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Tacoma owner, interested in new Patriot

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especkrx

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hello Patriot owners!

My name is Erik and I currently own a 2010 Tacoma 4x4 with the 2.7L motor regreared with 4.88's on 33"x12" BFG KM2 tires. Offroad bumpers, winch, and full aftermarket front coilovers and rear leafs are some of the other goodies on got on this bad boy.

Anyways, I've been thinking a lot about buying a Patriot this summer. My first vehicle was a lifted Wrangler 4x4 which was a lot of fun. After that I had a V8 Grand Cherokee 4x4. My family also had a 4.0 Cherokee 4x4 while I was growing up. I've enjoyed all of these Jeeps and they were good vehicles. I bought the Tacoma because I need a truck bed to help haul all of my outdoor/recreation gear.

What is the most off-road capable Patriot (model, options, etc.)? I will most likely leave it stock besides adding more aggressive tires and aftermarket wheels. I don't plan on modding it like I did my Tacoma, but a mild lift with larger tires/wheels and aftermarket off-road bumpers may get thrown on there eventually if quality aftermarket products are available which wont weigh down or compromise the performance of this little jeep.

Thanks guys!

Here are some pics of my Tacoma for your entertainment :D
 

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#2 ·
The FDI is the standard 4x4 that is available for the Patriot, and the FDII Patriot is trail-rated off road model. The FDI is very capable with better MPGs, and the FDII is more capable with less highway MPG, but comes with a lot of standard features that make it a bargain. FDII comes with lowered geared differentials, skid plates, tow hooks, heated seats, auxiliary oil cooler, 2,000 lbs tow rating, and 140 amp alternator. The FDII does have a low gear mode, but no transfer case. It is the same transmission as the FDI, but using the lower geared differentials, they basically just set the FDII "first gear" ratio higher (the equivalent of starting in 2nd gear. Low on a FDII is more like a Granny-low first gear on a truck.
 
Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
Thanks.

I love the looks of the Patriot and it's small size to make it very capable and functional and practicale. I only wish there was a higher ground clearannce - I mean seriously, these things are setting as low as a sports car it seems.

Anyone know or have any thoughts on why the Patriot sits so low? I don't see any real off-road benefit of having it at this height. Even if it sat 2-3" higher, a larger tire could be put on which would make for an additional total 3" clearance. Maybe they are trying to keep it low with smaller tires to improve fuel economy.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Oh yeah, the FDII has always had an extra inch of clearance, and it looks pretty decent. Starting in 2011, all 4x4's came as high as the FDII. I am sitting just below 10 inches ground clearance right now with my new tires, and I have a set of 1+ inch spring to install still. There are 3 lifts available, and bigger tires also help. Check out this video to learn more about the Patriot's 4x4 system:
http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/#FreedomDrive2,
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
And what type of off-road traction control is available on these? - Sorry I'm still not used to the Jeep Patriot "lingo" of the different systems. Do they come with locking differentials or something comparable?

edit: watched the video and saw the features which sounds like the automatically controlled mechanisms basically allow the differentials to act "locked" in severe situations. Does this sound right? Is it as capable or aggressive as having actual lockers? And last question for now, does this traction control system become hyper-sensitive when larger tires are put on which may render it less capable in certain situations?

Thanks guys. I know these questions may seem technical and difficult, but they are important for me.

edit: and actually it looks like the "T-handle" being pulled up activates fully locked front and rear differentials. Is this correct, that the Patriot has front and rear lockers?
 
#8 · (Edited)
Hey thanks, I am pretty happy with it :)

To answer some of your questions: The FDII uses a Brake Lock Differential (BLD). It does not have lockers, or even a limited slip... instead it has open differentials and traction control. The traction control works well, but in the FDII Off-Road mode, the traction control get crazy aggressive and tries to simulate lockers. Essentially, when a wheel slips, instead of just braking the opposing wheel sporadically with traction control, it will actually brake the slipping wheel until the opposing wheel is spinning at the same speed. This enables the Patriot to keep moving even with wheels in the air, going up hill. Check out the video and picture below-

As far as bigger tires... there isn't a lot of room on the Patriot to go much higher without serious rubbing. We are talking less than 29.5", unless you get big wheel spacers. That being said, it has a CVT transmission with a torque limit, and bigger tires potentially have a negative effect on the Jeep's ability to go up steeper inclines... it's already doing it without a transfer case. The T-Handle is the 4x4 lock. Essentially it is running in FWD, then it switches automatically to 4x4 as needed. The 4x4 lock is basically a request to stay out of FWD and in 4x4, with a 50/50 split front to rear.

Great example of what the BLD does:

http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/reviews/patriot/index.htm
 
#9 ·
By the way, great looking Tacoma! I'd love to have a truck like that. What kind of mileage did you get with those 33" tires?
 
#10 ·
Patriot would not be my first choice if I was going for an off-road vehicle. It does ok, FDII actually surprised me a couple times. The advantage for the Patriot is mileage, and on road winter driving, IMHO, more than anything else. You can lift it another inch or so, and can add bigger tires, but not a lot bigger.

For me I needed a daily driver, with decent mileage, and off road capable enough to make my driveway in all seasons. I also needed the cargo space for my dog and stuff.

There's not a lot of aftermarket stuff around. I've looked into the lift, and if I did it I think I'd go the spring route, but I worry about the front end parts. There are steel bumpers too, and I love the look, especially of the "Wincher" bumper, but I worry they will reduce my MPG. I've seen rock sliders, and consider those.

I like the Patriot and it has worked well for me, for all the things I need it to do, and am going to trade my 08 for a 12 soon as I'm near 100K in miles and hate to lose too much trade in.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
mrJeepr44 said:
Hey thanks, I am pretty happy with it :)

To answer some of your questions: The FDII uses a Brake Lock Differential (BLD). It does not have lockers, or even a limited slip... instead it has open differentials and traction control. The traction control works well, but in the FDII Off-Road mode, the traction control get crazy aggressive and tries to simulate lockers. Essentially, when a wheel slips, instead of just braking the opposing wheel sporadically with traction control, it will actually brake the slipping wheel until the opposing wheel is spinning at the same speed. This enables the Patriot to keep moving even with wheels in the air, going up hill. Check out the video and picture below-

As far as bigger tires... there isn't a lot of room on the Patriot to go much higher without serious rubbing. We are talking less than 29.5", unless you get big wheel spacers. That being said, it has a CVT transmission with a torque limit, and bigger tires potentially have a negative effect on the Jeep's ability to go up steeper inclines... it's already doing it without a transfer case. The T-Handle is the 4x4 lock. Essentially it is running in FWD, then it switches automatically to 4x4 as needed. The 4x4 lock is basically a request to stay out of FWD and in 4x4, with a 50/50 split front to rear.

Great example of what the BLD does:

quote]

So the BLD seems to work pretty well for traction control - not as good as an actually locker but I'm sure it helps greatly. And the T-handle keeps it in all-time 4wd - that makes since. Thanks for the clarification.

The newer Tacomas have something similar called A-TRAC which works very similar to BLD and has been said to "render the rear-locker useless". So I'm sure the BLD would fall under this same category.

mrJeepr44 said:
By the way, great looking Tacoma! I'd love to have a truck like that. What kind of mileage did you get with those 33" tires?
Click to expand...
Pretty good actually. I regeared to 4.88 gears so that really helps get the MPGs back. I get 20 MPGs on a good tank with mostly highway driving around a constant 70mph. Mixed driving gives me about 17 MPG.

This is a great truck, but I'm looking at getting the Patriot because I don't care to go 4-wheeling as much anymore and I'm getting tired of constantly bashing and beating up the truck. I wouldn't really plan on taking the Patriot on extreme trails like I do with my Tacoma, but I would like the Patriot to be able to go offroad to get me places I need to get to.

dixiedawg said:
Patriot would not be my first choice if I was going for an off-road vehicle. It does ok, FDII actually surprised me a couple times. The advantage for the Patriot is mileage, and on road winter driving, IMHO, more than anything else. You can lift it another inch or so, and can add bigger tires, but not a lot bigger.

For me I needed a daily driver, with decent mileage, and off road capable enough to make my driveway in all seasons. I also needed the cargo space for my dog and stuff.

There's not a lot of aftermarket stuff around. I've looked into the lift, and if I did it I think I'd go the spring route, but I worry about the front end parts. There are steel bumpers too, and I love the look, especially of the "Wincher" bumper, but I worry they will reduce my MPG. I've seen rock sliders, and consider those.

I like the Patriot and it has worked well for me, for all the things I need it to do, and am going to trade my 08 for a 12 soon as I'm near 100K in miles and hate to lose too much trade in.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. This is basically what I would want the Patriot for. In all reality, I probably wouldn't add any modifications to it besides more aggressive tires and aftermarket wheels.
Click to expand...
 
#12 ·
If you'll plan on new wheels and tires anyway, get the 16" wheels on it. There are more options for tires in that size and you can get the same overall size as the 17's.

Patriot with it's all wheel drive mode, really does well on road in winter. As road conditions change, often around the bend, it just does what it needs to do.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
dixiedawg said:
If you'll plan on new wheels and tires anyway, get the 16" wheels on it. There are more options for tires in that size and you can get the same overall size as the 17's.

Patriot with it's all wheel drive mode, really does well on road in winter. As road conditions change, often around the bend, it just does what it needs to do.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice! I've always liked more rubber.
 
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especkrx
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