Sponsored

Need your feedback, Manual or Auto, Rubicon or Mojave.

BearFootSam

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Oct 12, 2022
Threads
9
Messages
674
Reaction score
950
Location
PNW
Vehicle(s)
22' Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Fed
I went automatic because I'm getting older (and so are my KNEES) and I tow, and backing a trailer and parking a trailer in really tight spots, turning one around, just not so easy with the high gear of reverse in a stick. Too much clutch work for me.
So as much as I like a manual - it just doesn't work for me.
You could have never turned and parked my car hauler like I did yesterday with a stick without putting a couple thousand miles of wear on the clutch and taking about 2 years off my knee's life.
These autos are fantastic transmissions.
But I only put out my reasoning, the rest is up to the prospective buyer.
+1 on the quality of the auto.

I vastly prefer a manual across the board but the 8HP45 is about the best automatic you can buy. I ended up going with it for the increased towing capacity and don't regret it. Depending on how and where you drive having 8 forward gears really allows the truck to stay in its sweet spot for torque or efficiency.
Sponsored

 

dayusmc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2023
Threads
60
Messages
969
Reaction score
698
Location
Jersey Shore
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gobi Mojave & 2022 JLU High-Tide
Occupation
Retired Marine
I had a 2020 Gobi Slirt High Altitude, first jeep I ever owned. After I bought it I joined this forum (man that is costing me a lot of money). I started reading and researching... Then I was like Dam I should have bought a Mojave, mostly after I saw pictures of Kyle10's Mojave. Unfortunately about 9 months after I bought my Sport, I totaled it. The insurance gave me 15k less than I paid for it and I only put 7k miles on it. But 2 days after I crashed it, I was like let me start looking for another Gobi gladiator. That day I found a fully loaded, even the front trail cam 2020 Gobi Mojave and bought it. I actually don't care about loosing the 15k because I love the Mojave so much more. I like the taller hood and cowl, I think it makes it look meaner.
I would never buy a Gladiator again unless it was a fully loaded Auto Mojave - unless the came out with a v8 Gladiator that wasn't available in a Mojave. I would buy the v8 auto gladiator!
Just my $0.02, not really worth much. But I am actually glad I totalled my Sport because I have the Mojave now!!!
 

AstroZombie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Arthur
Joined
Aug 18, 2021
Threads
17
Messages
1,508
Reaction score
1,680
Location
Poway, CA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Rubicon, '04 Tacoma PreRunner
Occupation
Tech Support
judging by teh title this will be a can of worms and you will probably still be scratching your head. I love manual transmissions but so glad i went automatic and rubicon was all i ever wanted as it suited my playground.
 

Scott L

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Feb 16, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
314
Reaction score
527
Location
Strasburg VA
Vehicle(s)
21 Gladiator Rubicon Gecko
Occupation
Depends who you ask
I’ll go ahead and weigh in here. First off I have a Rubicon and love it for what I want and needed. That being said I’d suggest Mojave. It would be cheaper to add a front locker and swaybar disconnect to a Mojave than it is to make a Rubicon into a desert high speed machine. The cast iron knuckles and frame reinforcements are pretty significant. Meh for the orange bits but they can be taken off and painted. Also gotta say the auto in this thing is sweet.
 

Sponsored

AleYeah

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Aug 8, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
93
Reaction score
97
Location
Greenville, SC
Vehicle(s)
2014 JKU Sport stick, 1976 VW poptop stick, 2017 Ram Express 5.7 auto
I'd love to assume, but, ya know...

So 2024 MTs are being built. They do come out of the factory with the clutch "fix" that is being rolled out to the earlier models... right?
 
OP
OP

shootify

Active Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Mar 4, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
38
Reaction score
28
Location
USA
Vehicle(s)
gladiator rubicon
Ok, so far these two Gladiators 2022 have been reserved. I am going to test drive the Rubicon in a few days, and the Mojave after. I like them both :) The Mojave seems to be running 35s,
Jeep Gladiator Need your feedback, Manual or Auto, Rubicon or Mojave. Selection_999(109)


Jeep Gladiator Need your feedback, Manual or Auto, Rubicon or Mojave. Selection_999(107)

One question though,
what can cause this in the tail light? shown in the Mojave
Jeep Gladiator Need your feedback, Manual or Auto, Rubicon or Mojave. Selection_999(112)

thanks
 

ShadowsPapa

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Threads
247
Messages
40,445
Reaction score
53,876
Location
Runnells, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
'25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
Occupation
Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
Vehicle Showcase
3
Ok, so far these two Gladiators 2022 have been reserved. I am going to test drive the Rubicon in a few days, and the Mojave after. I like them both :) The Mojave seems to be running 35s,
Selection_999(109).jpg


Selection_999(107).jpg

One question though,
what can cause this in the tail light? shown in the Mojave
Selection_999(112).jpg

thanks
Sort of looks like reflections of the lights in that room.
 

Lunentucker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2022
Threads
247
Messages
5,873
Reaction score
15,379
Location
Virginia
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
Occupation
People Work?
Ok, so far these two Gladiators 2022 have been reserved. I am going to test drive the Rubicon in a few days, and the Mojave after. I like them both :) The Mojave seems to be running 35s,
Selection_999(109).jpg


Selection_999(107).jpg

One question though,
what can cause this in the tail light? shown in the Mojave
Selection_999(112).jpg

thanks
You can plug the VIN in for each one here and get the full build sheet.
Much more detailed than the window sticker.
Build Sheet by VIN

You can also see the original window sticker here.
Just plug in any VIN for the one already displayed.
https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=1C3CCCCG8GN100833
 

ShadowsPapa

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Threads
247
Messages
40,445
Reaction score
53,876
Location
Runnells, Iowa
Vehicle(s)
'25 JTMX, '23 JLU 4xe, '82 SX4, '73 Javelin
Occupation
Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
Vehicle Showcase
3
You can plug the VIN in for each one here and get the full build sheet.
Much more detailed than the window sticker.
Build Sheet by VIN

You can also see the original window sticker here.
Just plug in any VIN for the one already displayed.
https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=1C3CCCCG8GN100833
Yeah, I'd want a build sheet before I'd trust any online seller........... they are into selling massive numbers and little is spent knowing what they are even selling.
they get them in, wash them up, little else is done - worse than a dealer, IMO.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP

shootify

Active Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Mar 4, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
38
Reaction score
28
Location
USA
Vehicle(s)
gladiator rubicon
thanks for the links....
looks like they are pretty close.
Jeep Gladiator Need your feedback, Manual or Auto, Rubicon or Mojave. ksnip_20240307-210551


Jeep Gladiator Need your feedback, Manual or Auto, Rubicon or Mojave. ksnip_20240307-213132
 

RunTheRace

Well-Known Member
First Name
Larry
Joined
Nov 23, 2023
Threads
0
Messages
57
Reaction score
94
Location
Western NC (Davie County)
Website
www.navigators.org
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Mojave
Occupation
Retired Military AV8R; Retired Airline A&P; Retired FAA ASI
Vehicle Showcase
1
I am about to buy a Gladiator Rubicon 2022 with a manual transmission which I have reserved.
The reason I am going manual is that I am old school and like and enjoy more driving manual than auto, anyways, there are two things i am debating with, right now.
1- I know there is a recall for the clutch on this truck and looks like still after all this time, there is no fix or expected date. Does anyone here know something about this?
2- I just found that the Mojave trim has a better frame (reinforced), suspension, and so. Now I am debating between these two, Rubicon and Mojave, (i dont have plans of doing rock crawling and so.) but I am not able to find a manual transmission Mojave close by, so I am starting to think I should get the AUTO in the Mojave, please share your thoughts.

thanks a lot.
I researched for several months and decided on the Mojave. I'm not planning on investing thousands in lifting, new wheels, wider tires, etc. If that's your plan, go with a basic, like a Sport edition (per my research) and you'll pay less up front for the JT, & you can use the extra cash for the upgrades. I plan to replace my stock Falken M/T 33s with 35s (undecided on brand) once these stock tires are worn down, and I'll then utilize my stock 17–Inch x 7.5–Inch Low–Gloss Black Polished Wheels, which will handle the 35x11.50x17 tires without the need for any additional lift (& without fender or frame scrubbing @ full articulation). I'm not interested in lots of rock crawlin', or I'd have chosen the Rubi.
My2cents.
 

shredX

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Feb 20, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
75
Reaction score
123
Location
Reno, NV
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
I’ve owned both the Mojave and the Rubicon. If you don’t need the deeper transfer case or front locker definitely go with the Mojave.
I ended up trading my Mojave in for the Rubicon because initially, I thought I wasn’t gonna get back into rock crawling, but I did… ended up with Rubicon so I could lift it, utilize the T-case and the front locker.

As far as the manual versus auto, I test drove a manual, and thought it was trash. In comparison, the auto is so good. Ultimately, the manual was not a good option anyway because we tow a boat.
 
OP
OP

shootify

Active Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Mar 4, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
38
Reaction score
28
Location
USA
Vehicle(s)
gladiator rubicon
I’ve owned both the Mojave and the Rubicon. If you don’t need the deeper transfer case or front locker definitely go with the Mojave.
I ended up trading my Mojave in for the Rubicon because initially, I thought I wasn’t gonna get back into rock crawling, but I did… ended up with Rubicon so I could lift it, utilize the T-case and the front locker.

As far as the manual versus auto, I test drove a manual, and thought it was trash. In comparison, the auto is so good. Ultimately, the manual was not a good option anyway because we tow a boat.
That is another factor, I always keep my car stock, until the tires wear out. then maybe I can just go with 35. It looks like the Mojave is the better option as it's a little bit taller than the Rubicon, besides the one Mojave I have in the list has already 35s on it.
 

WILDHOBO

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Sep 24, 2021
Threads
73
Messages
11,677
Reaction score
17,775
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Network Engineer
Vehicle Showcase
1
Thanks for the replies, I going to test drive the Rubicon with manual and Mojave with auto.
My plan with the Rubicon is just to keep stock as needed., maybe when is time to replace tires, I will go with 35 with no lift, same as for the Mojave.
If that’s the case, you will want the Mojave. Night and day driving experience.
Sponsored

 
 







Top