The FDII patriots sit about an inch higher than FDI and 2WD Patriots based on owner measurements. That's really all that matters. AFAIK, no one on here has determined what the difference is. Theories about different springs, spacers, and tire sizes abound.

 

I have heard the combination of the springs and tires give it the extra 1".

 

You are correct. No one has confirmed the part numbers, however we do know it is 1/2" from tires and 1/2" from elsewhere.

 

At my office, we have parked our FDI and my FDII side by side. Same exact 17" wheels and tires. And the FDII is definitely higher up.

It's either longer springs, or stiffer springs.

 

UA, surely you must notice the stiffer springs in the FDII. I notice it when I'm in shirks FDI - the ride is smoother in the FDI

 

Honestly, I haven't driven our FDI at all. It's used by our survey crew to work out of, so they have it out in the field all day.

I'll make a point to drive it this weekend to compare.

 

I will try and get some pictures of our two Pats together this weekend to show the difference. But I can tell you that the wheels and tires are identical on our FDI and FDII.

 

Here's a couple of pics of our two Pats. The green one is FDII, the silver one is FDI.
The wheels and tires on both are exactly the same. You can tell from the pics that the FDII is up a little bit higher.

And for what its worth, I drove them both around the block one after the other for a comparison, and the FDI does feel like a softer suspension.

 

UA Who, next time with a tape measure!

We all know it FDII is higher, just not sure why.

The parts manual has also been discussed. Despite multiple spring part numbers, each one lists 49 and 74, meaning they are for the Compass and the Patriot. FDII is not available on the Compass.

 

UA Who, next time with a tape measure!

We all know it FDII is higher, just not sure why.

The parts manual has also been discussed. Despite multiple spring part numbers, each one lists 49 and 74, meaning they are for the Compass and the Patriot. FDII is not available on the Compass.

you're right, FDII isn't available on the Compass. but my 'guess' is that they use the same springs on the "Rallye" model.

if only I had a VIN for a Compass Rallye model to compare........


I also said some time ago that it only makes sense that the FDII springs are stiffer and maybe a bit taller due to the fact the trans is much heavier than the standard 4x4 model, not to mention the weight from the skidplates. they had to compensate for the weight difference somehow, otherwise the FDII would look like a Low Rider!

 

I have 2 VINs for 2WD Compass Rallyes that were availbile when I got my Compass, but not any 4WD.

 

New to the forum here, but i can add some hard facts to this discussion.

I bought my 2008 Patriot used at about a year old and 30k mi. first thing i did was contact customerassist@chrysler.com and asked for the detailed build specs on my vehicle based on my VIN number. they got back to me right away, and based on the descriptions in the list, it seems my Pat was custom ordered with all the bells and whistles of the FDII, except for a manual trans (which i specifically looked for in a used Pat), the 'Touring Suspension,' and 215/60R17 Firestone 'Touring tires.'

At just 30k mi, these speed-rated tires were pretty well worn, so in the hopes of raising the car up a bit, i put BFG Long Trail T/A 235/65R17's on it. In the same level spot in my work parking lot, the bottom of the "J" in "Jeep" of my frontand rear mud flaps were both exactly 1" higher off the ground. Plus the white-lettering looked much better. The only catch is that the bigger tires do rub on the inside side of a turn on the bottom of the wheel wells with the wheel turned all the way - get it? - the back of the right wheel rubs when turning hard right (and visa versa).

Then after starting to do some towing of my little 17' sailboat, i thought i'd like to upgrade the rear shocks. I priced it at a couple hundred bucks and a whole weekend worth of work, so put it on hold. Then, WHACK!!, i got rear-ended on the way home from work one day and part of the re-build involved re-alignment, so i asked my mechanic to look into the 'Off-road' rear springs. He found them through his MOPAR supplier, but said i had to get new shocks to match the longer travel of the new springs.

I can't find my receipt right now, but it came to about $300 all told for the new rear suspension (i left the front as 'touring' to save $ and to get the A-team-Van-look).

Moral of the story though, is that afterward, I checked the height of the Pat in the same spot in my work parking lot: the "J" in "Jeep" on the rear mudflap was exaclty 1.5" higher after the new springs. So, that's 1" for the tires and 1.5" for the springs, each done independently. I could also feel the new angle to the Pat when i sat in it. Very happy with my decision.

It also def and tows much better now what with the stiffer ride.

Sorry i dont have part numbers for the stiffer springs, but my mechanic did say his MOPAR guy called them the 'Off-Road' springs and shocks. The mechanic also said it was a bear to change everything out. After re-assembling the car from the accident, he had to tear the inside all apart again to get at the mounting bolts on the top of the shocks...

hope this helps someone.

 

I want to see pictures of this "A-team" looking patriot.

 

me too....

 

its not all that dramatic/noticeable, but i'll work on getting some pics.

 

Off-Road Springs in Rear, Touring in Front...

Here's a pic of the 'A-team Patriot.' Its not the best picture - i don't think the 1.5" difference is even noticeable in the picture, but def in person and in the ride.