I read this and reread this. It cleared up some questions I had and has made me want to test drive it all the more.

I wonder at what point is the snow considered "deeper" for the FDI...

I am sure that the only one I will look at is the FDII. I am very interested. Thanks for posting it.

 

Just remember FDII is currently only available with the CVT. I would be getting my Patriot with FDII if it came with the 5-spd but since it doesn't, FDI will have to do

 

yeah i'm gonna probably get the FDI for the 5speed. i miss driving a stick so much. i'll get a lift kit and all the other accessories when they make em.

 

I got told this and I do not know if it is correct but the 1 inch extra is due to the tires and not a lift kit being installed. if you ordered the FDI with the OWL17" ties you would have the same setup.

The big difference was the air filtration system skid plates tow hooks and hill decent and changes to the esp program and of course the lower gearing in the CVT

the skid plates and air system were options when ordering....

this was from a sales guy who owned a pat and seems very into his jeeps we had a wonderful conversation and at no time did I feel the sales guy doublespeek......he seemed a real enthusiast

 

I think the height difference due to tires has thoroughly been relegated to the myth category. The FDII has 1 inch taller springs. This is not only specified in the manual but a fellow that works at the factory confirmed this and that the entire rear assembly is different between the FDI and FDII.

 

I am confused.

My Patriot window sticker says CVT II... which is the same as FDII, right?
So why don't I have a "trail rated" badge?

 

Good question - perhaps it is a Top Secret Homeland Security special? Shhhh! Don't let anyone know!

Interesting - did you happen to get skid plates, tow hooks, and other goodies that come with the FDII? If so, perhaps they forgot the badge or they made a mistake with the build.

 

I think in order to get the trail rated badge you need to get the freedom drive II off road package with the skid plates, tow hooks, filtration system, etc... This is IN ADDITION to the CVT2L package.

 

Trail Rated Badge

In order to get the Trail Rated Badge you have to purchase the FDII Package which includes:
-Air Filter
-OWL 215/65/17 Tires
-Skid Plates
-Tow Hooks
-More Sealant on Doors
-19:1 Low Range
-ESP/ABS Alterations
-Hill Decent Control
-Bracing on the rear suspension
-Stiffer coil springs on suspension
-Fog Lights
The tires alone lift the Jeep about 1/2 inch and the stiffer springs the other 1/2 inch.

 

My truck has a 6 spd manual tranny and the car we traded in on this Jeep had a 6 spd manual as well. I will take the FDII and give my leg a rest for a while. Of the 5 Jeeps I have owned 2 were manual and 3 have been autos. All have been great in the mud and I expect this one will be just fine once I get it to a mud hole.

 

Jeep Patriot newbie...

Wonder if you put the CVT2 FDI tires (smaller) on the FDII Trail Rated model...it would lower it half an inch and have the potential for better on road mpg's? Or is it all in the CVT2Lgearing?

I tend to have 2 sets of tires, so I couldn't help but wonder!

 

Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group for 2008

Freedom Drive II Off-Road Group for 2008
Package includes >>
• 4-Wheel Drive Off-Road Mode
• 140-Ampere Alternator
• Hill Descent Control
• Brake Lock Differential
• Height-Adjustable Driver's Seat
• Passenger Assist Handles
• Air Filtering
• Fog Lamps
• "Trail Rated" Badge
• Engine Oil Cooler
• Full-Size Spare Tire
• P215/65R17 Outline White Letter All Terrain Tires
• 17" x 6.5" Aluminum Wheels
• Tow Hooks
• Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
• Transmission/Engine Oil Pan Skid Plate

 

after driving the CVT I ordered a 5-spd, so no FDII for me, i'll make do somehow

This truck is slow.... Of course I traded a Mustang for it. that might be the problem.

 

Is it hard to pitpoint a Patriot model with VIN number ?

 

I wonder if you can put a FDII brain in the FDI.not to sound like a fool but I tried to see if there were any difference in part #'s for tranny,axle and transfer case and I did not see any.Is it the CVT that gives it the lower gear ratio since it is not like a regular transmission.Just confused

 

From previous research, there are different part numbers for the rear drive unit and the rear drive electric clutch, as well as a CVT2 vs CVT2L (for low range). It could be the CVT2L just has a different ring and pinion, but if so, it's gonna be matched to the rear drive unit.

 

New guy looking at Patriots - what is the easiest way to tell if a used Patriot if FD1 vs FD2? Thanks!

 

FDII has tow hooks, and the badge on the front drivers side fender, although those can be bought and added later.

The thing I'd look for is on the shifter, the FDII has a L gear setting, and beside the L on the shifter in white letters is "Off Road".

You should be able to check the VIN to know for sure.

 

Thanks for the response - the jeep in question doesn't have tow hooks or a badge on the fender, it DOES have a "L" gear setting but it doesn't state "off road" by it. Thus it must be a FDI? Thanks

 

If it has 'L' but nothing else, it must be a 2007 model. In 2007, the FDI's had the 'L' position instead of the slap-stick shift. But it didn't have the lower gearing range.

 

From what some of the FDII guys say, the 19:1 crawl rate is due entirely to the rear (and presumably front) axle ratios. The FDI has a @6.5:1 and the FDII an @8.5:1. The (L) position on the shifter locks the CVT into the lowest ratio on the trans and activates the other off-road features. There has been quite alot of debate on this subject, but this explanation seems to me to be the most logical.

 

From what some of the FDII guys say, the 19:1 crawl rate is due entirely to the rear (and presumably front) axle ratios. The FDI has a @6.5:1 and the FDII an @8.5:1

Sorry for the thread resurrection, but if the above is true and my math is correct, it would take a 36.5" tall tire to bring the 8.5-1 back down to 6.5-1. Good luck with that!

 

I was just curious, are aftermarket skid plates available for the FDI? My 2012 riot has the 17" wheels and I'm upgrading to cooper AT/3 next month. But I'd like to add a few goodies to it. I take it out in the mud and easier trails and it handles amazingly now.

Thanks!

 

As far as I know there are no aftermarket skids available for Patriot. You can buy Mopar skids that come with FDII package and install them on FDI. A few people have done it.


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I have aquestion. When I lock the t handle and I am reducing speed under 50 km per hour without using break ,is the 50/50 helping the pat in reducing speed or it goes to normal mode because it is not asking for torque? I could not find information about that. I need to know if my pat is like the other 4x4 I had before which I could reduce speed and actually break with the transmission.

 

I have aquestion. When I lock the t handle and I am reducing speed under 50 km per hour without using break ,is the 50/50 helping the pat in reducing speed or it goes to normal mode because it is not asking for torque? I could not find information about that. I need to know if my pat is like the other 4x4 I had before which I could reduce speed and actually break with the transmission. I have a 2015 fredom drive I 6 speed automatic canadian patriot high altitude

 

I don't see how this could help with braking--unless you have extremely slippery conditions. It's not like down-shifting a manual. All 4x4 lock does is an equal distribution of power: 50 % in both front and rear axles. With the "standard" AWD mode the Patriot is in --full time-- you will get power to the rear axle as needed for traction. The only time to use 4x4 lock is when on a rough off-road situation, or in heavy snow with chains, in my humble opinion...

 

Thanks. I though i Could help reducing speed with the 50/50 lock and using the stick system, I mean reducing speed with my 6 speed automatic transmission. But I am afraid that is not possible because only the front axle should work at that time. Thanks

 

in 4x4 engine brake is on 4 wheels, best with diesel and manual shift.
IMHO, could be useful on slippery descents, to avoid rear swing.
No use on dry or good pavement.