[MrJeepR44]

I don't see any literature on 2011 Patriot's website to indicate the 2011 FDII offers an additional inch of ground clearance, likewise on Allpar.com I noticed this quote:
"* 2011 Patriot should be one inch more, in 4x4 mode, even without Freedom Drive II."
http://www.allpar.com/model/jeep/patriot.html

Does this mean that bringing the FDI right height up one inch, it is now the same height as FDII? Or did FDII get a boost too?

There are very few 2011 4x4's on the lot here, and even fewer 2011 FDIIs... otherwise I would go look myself. I hope someone who is able can take a picture of a 2011 FDI and FDII side by side and post it here, and take some measurements from the ground as well. If you can throw a Compass FDII side by side shot, that would be great as well.

Has anyone measured it or taken pictures yet?

 

[Patriot Fan]

I was listening the radio, a interview with some Jeep staff people, and they said:

"the 2011 patriot in the FDII, has 1 inch more" so... maybe chrysler forgot print that info in the brochure LOL

But in real life, I don´t know if this is true or not.

 

[MrJeepR44]

I was listening the radio, a interview with some Jeep staff people, and they said:

"the 2011 patriot in the FDII, has 1 inch more" so... maybe chrysler forgot print that info in the brochure LOL

You heard them specifically state that about the 2011? I would love a brochure on the 2011, but last time I checked they are still not available. I would think a brochure would be more detailed than the current site

 

[RHill]

Looking at the www.Jeep.com website, it gives the same 8.2 inch of ground clearance for the 2011 FDI that it has always been for the FDI. I expect that some marketing person was either confused or didn't know what they were talking about when they said the 2011 FDII has one inch more clearance than "something".

In the past, 0.3 inch of the FDII additional clearance has been due to the included taller 215/65R17 tires on the FDII and 0.7 inch due to the taller FDII springs. One can get the 215/65R17 tire and alloy wheel package on the non FDII Patriots.

I'm getting 0.3 inch more ground clearance as I switch from the standared 205/70R16 tires to 215/70R16 Yokohama Geolander AT-S tires on my 2008 and I may decide to put in the FDII springs.

 

[Plumonium]

All 2011 4x4 get the same ground clearance.

 

[MrJeepR44]

All 2011 4x4 get the same ground clearance.

That's what it sounds like, but how do we know?

 

[hemiuberalles]

Looking at the www.Jeep.com website, it gives the same 8.2 inch of ground clearance fpr the 2011 FDI that it has always been for the FDI. I expect that some marketing person was either confused or didn't know what they were talking about when they said the 2011 FDII has one inch more clearance than "something".

That would be an egregious mistake for them... they could have to make it right, if indeed it isn't a inch higher than last year.

 

[dixiedawg]

I just followed a 2011, latitude, 4x4, FDI on rt 19 coming from Washington, and it did not seem as high as my 08 FDII. Was a nice black one though, with a lady driving.

 

[Plumonium]

That's what it sounds like, but how do we know?

I can't remember where. I'll try to find out.

 

[Pat'sPat]

OK, I'm still in my research phase and I came across this information. I checked out the inventory of a dealer that lists specific details on individual vehicles. One is a 2011 Lat (package 26B) [not Lat X] and it listed: Off Road Capabilities - Ground Clearance 9".

Then I looked at some standard Sports and Lat X models and they stated "Firm Feel" Steering and Touring Suspension.

So what does this mean? I am guessing is the that Lat "package 26B" is now getting the Off Road suspension and the others are getting the newer tuned suspension and handling that I read about for 2011. Hummmm, now that would be interesting. More decisions, NOT!

 

[Pat'sPat]

OK, saw the 9" clearance on a Sport with Package 26A. Not sure what's going on but I have some good questions for the next sales person I talk to.

 

[RHill]

OK, saw the 9" clearance on a Sport with Package 26A. Not sure what's going on but I have some good questions for the next sales person I talk to.

Unfortunately, the sales persons generally don't have definitive information. That's a nice way of saying they frequently don't have a clue. And "Well, Joe said..." is not definitive.

My 2008 and 2009 Patriot sales brochures show "Running Ground Clearance" as 9.0 inches for the FDII and 8.0 for the others. My 2010 sales brochure shows 9.0 for the FDII and 8.1 for the others.

Has anyone seen a 2011 sales brochure?

My 2008 service manual says to check "curb height" before checking/setting alignment. It gives "curb height" figures as 9.41 inches front and 14.29 inches rear for the FDII and 8.43 inches front and 13.31 inches rear for the other models. All of the figures have a tolerance of plus or minus 0.32 inches. The manual also states where and how to make the measurements to the center of specified bolts on the undercarriage.

Does anyone have access to the 2011 Service Manual?

That would be an egregious mistake for them... they could have to make it right, if indeed it isn't a inch higher than last year.

The 2010 sales brochure has the disclaimer "...Chrysler Group LLC reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice or obligation, in prices, specifications, equipment, colors and materials, and to change or discontinue models..." People have ordered cars which did not show up with some of the specified equipment, like split reclining rear seatbacks, and if they did not catch it before accepting the car at the dealership, they were out of luck.

So checking everything on a new car before accepting it is a very good idea.

 

[ColoradoMan]

The 2011 FD1 does have a higher ride height than last year. Does this mean that it can be fitted with bigger tires now? What kind of tires will work with the 2011 with no rub? For 17inch wheels?

(FROM JEEP WEBSITE)

2010 4x4 FD1
Overall Height - With Roof Rack
65.7"

Ground Clearance - at curb weight - Running Ground Clearance
8.1"

2011 4x4 FD1

Overall Height - With Roof Rack
66.8"

Ground Clearance - at curb weight - Running Ground Clearance
8.2"

 

[Bucky]

Hey guys,
This site is an incredible resource! I've been shopping for a 2011 Patriot and have had a lot of my questions answered by reading other shoppers' posts and the great responses they've gotten.

I just picked up the new 2011 sales brochure. According to the brochure, the ground clearance is phrased this way:

Ground Clearance: 7.2 (base) and 8.5 (trail rated)

However, in my experience at the dealership so far, there seems to be a WIDE variety of options and equipment on various models. I vaguely recall seeing a 4x4 FDI at the dealer that had the extra lift equal to the FDII. I'm getting the impression that I just need to tell the dealer what I want and they can make it happen. For example, they told me that the skid plates and tow hooks could be added to the 4x4 FDI, although you'll not find that as an "option" in any literature.

I can also agree with other comments about people knowing more than the salespeople just by doing some research on Jeep's website.

Anyway, I just wanted to share what the new brochure says, since I've already learned so much from you guys. Thanks!

 

[WV_Patriot]

Read this.

I emailed Jeep a couple of weeks ago asking about ground clearance in the 2011s. Here is what they sent me:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Bryan:

It is great to read of your interest in the 2011 Jeep Patriot!

Below, I have provided with the exterior dimensions that were provided to us in respect to the 2011 Jeep Patriot models:

Wheelbase - 103.7 in
Track - Front - 59.8 in
Track - Rear - 59.8 in
Overall Length - 173.8 in
Overall Width - 69.2 in
Overall Height - 65.5 in FWD, 66.8 in 4x4 Overhang - Front - 34.7 in Overhang - Rear - 35.1 in Approach Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire - 26.40 Breakover Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire - 18.70 Departure Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire - 31.20 Ground Clearance with P215/60/R17 Tire - 8.2 in Approach Angle with Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package including
P215/65/R17 Tire - 29.20
Breakover Angle with Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package including
P215/65/R17 Tire - 21.80
Departure Angle with Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package including
P215/65/R17 Tire - 34.30
Ground Clearance with Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package including
P215/65/R17 Tire - 9.5 in
Aero - 10.4 CdA, FWD, 11.0 CdA, 4x4

In comparison to the 2010 Jeep Patriot, the ground clearance of the 2011 Jeep Patriot models equipped with the P215/60/R17 tires increased by 0.1 inches and the ground clearance of the 2011 Jeep Patriot models equipped with the Freedom-Drive II and P215/65/R17 tires increased by 0.5 inches.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[RHill]

For what it is worth, there is a difference between Factory installed options and dealer installed options. Any owner, or their dealer or shade tree mechanic buddy can order through the parts department and install the tow hooks and skid plates. Different coil springs and shocks/struts, same thing, although it is a bigger job and takes more tools.

On the ride heights/Ground Clearance/Running Ground Clearance subject, I am really wondering what is the true story.

I finally got a copy of the 2011 sales brochure. It says "Ground Clearance" is 7.2 inches base with the 215/60R17 (27.0) inch tall tires and 8.5 inches for the Trail Rated with the FDII suspension and 215/65R17 tires. In the 2008-2010 brochures the "Running Ground Clearance" figures have been 8.0-8.1 inches for the standard and 9.0 inches for the FDII.

Both the Base and Trail Rated 2011 Sales Brochure "Ground Clearance" figures are lower than the 2008-2010 Sales Brochure "Running Ground Clearance" figures.

So,

1. Are the Sales Brochure figures wrong?

2. Is Jeep measuring "Ground Clearance" differently this year than they measured "Running Ground Clearance" the last three years?

3. Has Jeep modified the suspension in some manner which has reduced the ground clearance in both the base and "Trail Rated" models?

In the past, Jeep has spent time tucking things up so as to have good ground clearance. Maybe they decided to trade some ground clearance for some "improved" suspension characteristics.

I'd really like to find out the true story. I was planning to put the 2008 FDII springs under my FDI in order to get about a 3/4 inch lift. With the hoopla about the 2011 FDII having "more" ground clearance, I was wondering if the 2011 FDII springs might give a bit more lift. Now I'm wondering if we can believe any figures we get from Jeep.