The downside is about a 2 - 3 mpg hit on gas mileage.

 

to be honest with you I think it is a waste... lower MPG, more $ and what would you need it for? Any trails you would need skid plates and all the other extras are pushing it for the patriot... any less and obviously the equipment wouldn't be needed... want the badge? Its less then $10 that can be added after you get it... and it looks just as cool.... if you are into that.

Also, there is no autostick... which now that I have it, I wouldn't want to give up.

JMHO

 

I don't have even 4x4 but MPG will go down, and I think that is important on this vehicle

 

think of the amount of money you'll be spending not only on the badge, but the gas over the years. Do you think you'll ever use it enough to pay for the option? Do you think having that 19:1 final drive ratio is that much better than a 15:1 final drive ratio? 19:1 isn't that short of a gear if you compare it to any normal low gear in a 4x4.

 

Unless you plan on going on actual trails (in which you'd actually NEED skid plates, and the other extras) you'll do just fine with the FD1. I just had a massive ice-storm, and it was great, and made the off-road packages of pickup trucks look like chumps. More in the thread I started.

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?p=52983#post52983