Weight reduced MK would be awesome, i'm glad we think alike. I can't wait to see this build. A light weight MK might solve some power problems and maybe help offroad a bit.

Maybe i'll take some of the part you are taking out of frosty =)

 

Dude I'll let you drive it offroad if you want.

Once it's done, it's not like there's gonna be a lot to break on it lol.

 

One worry I'm starting to get on the weight-reduction deal: Ya know how adding power always goes towards MPG's when the computer figures out what you did? What if by some chance the computer senses it doesn't need as much power due to weight reduction, and cuts it a bit more in some wierd attempt to save a couple extra MPG's? Might not make too much sense, but not much about the programming does.

 

Computer will never cut power when the engine is not stressed if that was the case then it would be cutting power almost every time you aren't at full throttle. If you have a scanguage what you will see is that it will show less horsepower being generated if there is less weight to pull, makes everything more efficient. If a patriot weighed 2000lbs it would be a rocket ship, engine would be oblivious to the fact that its missing about 1500lbs.

Years ago there was a guy here who had a totally stock cavalier Z24 and he was running consistent 14.7's in the 1/4 mile. He had ZERO engine work done and had removed absolutely everything from the vehicle except the seat. He also had lightweight wheels.

Every 100lbs is .1 second off in the 1/4mile.

 

Sweet. Good to know. I think mine has roughly a 3,200 pound curb weight, but for what I want to do unfortunately the needed mods would likely put it up close to 4,000 pounds, maybe a little more, haha.

 

TA DA!!! The day before I picked it up.

So update time even though I'm not even near home.
Transmission has been found and hopefully everything will align and Baconriot88 will pick it up for me on Saturday. Thanx Bud!
I'm so close to pushing myself over the edge and ordering all the springs. I'm looking still for 15" rims for a good deal, that of course will look good painted white.

I think I should just start ordering stuff like crazy though. The more parts waiting for me the better, rather than me wait on them.

My 2010 looks huge next to Frosty right now lol.

 

Just don't expose the new ride to alot of heat, otherwise it might melt and Santa's gonna have to come put it back together and take it to live with him at the North Pole.

 

If you confronted me with $800 cash my 15" wheel/tire setup is yours

 

Then what would you use? The 2007-2010 17-inchers, perhaps? Those black 15-inchers looked so good on that Compass.

 

Use my 19"s only problem is they suck in the winter. There is the same style of Mud/AT tire in 255/55/19 but i'm thinking it wouldn't fit. I'm OCD when it comes to wheels and tires so i'm always looking to change it up.

 

Lol, I'd offer you my wheels when I'm done with 'em, but you already have(or had) an identical set. This is what I wanna get when I'm able to http://centerlinewheels.com/wheel_deals_detail.php?id=12255&type=bolt&data=5-4.5

 

Great looking little white Pat. It'd look great with black rims. Maybe just paint those black?

 

Thanks, but no to the black. I don't want a panda, I want Frosty.

Tyler we may work something out yet... but I'm really trying to keep this build cost low after spending so much on my 2010.

 

If some good winter/icer tires can be had that work on the existing rims, another possibility is to use what you've got, adding plastidip for white rims with homemade whitewalls on the tires. Depends on exactly how much white you want, too. Don't wanna be mistaken for a snowbank, lol.

 

Ultimate Patriot!!!???

I'm following this one. Looks like you are going to build a pretty awesome unit...can't wait to see it unfold!!!

Bill.

 

Loving where this build is going!

 

Found some rear upper control arms last night that I have never see before... These things look f'in beefy. I'm gonna wait to order until after the weekend hopefully the company has a Canadian Supplier so I can save a bit on shipping. If not I found them on ebay for $360CAD. These things make RRO arms look weak. They are expensive but this company looks to be where it's at. Ajustable on vehicle! +/-2.0 degrees like RRO and Moog.
Once I get them I'll post review of them, but until then top secret.

I've been searching for just the right combination of parts to make this thing intense. Everything is slowly falling into place perfectly how I want it to.

I wanted to keep build cost low on this one but it is starting to seem that the setup I want in this will cost near 2k just for suspension, but I guess that's the price I'll have to pay to piece together a one of a kind beefy lift.

I'm looking at it in this light though: My 2010 is strong and can take a huge hit if need be, but this 08 is going to be stronger, lighter and more unique.

Jeeperitis, just saw the title you made for your post. Lol thanks, I really hope so. I know I'm going a route with this that not many people(if any) have done before.

 

Of rear upper control arms and ex Pat's....LOL!!!



I installed the MOOG rear upper control arms on my Pat,and it made alignment a total breeze,the alignment guy's who are quite good @ Kal Tire said the adjustable rear upper control arms made the difference in dialing it in nuts on,and importantly, locking in the rear adjustment.....giving much more range of movement..the lift kit should come with these!!!

I think your build will be awesome,can't wait to see it.

On anther note. I think I saw my ex lifted and wheeled-tired pat the other day. It was around dusk so lower light conditions,but that look and stance caught my eye..I said holly F$%@(I was by myself in the JK).."I think that was my old PAT!!!!!" The whole time I had my lifted and wheel-tired Pat I ...NEVER... saw another one lifted or modded like mine,or modifications of any kind!!!......and the really weird thing is that I bought my JK, and subsequently traded my Pat at an out of town dealership approx. 120 miles away!!!! So now I've got my eye out for this lifted and wheel-tired Pat that may be my ex Pat,and running around my town!!

Bill.

 

Seeing your old vehicle on the road is always a treat. Last year I found 2 of my old vehicles in separate junk yards! They were piles of junk when I sold/totaled them, so I'm not surprised at all. lol

I keep having that thought in my head though to sell the 08 once its on the road and not put much into it money-wise... Combination of I want to buy my first home or build a race truck pre-runner style... Either way the 08 will be fixed and on the road but do I get rid of a stock vehicle or marry another one?

Here's a lil look at what I found though:

 

Hey can you put up a link on where you found those control arms? Pretty please?

 

Transmission swap started today. It hovers below 0C here before noon so I only worked on it for a few hours, but mostly everything is out of the way. Tomorrow I have a sensor, bell housing bolts, cross member, 2 mounts, inspection plate to mark the torque converter, and I should be ready to pull it out.

I think I've figured out a way to get some struts installed that have 1" more travel for a reasonable price it involves different front control arms and sway bar link relocation(mostly bolt in, if not all) but I'm thinking with this suspension setup it would be minimum $1500 and upwards to $2000. Just not sure if it's worth it for 1" more suspension travel and a 2" lift.

Either way suspension build or not I expect to be driving Frosty be the end of the week.

 

Either way suspension build or not I expect to be driving Frosty be the end of the week.

Well that didn't pan out as expected. One bad motor mount stopped progress, then work happened. Oh well soon it will happen. It is mostly wrapped up, I have heard it run twice now. But won't be much progress until mid to late January.

It isn't worth it, 1 more inch of travel isn't really going to help much...........but you are kinda crazy so I could see you doing it =)

It's totally worth it. Struts aren't much of a price difference.

But since my last post on this thread plans have changed a wee bit.

I've just bought a house and I had been thinking about getting rid of both patriots to get a bigger jeep but the garage door is too short. :doh: lol Oh well I wasn't really set on starting a new build on a new platform anyways. Plus the 2010 will be paid off next year and Frosty all paid for, so really might as well drive them till they die.

So on with Frosty!

I've found adjustable rear lower control arms, camber arms and toe links. All have pillowball mounts instead of rubber bushings so those should be tougher than stock or anything else available. But not cheap $1210 just for those.
I've already talked to the supplier and will be on order very shortly.

I just came across an adjustable coil over lift kit for a similar vehicle and I'm gonna work on confirming fitment now. I don't know much on spec yet either but I'm working on that too.

I'm trying to find anything that could help the Patriot out in any way possible. But I think for the most part the trick will be trying to free up some power and lighten the vehicle. Nothing too extreme since it will still be road-worthy but enough to make it a bad azz Riot.

Removing the AC, adding AEM intake and possibly trying a lightened crank pulley will be a start with the motor.

At this point with all the plans I have for my first home and Frosty, I can't decide which I'm more excited for!

I can't wait for everything to start coming together.

 

It isn't worth it, 1 more inch of travel isn't really going to help much...........but you are kinda crazy so I could see you doing it =)

 

Actually, I've thought of this too. Maybe remove all the carpet and a lot of panels and just box line the interior. But white of course lol

 

if you go beyond 2.x inches how are you going to address axle and cv angles and bind? oh. and get a set of jeep steelie wheels and paint them white...will look killer on it.

 

Well you see that 2" mark has been set by models that sit 1" higher than Frosty. But I don't intend to exceed those limits quite yet, not sure if that's part of the end goal either at this point. The main goal of what I'm doing right now is maximize the amount of strut travel to gain some flex. Better traction to the ground should be a big help to it. I'm also trying to find ways to widen the stance more than to lift higher.

One day(probly not anytime soon), I'd love to swap in the 3.0l Mivec motor so I don't want to go through too much just to do it twice.

And I'm totally on page with the white wheels. Just gotta find some I like, hoping for 15s... but I would settle for 16s if I find something I like.

Maybe sell/trade away some of the parts you won't need, to offset cost?

Actually Tyler has been eyeing up the AC system in Frosty since I picked it up lol.



Also some good news. The company that's make an adjustable lift is going to help me confirm fitment, so we just may have another manufacturer of lift kits for the MK platform very shortly. But they tossed the thought out there of a one off lift for me, which I might go for but again not for height but for suspension travel. If I can get even just 2" more travel than stock with the 2"ish lift, why not? Couple other small things and this thing could really go places.

 

Maybe sell/trade away some of the parts you won't need, to offset cost?

 

Make up some quick discos for the swaybars. Lots of travel to had there.

 

I was thinking of just removing them all together. I'm gonna try this set up though first before completely removing them just so I can figure it if it would be safe to drive without full time. Then that's a bit of weight gone lol.

 

It will be sketchy without swaybars on the road. I bet you can rig up a set of disco's easy enough. You can buy little kits for the JK where its just pins and cotters. So, I would have a look at those.

 

I realize it might be sketchy on the road, but a few other members have ran fully disconnected before. So I'm thinking I just want to try it for myself too. I might just end back at quick disconnects if I don't like the way it drives without.

I saw these rims last night and I think these ones might be the ones for me to find for Frosty.

I think these would look great to match the all white look and give it a classic feel.