Very reminiscent of the old Eagle Wagon in my opinion...

 

Hmm, so looks like this to you? Interesting.

 

I like the color, not sure what I think of the lift yet.

 

I think it's killer. Tires look great too.

 

I test drove a 4x4 compass last spring when the compass & patriot came into my radar - went to a lot that's used mostly by local kids & their atvs and baja'd the salesguy around for a while :wow: - can they still sell that as new? It would have really been fun with the lift & a stick

 

One question.....WHY?

 

Watch out...he bans people on other forums for less....:doh:

 

Duh! Same reason that they are lifting the Patriot. Think outside the "box". Now it fits with the rest of the family a bit better. It's a Jeep thing, maybe you don't understand.

 

I don't dig the curves of the compass probably why I went with the patriot huh? I think of the two the patriot looks more natural lifted, but the compass doesn't look bad. By natural I mean balanced. I think whats throwing me off is the roof rack what would it look like with out that? Anyway what matters is you like it, and it fits in with the family now.

 

Guess I don't

 

Looks good. Fits right in with the other Jeeps. I am amazed how similar it looks to the Liberty.

 

Looks great! I like the pic of the GC, Compass & Liberty.

How much of a lift is it?

 

I think they are cute - European looking. It's just that it's a car and you don't think of Jeep making cars - when you look at this you don't think "dirt, mud, snow". But, you know, when I see little 4x2 wranglers with little wheels I don't think that either - and when they have big wheels you gotta wonder At least this knows what it is - a car made by Jeep for those that want the Jeep reliability - and hopefully they are lifting 4x4s because they need to for some other reason than seeing over traffic (the one I drove scraped the bottom a couple times :icon_rolleyes. I just would like the Yuppies Jeep People Wannabees to either figure out how to be a good family member or go away - and you don't just find them in Compasses

 

I think they are cute - European looking. It's just that it's a car and you don't think of Jeep making cars - when you look at this you don't think "dirt, mud, snow".

To Gramps's defense, it isn't a car. Its a CUV, just like the Patriot. It is no different than lifting a FDI Patriot.

I still don't think the Compass looks like my idea of a jeep, but then again, they aren't marketing it towards me (although I will say that if we are talking purely about aesthetics, it looks better lifted). Further, I maintain, and this goes for the FDI Patriots too, I don't understand why you would lift one. It is equivalent to lifting a CR-V.

Why go for the extra ground clearance if you don't have the components to make it through the obstacles you can now "clear"? Okay, so less rocks will scrape the bottom of your vehicle now....that isn't going to help if you are stuck in the middle of a muddy, steep, or rocky trail that your 4X4 system (FDI - lacking crawl ratio, skid plates, off-road anti-lock breaks, hill descent, brake locking differentials etc.) wasn't made for.

Looks better, increases its off-road ability, but due to the limiting factors (that are at least partially addressed by the FDII off-road package available exclusively on the Patriot) I don't understand the point.

To each is own, and happy...trails.

 

Visually, I think it pulls the compass out of the "crossover" class and makes it seem more like a small SUV as intended.

 

This thread is about the lift on the Compass - I strayed a bit - sorry .

I have a stick, so, no it's not trail rated I didn't need that for what I want to do, and yes, you can get the same mechanics on the compass, that's why I drove one, but I couldn't get as much into it as I wanted when I go camping and my dogs wouldn't both fit in the back, as well as I didn't want a Jeep that looked like a car.

Anyway, the Compass is cute and it will fit many a rear-end, it just wasn't right for mine. I did meet a couple that had just bought one (4x2) at the carwash not too long ago - she LOVED it and her husband HATED it - they both called it a "chick car". I can't imagine them lifting it for any good reason - just like any other 4x2.

 

This thread is about the lift on the Compass - I strayed a bit - sorry .

I have a stick, so, no it's not trail rated I didn't need that for what I want to do, and yes, you can get the same mechanics on the compass, that's why I drove one, but I couldn't get as much into it as I wanted when I go camping and my dogs wouldn't both fit in the back, as well as I didn't want a Jeep that looked like a car.

Anyway, the Compass is cute and it will fit many a rear-end, it just wasn't right for mine. I did meet a couple that had just bought one (4x2) at the carwash not too long ago - she LOVED it and her husband HATED it - they both called it a "chick car". I can't imagine them lifting it for any good reason - just like any other 4x2.

Why? The Compass and Patriot are almost identical size wise. The Patriot is a little bigger on the Top Rear Corners but you can't really put anything there.

 

To Patriot Kmc: My apologies for such a tactless answer!

To unclejjg: Thanks for your kind words! I also have the ability to lift bands. Send me a pm if you like. I do NOT hold grudges!

To others: Thanks for the kind words!

Why lift anything at all besides just for aesthetics? Of course that is reason enough to me but I do have others.

I live in snow country, 50 miles round trip to work over the back roads that are lucky to ever see a snow plow. Last year I only had to go threw a couple of snow blown areas about 8" - 10" deep and 200 yards long or so and the Compass did just fine. I'm glad that there wasn't a dead deer or a big pile of "something" laying under that cover of snow so I'll be going with skid plates too - later.

All of the MK's have ESP, TC & ERM so even the FWD's have it better than many other vehicles out there. Good enough to get the groceries, kids after school or what have you. Even lifting a FWD helps that much more during adverse driving conditions. The FD I gains even more capabilities first with the AWD but then surpasses just about all other AWD "cars" because of the 4WD lock. The Patriot with FD II is the top of the line for traction controls for more serious off-roading but that does not leave the others sitting in the parking lot when it come to camping and other "back woods" fun, it just dictates some moderation and improving your driving abilities.

The MK's are both considered crossovers by most because of the chassis. The Patriot has the more conventional Jeep look and is willingly put into the SUV category by most. The Compass being more of a 5 door hatch back does fit the definition of a true crossover. If you lower it, it crosses over into a "car" and if you lift it, it crosses over into an SUV. Vehicles are personal to most and the factory only builds compromises to sell as many as they can. Even the special orders have a limited list to choose from. Personalizing your Jeep has been going on since the MB's were obsoleted after WW II. Nothing has really changed on that issue.

My stock ground clearance was 8.4 inches with FD I and 215/55R18 tires (27.4"); with the lift kit (2.125") and 235/60VR19 (29") I now have 11" of gc.

This picture is the day after one of those snows that I mentioned. I won't forget my camera again this year!

 

May be the same mechanically as a FD1 Patriot, but, but...look at it

 

Yeah it looks great! Much better looking than the boring, boxy Patriot.

 

So.....

How bout them Bears.....?




epper:

 

Oh crap dude, you musta quoted me 1 second before I edited and removd my first comment. Wasnt very nice...Sorry gramps. Different strokes for different folks

 

1 second

huh......?

 

LMAO...Thanks man :notworthy:

 

There is a difference between the Patriot and Compass

The Patriot's 4x4 system is tweaked differently than the Compass and Caliber. Granted that they are mechanically the same, but the programming is different. Personally I think the trail rated version of the Patriot is pointless with the exception of the skid plates. Any advantage you gain from the low setting is lost in having to tolerate that horrid CVT. I'll take a manual over that any day.

I will say though that everything is relative and maybe the low setting is of value out west in the mountains, but here in the midwest where mud, snow and ice are the issue, low gear means little.

 

The Patriot's 4x4 system is tweaked differently than the Compass and Caliber. Granted that they are mechanically the same, but the programming is different. Personally I think the trail rated version of the Patriot is pointless with the exception of the skid plates. Any advantage you gain from the low setting is lost in having to tolerate that horrid CVT. I'll take a manual over that any day.

I will say though that everything is relative and maybe the low setting is of value out west in the mountains, but here in the midwest where mud, snow and ice are the issue, low gear means little.

The FDI system is EXACTLY the same on the Compass & the Patriot.
Are you referring to the FDII System?

 

I actually like the Patriot and I have no reason to criticize it other than to retaliate against the Patriot “elitists” playground bullies. There are many times when I end up defending the Patriot for its boxiness when I hear comments like: “It looks like they recycled junkyard sheet metal from a Cherokee” and “It looks just like what every kindergarten kid draws when asked to draw a picture of the family car – a box on wheels.” Classic Jeep fans just don’t like change. I’ve been around long enough to recall the Willys Wagon, Jeepster, CJ7 and the Wrangler getting beat up, history repeats itself. I’ve also been around long enough to own a ’41 Willys Coupe, OMG - a CAR!

Like Glen says “pictures don’t do the Patriot justice, they don’t do the Compass justice either. At least my Compass is on the Rocky Road site shown between a GC and a Libby proving how well it fits in with the Jeep family. You don’t like the Compass – TOUGH – get over it, get over yourselves and grow up! You’re the ones that are coming into the Compass section and doing the flaming and trolling, not the other way around. Through out this whole site I see so much misinformation, speculation and “I think” statements that it’s not funny. Even when the real specifications are posted you fail to use the information available. You could gain a lot of knowledge by using what the Caliber and Compass owners have already found out because we’ve had ours longer and we’ve already put on the miles. If some people would read the TSB’s they would also find out that the programming up dates apply to ALL of the PM’s and MK’s, no special “tweaking” involved at all except on the FD II and that is controlled more by some special override switches in the CVT and a different differential. nearly.normal provided the parts book :smiley_thumbs_up: – use it! Unfortunately I’ve found out that it is out dated and doesn’t contain all of the information on the FD II items that is covered in ‘08.

What a big waste of time it is just to defend the Compass sheet metal against the trolls when it is entirely a subjective issue.

Have a Merry Christmas!

 

“It looks just like what every kindergarten kid draws when asked to draw a picture of the family car !

That's a good one...
I hadn't heard that one.

I think the Compass looks sweet Gramps.
My Uncle has one in the mtns of North Carolina. (and I truly mean IN the mtns)
I showed him your pics and he is now considering the lift as there are a few
washed out logging roads he has a tough time with.

He had bought a maxed out GC. Took it back after the 3rd tank fill up and was gonna get a Patriot but the dealer had no 4wds on the lot and he and the wife liked the Compass better anyway after seeing it.

thats all,
Merry Christmas right back at ya

Jim

 

Good call Gramps. The Compass is a nice ride, just not for me....Thats why I bought a PAtriot. I suspect the PAtriot wasnt for you, and in turn you optd for the Compass

Its kinda like the V6 guys defending thmselves about those with the HEMI's on the LX and Charger forums I'm a member of.

In the end, they are all nice rides, and we all have out subjective reasons why we bought what we did.

Happy Holidays and lets all enjoy our babies

Now my buddies home built, custom rock crawlere could make fun of all of us on the trails

 

My choices were limited. I was "digging" for a new ride (MOPAR of course) back when the Neon was going OBL and the new Dodge PM chassis was just sneaking out on the spy fotos. Sheet metal doesn't influence my buying as much as the powertrain. I orders a Caliber R/T AWD in the very beginning of April '06 for a cross country trip that was planned for Sept of that year. As the end of July is approaching the Caliber is still sitting in "D" status with no sign of movement. The reason is that they were integrating the Compass into the line at the Belvidere plant and the robots were getting all tied up with each other and bringing production down to a crawl. The Compass wasn't supposed to be out until the END of the Summer but I went on line to the local dealers to see what was available and found the Limited 4X4 with more than I had really wanted on it but they took a big chunk off the sticker price and even took my rust bucket in trade for far more than it was worth. Such a deal I couldn't refuse! I have never regretted it either. Would I make the same choice over again? Under the same circumstances, yes. If all of them had been available? Not with out some "paralysis threw analysis" in making my final decision. I'm happy that I don't have that decision to make, it would be a tough one. At the time I needed new transportation the Compass was there and has never let me down. It was just meant to be.

Before I lifted my Compass people were confused. It was called a car, a truck, an SUV, a crossover and a Jeep. It has only been called 2 things since the lift; a Jeep and a truck. That suits me just fine! Even the hard core Jeep fans at the dealership have shown their approval.

Now if I can get a StarTech front end for the right price...

Jim - I posted the install information on the lift kit (you know where) and it's not that hard to do. I also have some better alignment specs should anybody need them, I'll need an email address pm'd to me because it's in jpg that can't handle shrinking down very well.

RTracer - the only thing "wrong" for me on the Patriot was the lack of availability, period. I think they're cool!

 

great post, Gramps. :smiley_thumbs_up:

i like the Patriot as well, but the Compass fit my preferences better. for instance, i didn't care to have a vehicle with 'all the toys' (26E Compass Pkg) yet i didn't want VINYL seats with the base model. with my Compass, i got the 26D Package (in other words the 'base model') and with just the options i wanted. the only major thing i need to add is CC, but i got the nice 'Yes Essentials' seats instead of the Patriots Vinyl ones.....that was the deal breaker for me on the Patriot.

i'm planning on beefing my Jeep up a bit so that it can wear the "Trail Rated" badge i've put on the drivers side 'A' pillar, but probably not lifting it. just bigger tires (maybe 29's?), FDII springs from a Patriot and some skid plates and a hitch. then i'll be 'good to go'.....and go, and go, and go

 

I like the compass lifted. Planning on doing the same to my 4x2 Patty soon and adding bigger tires. So the purist say thats pointless, but they've probably never treaded the appalachians on a normal everyday real life course. It might not get the job done on an ORV course but not catching those rocks, branches, and bumps when climbing the hills and valleys of TN/VA makes a little more clearance well worth it. As for scrap metal, I've been waiting for the Patriot for years. It's the first affordable jeep since the Cherokee that doesn't have those rounded lines and is still suitable for traveling. I traded my Mechanically unsound 2000 Cherokee for the Pat because they were virtually the same cosmetically inch for inch (add some headroom, give up some cargo space). I like the box shaped jeeps but the Commander is to expensive and the dealer said this is the last year they'll be around so I didn't see myself getting into one of those anytime soon that still had the warrantly intact and the wrangers are just plain impractical for someone who travels constantly. The dealers in Nashville said that almost every trade they'd taken on a Patty was from a Cherokee owner which tells me that those of us that weren't using our jeeps as ORVs but more as dependable well rounded vehicles with both character and tradition are the actual audience for the Patriot not the crossover market. I'd imagine that many of us with Pattys haven't owned a new car until now because other than a bare wrangler they were expensive until they'd been off the lot. That being said if they'd have had a trailrated version of my patty available at a descent price that wouldn't have cost me the other features I'd have taken it in a heartbeat! I miss the security of 4x4 in a real pinch but the patty and the compass both provide the best 4x2 capability out there. I spent today exploring the Virginia highlands backroads getting an average of 26.3 mpgs which any other jeep other than the Patty and Compass could never do!

 

you have the right attitude....to each his own. you have to go with what works for YOU. glad to hear you're enjoying your Patriot!

 

Why go for the extra ground clearance if you don't have the components to make it through the obstacles you can now "clear"? Okay, so less rocks will scrape the bottom of your vehicle now....that isn't going to help if you are stuck in the middle of a muddy, steep, or rocky trail that your 4X4 system (FDI - lacking crawl ratio, skid plates, off-road anti-lock breaks, hill descent, brake locking differentials etc.) wasn't made for.

Looks better, increases its off-road ability, but due to the limiting factors (that are at least partially addressed by the FDII off-road package available exclusively on the Patriot) I don't understand the point.

To each is own, and happy...trails.[/QUOTE]
The same argument could be made against the patriot which in actuality lacks a true low range. Because in reality the patriot is very limited offroad when it comes to big trails. In regard to skid plates those can be easily fabbed, and you do not need hill descent if you got a stick rather than a automatic. People been going down hills long before hill decent.

Personally my question for gramps is how does it drive now in comparison to before? What do you like and what do you dislike? Looks good.:notworthy: