Build Thread: 2015 Jeep Patriot backcountry explorer

[kojackJKU]

Since my last post about my Patriot was not really a build thread, I think I will start one here now.

Back story. Bought the patriot to get rid of the terrible harley davidson cvo road glide. Best decision EVER! We have 18,000 on the pat now and love it.

As she sits right now, she's all stock as I had to pay for some repairs to other vehicles first, sell some stuff and yada yada yada.

I am going to my tire/crack dealer today to order some new 1 1/4" wheel spacers for it. and to trade in my stock JK wheels and winters for a set of steelies and toyo garrits for my micra.

I test fit my power cooler, camping gear, water container and stove and it fit in the back better than in the JK. Meaning the tighter cargo area meant the water container has not were to fall etc. We are going to get a sylvainsport go easy and roof rack for carrying extra gear and supplies for extended trips. Big thing now is finding dash mounts for my phone and tablet.

Lots more to come soon. FINALLY!

 

[kojackJKU]

First item ordered. I just ordered a new Curt Class 3 hitch for the pat. I did not "NEED" a class 3 other than the few accessories I already have and want to add to the hitch are all 2" receiver so I had to get that one. Should be here in 2 wks. Going to order a hitchgate to carry the spare tire etc so I can use the spare tire well for more storage for trail gear I have from my JK.

 

[kojackJKU]

First item ordered. I just ordered a new Curt Class 3 hitch for the pat. I did not "NEED" a class 3 other than the few accessories I already have and want to add to the hitch are all 2" receiver so I had to get that one. Should be here in 2 wks. Going to order a hitchgate to carry the spare tire etc so I can use the spare tire well for more storage for trail gear I have from my JK.

 

[RubiconGeoff]

How about some "before" pics so we have a baseline as you start your build?

 

[kojackJKU]

Will do....I have a couple posted in the other thread. But will pop a couple up now.

 

[kojackJKU]

Here a couple of shots. More as I progress! I just realized I have no recent shots of it, as I thought I did. I will get a few more soon.

The day after we bought it!



And setup for winter with steelies and studded cooper winter tires!

 

[kojackJKU]

On the hunt now for a FDII patriot in the scrap yards around here....get the skids and tow hooks of one. I am sure of all the pats around here, a few FDIIs are in the scrap yards. Save a few bucks, and recycle at the same time. Not sure what else I can salvage from them. Roof rack cross bars, etc. Skid plates will be required for where we go for sure. This still has to go where I used to put my JK! ha ha.

 

[ihatemybike]

Will be following this.

We bought a 2016 Patriot Sport earlier this year. Had to get the ugly steel 16" wheel off ASAP. It's now on a set of the 16" Mamba clones of the Jeep Moab wheels with Cooper Discoverer A/T3 225/70R16 tires.

 

[AdventureHare]

I was just looking the SylvanSport Go again recently. I love the transformer/versatility it offers. Although, I'm a little put off by the MSRP. From a local dealer, I'm sure it can be purchased for less.

Glad to see it's beginning to evolve.

 

[kojackJKU]

yeah, long time in the making since I had my jk I was adding to all the time. I am looking at becomeing a dealer for the sylviansport for the island. I can probably move a few per year for sure, plus one for ourselves as a demo.

 

[kojackJKU]

Well super pleased with the little pat now. We usually used my JK for road trips because of the extra space, and lighting. Went and picked up my son at university for midterm break. Its 430 kms one way. The first time we took the pat to st john's I had to stop about 70kms away for gas. Granted the rig had like 250 kms on it. Now it has almost 30k on it and did the same run yesterday, travelling at 65mph, I did the 430km run and had over 1/4 of a tank left when I got there. Thats pretty damn good. My jk travelling the same speed would have the gas light come on at the same spot 70km away. Plus the size of the tank on the JK was much larger than the patriot. Totally made the right call keeping the pat. My old CVT equipped FDII 2010 pat could not even make it to the fill up spot 70kms away, I had to stop earlier to get gas in that one.

Anyone looking for a patriot, get the FD1 six speed auto. Its miles ahead in every way than the FDII CVT based rig. Then buy the tow hooks and skid plates. The rest of the FDII package really is'nt needed for a patriot.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Nice! :beer:

 

[kojackJKU]

Thanks, I am liking driving this more than the JK actually. Once I get the lift, roof rack, etc on it, I think it will be perfect for exploring Newfoundland. Since we don't rock crawl, mud run, or have any sand. The first thing I need to get however is some aux. lighting. I have to order the RRO front bumper guard and light mount. I drove 4 hrs in the dark on the way back the other day. The Hella headlights are much better than stock and pop a beam down the road pretty good but I am used to my hella 500s hid, and they were BRIGHT!

 

[kojackJKU]

Was doing some research last night and found that Monroe makes OEspectrum struts for the pat. These are actually revised sensi trac twin tube shocks, and were sold along side of the sensitrac. But after many reports of the OEspectrum shocks performing better than the sensi tracs, they discontinued them. Awesome. Can't wait to bolt them onto the pat. Should provide a much improved ride over stock. Lifetime warranty is deadly too!