I didn't have a need to do it but your understanding is spot on.

 

I cut mine, then used a hammer to fold it back.

 

I'm lost as to what that is a picture of. I'm sure it's the pinch weld but I can't tell what's what from the photo. Can someone that doesn't have the mod take a picture of the pinch weld and point an arrow to it? (I promise I'm not dumb, I just don't have my patriot yet)

 

there is a thread on this,with pics.
fom many members,including myself.

 

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112497&highlight=pinch+weld+mod

 

Guess I'm not following close enough or I've missed something: What/where is a "pinch-weld" and why does it need to be modified?

 

If you look in the front wheel wells of your Patriot, you'll see a tall, vertical, bumped-out section of the black plastic fender liner that sticks out toward the tread of the tire; the pinch weld is under there. It's a point where two pieces of sheet metal were pinched together and spot-welded during the manufacture process.

Not sure if cutting it off affects the integrity of the chassis, but folding it over should be fine.

If you go with overly large tires or mess with the wheel offset, the tire can sometimes contact the pinch weld when the suspension is compressed or the wheels are turned far enough, and, well steel vs rubber... you know how that ends.

 

Apparently my search technique is not quite up to par, thanks for the link.