Jeep Patriot Extreme???

[4Rescue]

*YES I ALREADY SEARCHED *

So I know that Scott got to put a first-run Patriot through it's paces and was suprised to hear how well it did even lacking a low-range box. However I was just perusing through one of the millions of truck mags we have in my *ahem* reading room, and I came across a run down of all the Mopar Skunkworks Trucks that they had on hand @ easter Jeep Safari: The Nukaizer :droo: , Immortal :drool: , Trail Boss, Ram-Runner, and a JK Unlimited Rubi/Camp-trailer combo (pretty cool being a factory built option that sounds right up this places alley for sure) But the one that really intreagued me was:

The Patriot Extreme:

Didn't excatly say if it had a full-on 4wd System with low Range, but it had some Mini-BFG KM2's(225/75 R16 - Didin't know they made them this small... cool) and armor plus some added cround clearence making it look like a pretty fun little rig and certainly a really fun truck to rip around on Fire-roads or the odd rally course

SO anyone know anymore about this little beauty???

Cheers

Dave

 

[troy]

I read online that it uses the 16" MOAB wheels, which I presume are from a TJ. It also has a rocky road outfitters 2" lift (spacers?). Rock rails and a couple skids.

I saw no mention of a low-range t-case, but take a listen to some of the videos on youtube under "Jeep patriot extreme", and I think it is pretty safe to say it does not have low range by the sound of the engine. i could be wrong.

Sounds like a pretty easy to duplicate project.

 

[Scott Brady]

I drove it in Moab and enjoyed it. The Patriot can be appreciated if you understand what it is intended to do.

Here are a few images I took along the way.

 

[Mr. D]

cool looking rig

 

[jingram]

Dave,

I too was just doing the same thing, lol! Like Scott said, cool little rigs if you understand their limitations. I was just looking at one as a DD because of the decent gas mileage and the capability. However, I decided to back off from it for a few reasons.

Biggest gripe owners have is the ball joints. Lots of cases on the Patriot boards about street driven vehicles with 20,30,40k miles. I guess the ball joints are integrated into the lower control arms from what I have gathered and Jeep is charging $800-$1K a pop to get these replaced if out of warranty. A LOT of people are really pissed about it. Funny as I thought the JK was the only one were people were screaming bloody murder about terrible OE ball joints. Moog finally just came out with a replacement set for the Patriot, but on street driven vehicles with IFS this should NOT be an issue with 30k-40k on the clock.

Another big complaint is severe leaking through the sunroof and maybe rack?

Finally, as I specced one out... the only way to get FD II which is their "trail rated" more offroad oriented package was to spec it with a CVT. More of a manual guy myself, regardless of the well known benefits of a slush box.

Cheers!
Jack

 

[bsautry]

These are great little vehicles. My wife has one as a DD and we absolutley love it. I know of two that did the Jeep Jamboree in Crandon WI. They both did the "Fox" trail (rated 2-4) and performed as good as their bigger brothers, the Grand Cherokees. Both did have 4wd with low gear. With a small lift, 2" and some armor they do make a great alternative for overlanding.

My wife is refusing my attempts to modifiy it. She wants me to work on the JK.

 

[4Rescue]

Cool stuff. It sure looked like a fun little rig. Glad so see that Jeep is building fun vehicles in several different segments. Looking @ your review of the regular version though Scott, one gets the feeling this little bugger could do alot more and really be one hell of a "sleeper" to boot eh. I'm not saying it could replace the JK Rubi. but I get the impression it can do alot more then some would expect eh

CHeers

DAve

 

[Xodius]

By any chance do you know what the backspacing is on those rims? Are they like the older TJs 16x8 with 4.5 BS?

 

[tommudd]

From everything I was able to read yes those are the "now older style" Rubicon Moabs
16X8 with 5 inches of backspacing

 

[El_Diablo]

we've been doing patriot ball joints with as little as 10-15k miles, just did one this morning actually and did one with 20k miles last week, both sides actually

i would never buy one....

 

[winkosmosis]

Why do the ball joints suck?? What actually happens to them?

 

[Scoob]

Why do the ball joints suck?? What actually happens to them?

They must get loose I'm sure. I see it alot on Chrysler products, not just the Patriot. Have had 3 2010 Grand Caravans come in with under 10,000 miles on them and the ball joints practically falling out.

 

[ihatemybike]

Liberty ball joints have also been known to fail prematurely. My wife's have been upgraded to aftermarket upper A-arms with Moog ball joints and New Moog lower ball joints and get greased every oil change. Wonder who Chrysler is farming the ball joints out to?