Have a question about a strange noise your patriot is making? Wondering what size tires fit? Below will be all these questions and answers we are trying to help owners get to the bottom of without searching through thousands of dead threads and provide WELL ANSWERED responses.
Please keep the arguments out of this thread, this is JUST for questions and answers. If you have a question that would fit good hear, please feel free to post it and once answered it will be added to the list.
Let's get started!
General Questions:
Q: How do I upload pictures to a post?
A: The easiest way is to create an account on photobucket, imgur, or flickr and upload pictures to it. They will provide you a link to copy and paste into the thread using the img tags, or press the "link image" and paste the link.
Q: I am experiencing a squeaking sound coming from the front of my patriot when I go over bumps, what could it be?
A: Check the front ball joints, the stock ball joints are a faulty point and tend to go out every 40,000 miles. Most users replace with a MOOG replacement part, and have much longer life. Heckler made a great write up on replacing the ball joints, HERE.
Q: What's the biggest size tire I can run STOCK?
A: 225/65/17 if you have the factory 17s, or 225/70/16 if you have the factory 16 are the biggest sizes you can go without any rub on suspension, and the wheel arches without any lift kit, or spacers.
Q: Where do I buy hood louvers for my patriot?
A: Rocky Road Outfitters currently sells hood louvers for our patriots, and pictures can be found in RossoRacer's build thread around page 12.
Q: How do I change my oil by myself?
A: Check out these tips on changing your oil, as well as directions HERE.
Q: How do I change my spark plugs by myself?
A: Check out these step by step directions on changing the sparkplugs HERE.
Q: How do I change my cabin air filter?
A: Check out these step by step directions with pictures for the cabin air filter, behind the glove box HERE.
Lifting Questions:
Q: What lift kits are available for purchasing?
A: Current 2 main lifts are offered for our patriots STU's Coil lift (2" spring lift) and RRO's spacer lift (2 1/8" spacer lift.
Q: What's the biggest size tire I can run WITH a lift on stock wheels?
A: Max lifted tire on stock rims with 1.25" spacer is 245/65-17 - without spacer we recommend not going wider than 225 due to the new suspension geometry with the lift.
Q: How do I go about doing the pinch weld mod my patriot?
A: Take a box cutter, cut off the plastic hump from the wheel well plastic, then take a good hammer and proceed to hit until pinch has been folded over. Optional: spray paint the pinch weld once folded to avoid any rusting spots from developing.
Q: I saw people with skidplates for offroading, where can I read about the installation process?
A: In this thread, you can see the discussion leading up to the install, and part numbers. The install begins around page 8 if you don't want to read through. Click here for the thread
Q: Do I need camber adjustment arms after lifting?
A: Various answers have been given for this question, but the general consensus is to purchase them for safe measures. Without the arms you run a risk of being unable to properly obtain an alignment which will lead to premature wear on the tires.
Q: Do I need an alignment after lifting my patriot?
A: YES, YES, YES. You need an alignment after any adjustment of the suspension.
Q: Do 15" rims fit? Will any from older Jeeps (XJ, TJ, etc.) work?
A: Yes! Quite a few do, check out these two topics for some more detailed information. HERE and HERE.
Q: Is there a way to add sway bar quick disconnects?
A: Of course! It's a jeep, so HERE you go!
Lowering Questions:
Q: How do I lower my patriot?
A: Currently, the easiest way to achieve about 2" of drop would be H&R's H&R's for sale at Tunerdepot. They can be found else where, just a place to start. Or, you can purchase a coilover setup for the Dodge Caliber SRT4 and spend some time making that work.
Q: Do I need camber adjustment arms after lowering?
A: YES. Without the arms you run a risk of being unable to properly obtain an alignment which will lead to premature wear on the tires. Our stock patriots do not handle lowering well, and camber arms should be purchased.
Q: Do I need an alignment after lowering my patriot?
A: YES, YES, YES. You need an alignment after any adjustment of the suspension.
Q: How can I get my patriot as low as Creation?
A: Creation is lowered on a set of custom modified BC coilovers and universal bags, adjustable camber arms, and lots of cutting and bending. If this doesn't sound fun for you, I'd suggest staying away. Creation made a response to his FAQ's in his build thread to address specific questions he gets often, Click here to find out.
Q: How do I bag my patriot?
A: Air Suspension Installation - Creation - Jeep Patriot Forums
Please keep the arguments out of this thread, this is JUST for questions and answers. If you have a question that would fit good hear, please feel free to post it and once answered it will be added to the list.
Let's get started!
General Questions:
Q: How do I upload pictures to a post?
A: The easiest way is to create an account on photobucket, imgur, or flickr and upload pictures to it. They will provide you a link to copy and paste into the thread using the img tags, or press the "link image" and paste the link.
Q: I am experiencing a squeaking sound coming from the front of my patriot when I go over bumps, what could it be?
A: Check the front ball joints, the stock ball joints are a faulty point and tend to go out every 40,000 miles. Most users replace with a MOOG replacement part, and have much longer life. Heckler made a great write up on replacing the ball joints, HERE.
Q: What's the biggest size tire I can run STOCK?
A: 225/65/17 if you have the factory 17s, or 225/70/16 if you have the factory 16 are the biggest sizes you can go without any rub on suspension, and the wheel arches without any lift kit, or spacers.
Q: Where do I buy hood louvers for my patriot?
A: Rocky Road Outfitters currently sells hood louvers for our patriots, and pictures can be found in RossoRacer's build thread around page 12.
Q: How do I change my oil by myself?
A: Check out these tips on changing your oil, as well as directions HERE.
Q: How do I change my spark plugs by myself?
A: Check out these step by step directions on changing the sparkplugs HERE.
Q: How do I change my cabin air filter?
A: Check out these step by step directions with pictures for the cabin air filter, behind the glove box HERE.
Lifting Questions:
Q: What lift kits are available for purchasing?
A: Current 2 main lifts are offered for our patriots STU's Coil lift (2" spring lift) and RRO's spacer lift (2 1/8" spacer lift.
Q: What's the biggest size tire I can run WITH a lift on stock wheels?
A: Max lifted tire on stock rims with 1.25" spacer is 245/65-17 - without spacer we recommend not going wider than 225 due to the new suspension geometry with the lift.
Q: How do I go about doing the pinch weld mod my patriot?
A: Take a box cutter, cut off the plastic hump from the wheel well plastic, then take a good hammer and proceed to hit until pinch has been folded over. Optional: spray paint the pinch weld once folded to avoid any rusting spots from developing.
Q: I saw people with skidplates for offroading, where can I read about the installation process?
A: In this thread, you can see the discussion leading up to the install, and part numbers. The install begins around page 8 if you don't want to read through. Click here for the thread
Q: Do I need camber adjustment arms after lifting?
A: Various answers have been given for this question, but the general consensus is to purchase them for safe measures. Without the arms you run a risk of being unable to properly obtain an alignment which will lead to premature wear on the tires.
Q: Do I need an alignment after lifting my patriot?
A: YES, YES, YES. You need an alignment after any adjustment of the suspension.
Q: Do 15" rims fit? Will any from older Jeeps (XJ, TJ, etc.) work?
A: Yes! Quite a few do, check out these two topics for some more detailed information. HERE and HERE.
Q: Is there a way to add sway bar quick disconnects?
A: Of course! It's a jeep, so HERE you go!
Lowering Questions:
Q: How do I lower my patriot?
A: Currently, the easiest way to achieve about 2" of drop would be H&R's H&R's for sale at Tunerdepot. They can be found else where, just a place to start. Or, you can purchase a coilover setup for the Dodge Caliber SRT4 and spend some time making that work.
Q: Do I need camber adjustment arms after lowering?
A: YES. Without the arms you run a risk of being unable to properly obtain an alignment which will lead to premature wear on the tires. Our stock patriots do not handle lowering well, and camber arms should be purchased.
Q: Do I need an alignment after lowering my patriot?
A: YES, YES, YES. You need an alignment after any adjustment of the suspension.
Q: How can I get my patriot as low as Creation?
A: Creation is lowered on a set of custom modified BC coilovers and universal bags, adjustable camber arms, and lots of cutting and bending. If this doesn't sound fun for you, I'd suggest staying away. Creation made a response to his FAQ's in his build thread to address specific questions he gets often, Click here to find out.
Q: How do I bag my patriot?
A: Air Suspension Installation - Creation - Jeep Patriot Forums
