Interesting project. I looked into getting some Jerry cans and various mounts some time ago even had a thread going on that topic. I see you're in CA as well. Make sure you're familiar with state laws in regards to Jerry cans and transporting correctly. After I read those it made my head hurt.

 

Yikes! I didn't know there were laws for jerry cans, although I should have figured.

Question though, I see Wranglers and older Cherokees carrying 1 or 2 bright red jerry cans EVERY DAY here where I live. Either the laws are pretty relaxed, or lots of people just don't care?

 

Here is the thread I started last year.

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223553

 

Thanks for the link. I agree it's not the safest place to mount the can for everyday driving, that's why I figured I'd mount it higher near the rear window to reduce the risk of rear end collision issues. Also, Amazon has the CARB compliant jerry cans for around 70 dollars so I figure I'll spend a little more to keep the 5-0 happy.

Once this thing darts to take shape I'll share pictures.

 

yeah, if you notice the carriers for Wranglers--you'll notice that they're high up--so in case of a rear-end collision, it wouldn't get hit and split immediately. My army jeep has it well above bumper height--something developed 70 years ago....

 

I'd be really sketched out with it being hitch mounted compared to the wranglers who normally have it attached to their spare tire aftermarket bumpers.

If you get rear ended, they'll hit the hitch. When they hit the hitch the gas will spill and boom
Fire.

 

I know the wranglers sit considerably higher than the patriots so that also reduces the risk of any rear end issues. I figure after my RRO lift and running a 29.5" tire, I've gained around 4-4.5" of ride height over a stock patriot. Plus, the plan is to mount the jerry can even higher near the rear window. Yes the mounting point will be the hitch, but the jerry can will be close to 4 feet off the ground by the time it's mounted. Sure I'll lose a little visibility out of the rear window, but its necessary to keep the can out of harms way. If I do end up getting rear ended, the guy behind me has to pay my repair bills anyway, so a new rear window will just be a part of that bill.

Besides, this mount is more for occasional use such as trail trips and weekend outings, daily driving it'll be removed because my wife wont want to mess with moving it every time she needs to get in the lift gate area. Again, it's mostly for looks but will have nice benefits out of the trail. 5 gallons is practically a 1/2 tank in this jeep. Haha

 

Ever thought about a roof rack mounted one?

 

My wife doesn't like the look of the roof racks, so that's kinda out. I like the roof rack idea the best, because then I could carry a hi lift too, but until the wifey changes her mind, I'm stuck trying out other options.

 

Lol, this reminds me of something I heard a couple nights ago. A good used car salesman doesn't change people's minds, that's too hard. Instead, he changes the perception of value. Perhaps this could help the cause for the roof racks?

 

Since my sound proofing I can't fit my spare tire in the back anymore, so I've been looking at getting this:

http://www.tiregate.com/shop/hitchgate-adventure-series-centered/

 

I LOVE the look of that!!! But 900 bucks!?!? Yikes! That's definetly about 700 more than a wanna spend on this project.

 

And it will add a lot of weight off the back end and lower visibility.

 

It's been a few weeks longer than I antisipated, but I started on the jerry can mount today, still waiting on the jerry can locking mount itself, but the pics below will give you an idea. I should have it completed and painted over the weekend. Let me know what you think!

 

Here is the completed project minus paint and the jerry can locking mount. It will be finished Sunday.

 

That turned out pretty slick! How easy is it to get to the cargo door if you need to get in there though with that mounted?

 

Super easy, we made it on a hinge so it folds down out of the way of the lift gate.

The picture below shows the hinge, once I have it all together I'll post a video and better pictures.

I checked with Chp and they said jerry cans without a vent are illegal here in CA. I told them mine had a vent and they said if I got pulled over with to show them the vent and I should be ok. The fact that it's metal still makes it illegal but the vent will help me get out of a fix it ticket if the officer is understanding. I'm good to go!

 

Alright... How much would you charge to build another?

?

 

You have a PM.

 

Just wanted to give you guys a picture of the finished product. Let me know what you think.

 

Looks pretty good...One question, where can you use the hilift on your Patriot? Got some steel bumpers and sliders ordered up or did I just ruin a surprise?

 

Looks awesome!

 

That looks amazing. Maybe time to start taking orders.

 

Haha thanks, I ended up going to the steel yard today to pick up materials to build about 3 more of these things. I friend of mine had a ford ranger that he wants to install one on. These things will work on anything with a hitch.

I figured out the materials cost about 80 dollars (metal, bolts, paint, lockable jerry can mount) and if anyone is interested id be happy to build some for the fellow forum members on here for a total of 130.00 plus shipping. That price won't include the jerry can or the hi lift, but I can include for an additional fee if you'd like them.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

 

There is one company that at least tries to build stuff for the Patriot......
http://www.rocky-road.com/patriot-rock-sliders.html

 

Thanks for sharing, I ordered my lift from that company about a month ago. I like that way put out for the patriot, but things seem WAY overpriced for what you get. I understand they have a monopoly over the patriot market so they can change a premium, but almost 500 bucks for a simple "puck" lift? Come on, those things are 99 bucks all day for any other jeep or truck out there. Their rock sliders are the same way, 319 bucks plus another 60 for shipping? No thanks.

I understand supply and demand, that's why I decided to build as much as I can on my own. I take ideas from the wrangler sites and see how I can scale them to the patriot. Honestly I'd like to see other company's start building for these things too, but I know what won't happen now that jeep discontinued the patriot/compass for that God aweful excuse for a jeep, the renegade.

 

$409 for the super sliders but lifetime warranty. http://www.rocky-road.com/patriot-rock-sliders.html

Edit: whoops, already posted. Yes I agree that's a bit expensive and way over priced for the lift(I'm planning on STU's and a 1" custom spacer). Wonder if we could get a group discount if a bunch of us order together?

 

Hmm, group discount would be nice. But, isn't it usually the Jeeps that have been out awhile that have more aftermarket support? Could be a good excuse to start finding companies to build better parts for the Patriot market.

 

The Patriot market is just too small. Anyone that is going to take an old one and build it up will be able to fab their own parts or buy a way cheaper, better performing Wrangler or Cherokee. Plus the model is ending in 2016 anyways. ~9 years the Patriot has been out...that's plenty of time.

 

Yeah, but the Wrangler aftermarket didn't get big until what, the '70s or '80s? By then it had been out 30-40 years. ZJ's still don't have alot of aftermarket, and they've been out since 1992. XJ's got their big aftermarket break in the last ten years I think, and they've been out since 1984. The Patriot's turn will come, we just need to be kinda patient and if we want better results, maybe pass around petitions to send to aftermarket companies asking them to make Patriot parts.

 

I want one of these. Talk about a perfect place for tools so that they are not taking up space in the spare well.