FDII stuff, I could add the skid plates and front tow hooks. My Mopar rear tow bar assembly gives me the equivalent of a rear tow hook.
Going beyond that into the FDII transmission stuff will get into powertrain computer control issues which go way beyond the difficulty and cost of the bolt on stuff listed above. Plus, I like the fuel economy and 5MT. Although, if I were to do it again, I might go for the FDI CVT, since it gives a selection of more transmission "gears" (really identifiable, controllable sprocket "ratios").
Since I don't have the extra weight of the skid plates and tow hooks, I may have slightly more ground clearance than an FDII. If I wanted more of the FDII stuff, I could add the skid plates and front tow hooks. My Mopar rear tow bar assembly gives me the equivalent of a rear tow hook.
Going beyond that into the FDII transmission stuff will get into powertrain computer control issues which go way beyond the difficulty and cost of the bolt on stuff listed above. Plus, I like the fuel economy and 5MT. Although, if I were to do it again, I might go for the FDI CVT, since it gives a selection of more transmission "gears" (really identifiable, controllable sprocket "ratios").
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Hahaha! I laughed about this! Weatherman.. I have a 4x2 what should I do to make it a FD2?Step 1: Open hood.
Step 2: Remove radiator cap.
Step 3: Drive FD1 Patriot out from under radiator cap.
Step 4: Drive FD2 Patriot under existing radiator cap and secure to radiator.
Step 5: Close hood on new car.
There you go! We've converted an FD1 into an FD2 in 5 simple steps. Your dealership shpuld be able to help with acquiring the FD2 Patriot.
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What's amazing is that, with the same steps above, one can achieve the same results with a 4x2!
Actually, those steps are the best ones AND they work on just about anything! Want to convert your Honda Civic into a FDII...follow those steps, Chevy Cobalt or Cavalier, Follow the steps! There's just one minor change, and it's not a step, just a note for Step 4.
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yeah.. part of me wishes i would have seen the threads talking about lower MPGs for the FDII before I bought mine. There was another Pat, manual, 4x2 at the same place I bought mine. I'd be rockin closer to 30mpg if I would have gotten that one... and probably enjoyed the manual trans.
but... I've got power everything, sunroof, 4x4, low gear, extra inch of clearance, 17" wheels, etc... oh... and that sweet Trail Rated badge!
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