What to look for when buying a ZJ???

[xjy173]

Originally Posted by Rafe

Yes, it is front wheel drive (in 2wd mode), but I was thinking of some simpler modifications, specifically, adding a winch plate, some underbody protection, probably a little lift & maybe a brushguard.

I've heard and seen differing things about the Patriot. Jp magazine says that they're not made for off road but I see Jeep commercials with Patriots driving off road. I've yet to see any aftermarket accessories avertised in any 4x4 magazines.

Anyway, Rafe, to my knowledge you're the first Patriot owner here;
it is a very new Jeep. I didn't know their designation is MK until you mentioned it.

Thank you. Actually, MK is the designation for both the Patriot & the Compass, but the Compass does not have the Trail Rated Certification.

I have only taken mine off-road on some light trails so far, so I can't really say from experience, yet. It is Trail Rated, though so this is what Jeep has to say about it...

"We test Jeep® 4x4s on the toughest trails in the world to prove one thing: They can take whatever you dish out. The Trail Rated® badge means that your Jeep 4x4 has been designed to perform in five categories of off-road conditions: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording.

Traction in 4x4 is equivalent to grip on Asphalt. Trail Rated® traction helps you stay in control on untamed terrain, slippery (wet, mud, snow) conditions, and on steep grades.

Don't drag your belly through the mud—just clear nasty logs, rocks, and
uneven ground without sustaining undercarriage damage. Jeep® Trail Rated® 4x4s feature optimized approach, departure, and breakover angles to keep you in the clear.

Athletic. Agile. Trail Rated®. Jeep® 4x4s have the footwork to navigate narrow gaps, dodge emergency situations and avoid cosmetic damage to underbody sills thanks to precision steering and optimized wheelbases. Even gazelles don't move like this.

A Trail Rated® suspension is limber like a gymnast. How exactly? Flexibility is the key to good articulation. The more a wheel can travel, or flex, the better it can maintain contact with terra firma and provide the traction needed to cross an array of obstacles.

Hit that riverbed with confidence. Trail Rated® Jeep® 4x4s feature additional electrical and body sealing, along with a high air intake location for optimum water fording capability. Note: Do not attempt water fording unless depth is known to be less than 19 inches."

Jeep - 4x4 Basics - Trail-Rated Certification - 4WD SUVs

As for modifications, it looks like I'll have to do a bit of measuring & fabrication on my own, but hey! that's part of the fun, right?

[xjy173]

The "Freedom Drive ll" that the "Trail Rated" Patriot has reminds me of the first generation Select Trac systems on the early XJs. The Freedom Drive has an automatic 4wd hi range (so to speak); it shifts from FWD to 4wd depending on traction conditions without driver input. Then you can lock it in 4wd "low" with the reduction giving it the 19:1 ratio. This mode is more like my XJ's Command Trac 4wd hi range, only with about twice the reduction.

Not sure about this but I think the Patriot would be the first Jeep model to have an independent rear suspension as well as an independent front that would qualify as "Trail Rated". That would make it behave differently than any other off road Jeep, either solid axled or front independent/rear solid.

Can you notice the difference between the Patriot and the Scrambler suspensions??