Although the lack of these items aren't a major issue with me, I would consider an appropriate aftermarket addition. I like the idea of storage beneath the seats--many vans have had that before..

I still want seat back pockets! Maybe this ol' engineer has to come out of retirement and design them for manufacture in China!

 

i feel about the same.
the door arm rests could be softer.
the center console i find ok.

as far as pockets on the rear of the front seats, i installed covercraft "seatsavers" seatcovers.
they have the pockets built in.

 

Well I don't mind the 08 interior that much. At 24 mpg I can live with a sore elbow. I would though consider swapping the door panels and center console as long as it wasn't real expensive to do.

 

I think I'll save the cash and use some industrial Velcro to attach a few bean bags to the arm rests, screw the ungodly cost of replacing the door panel which are sure to cost an arm and a leg. Personally, I would not be surprised if they do replace those panels, it will be a complete redesign, with all different switch locations, door handle assemblies and anything else they could do to make replacing the panels in an older model a royal snow job. I would dont expect the center console to be any easier know how engineers think.

 

I already have a redesign for the center console in mind. As well as an idea for the arm rests. I need to get some factory vinyl to match my interior. I don't like the 09 interior. I think it lacks a squared off Jeep like look. Over time, I'll be adding air valves to the vent openings, both on the dash and under the seats. Arm rest pads. better Center console armrest, door for the cubby in front of the passenger seat. And some kind of storage area in the dash top, above the air vents in the center.

Ahhhhhh the possilities.

 

Is the new armrest still a "slider" like the '07s and '08s? That's probably one of the single most stupid design choices I've ever encountered in a vehicle... It's so useless and mine slides quite easily back and forth that its become quite an annoyance.

I can live with the hard door panels and less-hard center armrest, but if the new armrest doesn't slide and is compatible with previous Patriots... I might get it (although the cost is probably through the roof).

 

...... but if the new armrest doesn't slide and is compatible with previous Patriots... I might get it (although the cost is probably through the roof).

DING, DING, DING......i think we have a WINNER!!! i know the current ones are HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. i hate to think what a nicer, padded version would be........$6-800 each??? probably......:wow:

 

My armest seems to be a bit shaky. I open it often to get and store the iPod cable. Maybe it'll break and be replaced under warranty at some point in 2009? Otherwise, I doubt I would spend hundreds of dollars on this. Might as well put some padding for a few bucks. Truth be told, it doesn't annoy me much.

 

I would consider buying the armrests. The center console though made of the same hard plastic as the armrest doesn't feel as bad to me.

Wheezy, I've heard this complaint before and I agree it must be annoying, but mine doesn't do this. It seems to take just the right amount of force to slide it. I wonder if the manufacturing tolerances are to blame here. I would go in and tell them to fix it, that other Pats don't have that problem.

 

Door Padded Armrest, yep if they come to reality. But based on the picture floating around, and the look at the Journey Door panels, They won't be soft, maybe padded, but not soft.

 

I never usually use the arm rest, I end up resting my arm on my leg right next to the arm rest.... but I am looking at the new ones (if they fit) because of those scuff marks that come so easily from the seatbelts.

I do like the black instead of the silver though, which prompted me to get some black vinyl, to see how it looks.

 

Texas Jeep, yes, it is possible, I put a little stopper (the self adhesive rubber/plastic kind they use as feet to keep electronics and stuff off the table slightly so they don't overheat) on the back, so it is most comfortable for you. You can also get some self adhesive foam (1-2" thick) and make your arm rest padded.

 

wheezy, you can take some velcro, only use the soft fuzzy side, and stick that to the armrest sliding track for a bit of friction which will end the annoying easy sliding armrest.

 

That's what I've been saying on here for 2 months.

 

are there any pics online yet of the 2009 patriots?

 

pics?

 

Okay, I gotta say I didn't understand the fuss about the hard center consule until today. Went geocaching and I am usually the one driving (its my vehicle, except for car pool days), but today hubby stole the keys. I had my arm resting on the center consule and we went through alot of dirt/unmaintained roads - by the end my elbow was actually sore! Okay, there is an easy solution for me (Don't let hubby drive!), but now I know what you guys have been talking about.

 

The center console does not bother me anywhere near as much as the driver side's armrest.

 

AGREE.

 

I have found that if you take a towel, fold it in half and roll it into a log, then place that on top of the arm rest, you won't get those sore elbows. Plus, you have a towel for those unexpected moments,,, Oh, not everyone has two, two and a half year old grand daughters!

 

You guys should have all just bought standards. I don't think I have ever used the arm rest on the door. The only place my left arm rests is on the top of the door panel which isn't too soft but doesn't bother me. The center consol doesn't bother me either but I will still take a look at the 09's and see if I like them better and if it would be worth purchasing any of the interior components.

 

dude, i found pics!
HUMONGOROUS IMPROVEMENT:

I like everything they've done. From the armrest to the door panel adjustments.
New:

Current:

 

.. wow, nobody??

 

Those pics were posted in another thread and they look to be a photoshop more than anything else. IMO, the rounded vents don't fit the boxy shape of the Patriot. Padded armrests and console might be a nice addition, but not if they're compromising the shape of the vehicle.

 

soft arm rest - nice but...

Nice that Jeep acted on all the arm rest complaints. I wish they would have channeled their effort to the absence of CRD engine in N.America.

A little off topic: I don't really understand why the complaints about the hard plastic arm rest in the first place for the driver? The passengers may want soft arm rests.

From the old school of driving, I always keep both hands on the wheel, except when shifting gears. So the elbows are far from the arm rests anyway.

Yes I do see many drivers control the steering wheel with one hand or one finger. It's a cool looking habit, but unsafe for many obvious reasons. Thus a elbow is parked at the arm rest or hanging out of the window ledge. A cool relax posture. Candidly, I sometimes rest one hand on the stick; making me feel like an Indy driver.

Seriously, the prevailing thinkings by safety engineers is this. The hands should hold the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions for maximum countervailing control. Moreover, any other positions are dangerous, especially for guys.

Placing a hand at the 12 o'clock could result in smashing your face with your loose fist when the front airbag explodes at 300 km/hr (183 mph). Similarly, holding the wheel at 6 o'clock will result in your loose fist smashing your crotch area at 300 klic/hr. You will gain several octaves, if you survive the accident Hard arm rest is not an issue. my 2 cents.

 

Seriously, the prevailing thinkings by safety engineers is this. The hands should hold the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions for maximum countervailing control. Moreover, any other positions are dangerous, especially for guys.

Sounds like a good idea for in-town driving but there ain't no-way-in-hell I'm going to do that on a long trip. My arms and hands would go numb in no time flat that way. With that said..I WOULD like a softer arm rest because I do use it on highway driving.
BTW, it used to be the 10 and 2 position, if I recall my drivers education from a century ago.. No clue if that has changed or not to be honest with you.

Also, if your airbags deploy, it's almost a certainty that you'll get hurt by them no matter what. They are designed to help you survive, but they aren't going to do that and still be cushy feeling. Bank on the worlds largest headache and various other body bruises if you survive an accident w/deployment.

 

The only 'real' problem i ever had with the 'armrest' debacle is that i use the window-sill for my elbow while driving on the freeway.. not so fun when i take my arm down tho; every now and then i'll hit the funny bone on the door-lock-stick-thing.. a very technical term, i know. lol

 

Funny bone.

I'm sure that's in the Grey's Anatomy books!!

 

Randoo-N-CJ Yep they used to teach us the 10 & 2 o'clock positions in the distant past before the frontal airbag mandate. They now figure that we can do a two fisted punch in our own kisser in additional to the other lesser trauma upon steering wheel airbag deployment.

They said that the revised 3 & 9 o'clock is least self inflicting, by forcing our hands apart to the sides; maybe we'll slap the passenger's face instead

 

here, check out allpar.com, they have better shots of the new PATRIOT interior:
http://allpar.com/model/jeep/patriot.html