Ok. I posted the required info for the build thread.

Bleep got his name because of the profanity I used because of mixture of standard and metric bolts he has. I've never worked on a Jeep and turning wrenches on him was an unpleasant surprise. I didn't want Bleep and I wasn't looking for him.

A few steps back. I lived in the "city" and drove a Nissan Frontier with a lift, MTs, winch bumper, etc. It got 12mpg which was ok until I got divorced and moved to the country because of housing costs.

It was about a 60 mile round trip to work so I bought a Ford Focus that got 35 mpg. I wasn't driving my truck, fell on hard times and sold it. Hard times passed and now I could afford and wanted 4wd. Long story short, I bought a 2016 Patriot. I like it enough. It'll do.

So I always browse Craigslist for deals. I put in a year range and price range. Bleep popped up. 2014 FD2 with 77k for $2k. I bought it thinking my ex mother-in-law would love it and want it. She currently drives a 2005 Mazda Tribute with 180k. It's leaking from everywhere it can. I do all the work for her and bandaid it back together to keep it on the road. Bleep doesn't leak. Bleep was advertised with a transmission issue. He had a transmission temperature light. After changing the oil, filter, spark plugs, air filter, I tackled the transmission. First thing, I replaced the cooler filter. It was a mess with metal in it. Later, I drained the fluid and pulled the filter. It has been done very recently.

My conclusion, Bleep was neglected. The cooler filter was likely clogged and not feeding enough fluid to the transmission.

 

Bleep starts a little rough. He did sit for a while and I thought it was just old gas but I ran it through and he's still struggling. Fuel, spark, air, right? I addressed spark and air but not fuel. I talked to a buddy and he said it's usually a position sensor. There's no cel. So I ordered a crankshaft and camshaft position sensor. It's cheap enough and not gonna hurt anything.

 

Anger ensues...

So while I was working on Bleep, I noticed a couple of things. Bleep's got a bad front passenger side CV shaft and the rear struts/shocks are blown. I ordered all of them from Rock Auto. The CV shaft came and looked way to big. I posted something to that effect on here. I wasn't going to work on it tonight but I got bored and tore into it.

So the CV shaft I need to replace is at least half the size of what was sent to me. Again, deep breath, don't hurt anyone. But WTF! This thing is really big and I don't want to mess with sending it back!!!!

Ignore my cragily, broken multiple times toes. I know, I have nasty feet.

 

I like to cook. I always try to invent new recipes and come up with new ideas. I've realized that there are no more new ideas. Everything has been thought of and has been done. That being said, I bought some stuff today to do something I think is original. I'll share it when it's delivered and I do it. I don't know where the idea came from. Maybe I saw it. But I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this but I'm going to pretend that I am and post it.

 

I totally screwed up the point of this post. The point I was trying to make was I thought I had an original idea for my Patriot but I probably don't.

 

I like this. It's my thread and I can post all the nonsense I want! So I just bought this...

 

Just a heads up, their bumper is designed for the Warn winch they sell so if you get anything else the clutch lever may not line up with their cutout for it. I had to modify mine for the Smittybilt I put in it.

 

Welcome to the site! I think once you get Bleep up to snuff you'll have a fun and reliable vehicle. Indeed, due to an inadequate maintenance schedule in the owners manual, CVTs are frequently neglected and die too young. You may have given yours a second life by getting to it when you did. That said, do you have the CVT or the 6-speed automatic? Either way, transmission service is too often neglected, so you were wise to make it a priority.

Bleep does look kinda cute. Give him some gold lettering and maybe some gold striping. You'll have a real looker!

 

It's got the CVT. I drove it home with the cruise control set at 75 and it made it around 120 miles before the warning light came on and went into limp mode. Just before it came on a high pitched whine started which made me think it was either low on fluid or not getting enough to the right places. Since fixing, I've only driven it 15 miles or so but so far so good.

 

It's got the CVT. I drove it home with the cruise control set at 75 and it made it around 120 miles before the warning light came on and went into limp mode. Just before it came on a high pitched whine started which made me think it was either low on fluid or not getting enough to the right places. Since fixing, I've only driven it 15 miles or so but so far so good.

Yup, that high-pitched whine/scream is the classic symptom of over-heated fluid that can't do its job anymore. It was crying for new juice.

I like to cook. I always try to invent new recipes and come up with new ideas. I've realized that there are no more new ideas. Everything has been thought of and has been done. That being said, I bought some stuff today to do something I think is original. I'll share it when it's delivered and I do it. I don't know where the idea came from. Maybe I saw it. But I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this but I'm going to pretend that I am and post it.

My Wife has her CCC. I don't touch the stove much, except to heat water for coffee. That "everything that can be invented has been invented" was only a joke in an 1899 edition of Punch magazine. I think creative ideas in food might be stimulated by interaction with other traditions. Not by importing them as is, but by adapting them. Peanut gravy might be an example for us in Western culture.

 

Turned some wrenches on Bleep this morning. I decided to double check the CV shaft I received. I'm an idiot. It's the correct one. I've done several of these on different vehicles and I've never seen one with such a long output shaft. So I replaced it and lost about $10 worth of brand new transmission fluid onto my garage floor. Oops! In hindsight I should have done the CV shaft as I was doing the transmission fluid. Oh well! I took him to get inspected and got him registered. Put 70 miles on him and he did just fine! I also replaced the intake camshaft position sensor. I didn't realize there was another one on the exhaust side but replacing the one didn't do anything for the rough start.

 

My Rough Country lift came about a week ago. I decided to tackle the front today. I bought front and rear struts with the kit. It really wasn't that bad but the instructions suck. They use the same instructions whether you buy the struts or not so it's a bit confusing. I only got the passenger side done because I gotta pick up my daughter soon. The one side took about an hour. It shouldn't have taken that long but the camber bolt didn't want to cooperate and the sway bar nut was being a little B also. Hindsight I wouldn't change anything which is unusual for me. I'll probably tackle the other side later tonight. I took before measurement pictures for comparison.

This video was helpful but they fly through it super fast. Hopefully it'll be as helpful for the rear because it's got several more parts.

 

I finished up the passenger side and got the tire on. Just for the heck of it I checked it out with a tape measure and it was up over 3". That's unreliable though since it's only one corner.

Then I tackled the driver's side and we had a casualty. I beat on the sway bar link a little too hard with a BFH and I can't get the nut back on. It's always that last dang bolt or nut that won't cooperate! That was the only thing stopping me from finishing the front end. Rockauto, here I come to order a new link.

I'm of the opinion, if you're gonna take these cheap parts off that have ball joints, you may as well replace them because you will eventually. Maybe that's my hindsight moment on the front end. So now I gotta wait a few days but I guess it doesn't matter since I can't drive it with only the front lifted and no alignment.

I will say this though. I like the gap between the fender and the tire. I'm not gonna go too crazy with tire size. I think I'll do whatever I gotta do to get some ATs or MTs. I thought at first I might buy some wheels with an offset so they'd be out about an 1". I like the look of that in the pictures I've seen but seeing just the one corner, I might change my mind. We'll see.

 

Bleep is living up to his name today. I had to cut that dang sway bar link off. It just didn't want to play ball. So the front end lift will be done once the new sway bar link gets here today.

I also installed the lift on the passenger rear so I have 3 corners done. It was not easy and took a little creativity. I couldn't follow the order of the instructions because things just weren't lining up correctly and was fighting me every step of the way. I left the rear sway bar disconnected and I'm going to remove it once I get it disconnected on the driver's side. The little spacers are stuck on the bolt and I can't get any of it out. It'll be easier to do on a bench.

I learned something new. The speakers on the rear gate drop down when it's open. That's pretty cool. There appears to be a small amp for them that was in the way of getting to the top strut mounts. I also found an unopened bag for a tow wiring harness as well as $3 real and $2 in Monopoly money! 😄

I think I'm done for the day. I gotta take my daughter to karate and we're going to the county fair tonight.

More to come!

 

So the front end lift will be done once the new sway bar link gets here today.

This...this is what you need..

https://www.jeeppatriot.com/threads/jks-quicker-disconnects-installed.140138/?post_id=578522#post-578522

 

Bleep's on the ground! Still got some things to wrap up but he's looking good! He's not going to be driveable until Monday after the alignment but I can't wait to get him out. I may take a ride around town, which is literally a mile or two, and see if there's any rattles or clunks but we'll see. Got some before and after pictures I want to combine which I'll post later. After all the blood (see below), sweat and beers it was worth it! The pictures don't really do him justice. I need to get a picture of him next to the '16.

 

Bleep's on the ground! Still got some things to wrap up but he's looking good! He's not going to be driveable until Monday after the alignment but I can't wait to get him out. I may take a ride around town, which is literally a mile or two, and see if there's any rattles or clunks but we'll see. Got some before and after pictures I want to combine which I'll post later. After all the blood (see below), sweat and beers it was worth it! The pictures don't really do him justice. I need to get a picture of him next to the '16.
View attachment 100646
View attachment 100647

I was sitting down in my garage drinking a beer and admiring my handy work when something caught my eye...

... that KU plate would look awesome on the front of Bleep! I bought Bleep in Nebraska and they have front plates... Kansas doesn't. So I was putting on the KU plate when I realized, oh yeah, I bought a winch mount. Duh. So I took it off but Rock Chalk anyway! 😂

So in thinking things over, Bleep needs wider tires. Maybe some wheels with a little off set but definitely wider. I don't want to go up in diameter. I like the gap between the fender and tire and I want to keep it. To me, it says to other Patriot owners, yeah, I have a lift and you don't! 😋 So I'm thinking about 15 or 16" wheels with some MTs. I'll probably get whatever I decide on Tuesday or Wednesday. I just want to get him ready for the easy trails because my daughter is excited to go.

The '16 is over there feeling all sad and neglected. Don't worry little guy, you're moment is coming. He's got a pending transmission service. As much as I'm digging Bleep's lift, I'm gonna fight the urge to mess with the '16. He's my DD...or that's the plan for now. Regardless, a lift won't do him as much good as Bleep considering he's not a FD2. Stock Bleep was already taller.

 

Ow...

 

Dang jackstand got in the way of my head! I was laying down on my back and just kept going so most of the blood is in my hair. A little bit harder and that would need some stitches. Probably a good thing that my hat padded the blow. Oh well, it happens! 🤷

 

One of many benefits of living in the country...

 

Looking good!

 

So the bolts on the lower control arm from Rough Country are VERY surprisingly a tool I don't have. I've got every auto tool known to man...I thought. So to tighten the bolts, I had a 7/8" socket but nothing to hold the nut. I asked my neighbor and he had it. Why? Because we're small town Kansas and that's how we roll.

So I snugged down the rear, took a stroll around town and there's a rattle/clunks on the front driver's side. Not bad! I expected it everywhere. Otherwise it handled very well. Others complained about the rough feel but I didn't notice it. Maybe because it's trail rated and has stiffer suspension... maybe because I drove a lifted truck for so many years. It's possible I was listening harder than I was feeling. Regardless, it's good

 

I thought a side-by-side comparison with Bleep next to the '16 was gonna be so awesome I couldn't wait to do it. For transparency, as soon as all 4 hit the ground for Bleep, I bought a celebratory 18-pack. Don't ask how many are left. Point being, maybe there's a big difference, but right NOW, I'm just not seeing it.

 

So I addressed the suspension noise. First of all, I had mentioned issues with the rear sway bar and not being able to disassemble it. That didn't change and it didn't want to come out either. Time to cut it off!! I may regret this but right now I don't.

I suspected the clunk on the front end was the infamous driver's side sway bar link. I tightened it a little more, went for a test drive and it was perfect. Yay me! Past experience, chasing down suspension sounds can be very difficult and frustrating. Roads around here are gravel so if the suspension is quiet you know all's good. So I dropped him off at the shop a couple of blocks down and walked home. Tuesday, wheels and tires...

Oh yeah, and I shed more blood😂😂🙄

 

Time to cut it off!! I may regret this but right now I don't.

I'd be curious to know if you can tell a difference in ride and cornering with it being gone.
My guess is probably not.
That bar is so thin I bent mine shoving up on it with one hand while trying to get it dis-assembled.

 

Going to pick up Bleep on Wednesday which I guess is now today. I dropped him off on Monday for the alignment and of course they found another reason to get more money out of me...tie rod ends🙄. Maybe it's legit. At first I told them no because I was going to do it but then I told them to go ahead. Because we're out in the boonies, parts only get delivered once per day. After I pick him up, I'm going to order tires. I decided on 225/65/17 BFG T/A KO2 on stock wheels for now. I've never run those but read reviews and they sound good. I always ran Firestone Destination MTs on my Frontier and loved them. They were awesome in snow. Off road they were pretty good but they dug quite a bit. I wanted to get some wheels but I'm going to wait because my daughter is excited to go to Kansas Rocks.

 

Picked up Bleep and drove him around town down brick streets and gravel. Those struts are definitely very stiff and a bit rough right now. I'd like them to mellow out a little and from what I've read, they will. I'm going to put around 45 highway miles on him later today so I'll get a better feel for driving without the rear sway bar. Again it's hard to tell vs the '16 because they both handle completely different. Even the steering is much different.

 

No complaints on the handling. If there's a difference without the sway bar is difficult to tell with the new suspension. Had to call an audible in the tires. Apparently 225/65/17 is an odd, hard to find size. Booked an appointment for Friday morning for Toyo Open County AT3 235/65/17. Hopefully I'll like them.

"Fun" little story...

Took my daughter to karate and there was a person exiting the entrance in the middle taking up both lanes. Gave Bleep his first test and jumped the curb on the passenger side. Handled it like a champ. It cracked my daughter up. I told her just wait until Kansas Rocks! After karate, our routine is to run by Smoothie King. She got her usual watermelon lemonade smoothie. On the way home she wanted to jump more curbs. For some reason, Kansas has grown a big hard one for roundabouts and puts them everywhere. They have low curbs so I cut the turn short and jumped the curb... goodbye smoothie, commence with the waterworks. $14 and 2 smoothies later, Bleep smells quite fruity. Thankfully the new floor liners caught most of it.

 

Oh yeah, this came the other day. Since it was an impulse buy, I was hoping it either wouldn't come or if it did it would be damaged. Guess I'm stuck with it. It is pretty cool though. Not sure it fits the style of a Patriot but I'll make it work. The current hood is heavily hail damaged. I think I'm gonna get a quote for getting it painted before I decide what route to take.

 

Oh yeah, this came the other day. Since it was an impulse buy, I was hoping it either wouldn't come or if it did it would be damaged. Guess I'm stuck with it. It is pretty cool though. Not sure it fits the style of a Patriot but I'll make it work. The current hood is heavily hail damaged. I think I'm gonna get a quote for getting it painted before I decide what route to take.

View attachment 100661

That's kinda like putting glasspacks on my 90hp Ford Falcon.

 

est!

 

Just to make sure Bleep will get us there and back... Really, it's not a big deal if things break and we can't get back. Financially it's not a big deal and we can tow him back. But I really want my daughter's first off road experience to be a ton of fun.

 

Why do you own a 90hp Ford Falcon?

I feel like I missed an opportunity here. What I meant to say is I'm only 25 and I don't know what a Falcon is or glass packs.😋

I guess I've dated myself! A Ford Falcon was a compact car introduced by Ford in 1960. This photo looks quite similar to the one I had in high school:

The 144CID 6-cylinder engine was the same displacement as the Patriot 2.4L, but the Falcon engine only put out 90hp (half as much power as the Patriot mill). By the time I owned mine, we were coming into the muscle-car era, so my car was quite under-powered by the standards of the day. It was last away from stop lights and couldn't manage much more than 30mph climbing even modest hills.

Glasspacks were aftermarket mufflers, a variation on a straight pipe, that modified the sound to create a bit of resonance, making the engine sound beefier than it was. The Falcon engine was anything but beefy, hence my attempt at humor. I believe Glasspacks are still being made. https://www.cjponyparts.com/resourc...mufflers-guide?srsltid=AfmBOopiQxJR2gwXr50NG75Oz8g5Qqetera1eKwuZfM0WLvVTY-Hy3NR

The Falcon platform existed through many iterations, notably the Ford Mustang, Mercury Monarch, and even the Lincoln Versailles! I'd love to get into someone's Lincoln and say, "This reminds me of my old Falcon."

 

I guess I've dated myself! A Ford Falcon was a compact car introduced by Ford in 1960. This photo looks quite similar to the one I had in high school:
View attachment 100664
The 144CID 6-cylinder engine was the same displacement as the Patriot 2.4L, but the Falcon engine only put out 90hp (half as much power as the Patriot mill). By the time I owned mine, we were coming into the muscle-car era, so my car was quite under-powered by the standards of the day. It was last away from stop lights and couldn't manage much more than 30mph climbing even modest hills.

Glasspacks were aftermarket mufflers, a variation on a straight pipe, that modified the sound to create a bit of resonance, making the engine sound beefier than it was. The Falcon engine was anything but beefy, hence my attempt at humor. I believe Glasspacks are still being made. https://www.cjponyparts.com/resourc...mufflers-guide?srsltid=AfmBOopiQxJR2gwXr50NG75Oz8g5Qqetera1eKwuZfM0WLvVTY-Hy3NR

The Falcon platform existed through many iterations, notably the Ford Mustang, Mercury Monarch, and even the Lincoln Versailles! I'd love to get into someone's Lincoln and say, "This reminds me of my old Falcon."

I was totally messing with you. I'm 47. I've been around long enough for glass packs and Falcons. My sense of humor doesn't translate to text very well. 😄. The falcon is very cool!

In high school, I had an '88 Camaro. I still have dreams about that car. I could totally see myself having a midlife crisis and getting one but I'm more of a 4x4 guy than a horsepower guy now.