Just about to purchase; and first test drive notes.

[JonMN]

Greetings from Minnesota! After lurking about and reading a LOT of threads, I am just about to purchase a Gladiator. A local dealer has a decent price on a Sarge Green Mojave, and is also willing to give me a good price on my trade. So barring anything unusual coming up, I'm pretty excited.

Living in the country, we need a truck on hand and need to be able to get through some serious snow. But we also have a nice utility trailer, so bed size is not a concern at all.

As with most of my purchases, color is one of the hardest choices. I did not want a bright truck but something unique. Little by little Sarge Green grew on me. It helps that the one I am looking at has a two tone black/light olive green interior that goes great with Sarge.

This was my first chance to drive one too. After reading reviews I was expecting a loud, rough, rattle trap of a vehicle. I might have bought it anyway! But the Mojave was quiet, and took our rather crappy roads in stride. Steering was a bit looser than I am used to, but I can adjust with no problem. (on my trade-in I can adjust the steering feel, so I'm kind of spoiled.)

There might have been a bit of air noise between the windshield and the the hard Freedom Top. Pretty faint, and I was actually expecting more. But is this kind of common? In the past I have been able to remedy this with a bit of rubber dressing or a little extra foam. Not worried, but interested in your experience.

Already been searching for threads on tonneau bed covers and side steps, so I'm sure I will be back with questions.

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[PuddleJumper]

hope you enjoy it man, I love my Mojave. You can hide the wind noise (especially with my soft top) by just cranking up that Alpine speaker system ?. You can uh, jump it too. Just saying.

 

[JonMN]

hope you enjoy it man, I love my Mojave. You can hide the wind noise (especially with my soft top) by just cranking up that Alpine speaker system ?. You can uh, jump it too. Just saying.

Thanks! I agree-- Robin Trower or SRV can handle just about any wind noise.

 

[GWolgamott]

Is it noisy? a lil bit / Does it eat gas? yeah a bit / Ride rough...meh not really and the mojave less so I've heard. But I can drive rather fast down a two-track and not lose control... so its fun.

Only thing I wish I had done was to have found me a max tow version, but I test drove it in middle of summer with the top off. That suckered me in right there or rather it helped my wife not question me buying it. That said really no complaints, it's been my favorite vehicle I've owned.

 

[JonMN]

^^^ Thanks! This will be my first Jeep, but I've had the Jeep itch since I was a kid. Gladiator lets me scratch the Jeep itch and serve as a truck at the same time.

 

[Aj58]

^^^ Thanks! This will be my first Jeep, but I've had the Jeep itch since I was a kid. Gladiator lets me scratch the Jeep itch and serve as a truck at the same time.

Same exact scenario for me when I picked mine up a couple months back.

I still smile like a little kid when I drive it. I have become addicted to Facebook market.

Tonneau covers and rock rails have been all over the marketplaces by me for a fraction of the cost.

 

[Gvsukids]

There might have been a bit of air noise between the windshield and the the hard Freedom Top. Pretty faint, and I was actually expecting more. But is this kind of common? In the past I have been able to remedy this with a bit of rubber dressing or a little extra foam. Not worried, but interested in your experience.

Could be a fitment issue. Shouldn't be.

 

[Hunter#1]

I leased a 2023 Glad with the freedom package. I' loving this truck. So far on a 2 hr trip I got 25 mpg. Around town, about 17 mpg. It's better than my 2012 Jeep liberty. Noise, well it's a Jeep. Like I said , I love it. I know it will make a great truck for surf fishing on the beach. I just hope I get good service out of it. If I like it at the end of the lease, I'll buy it.

 

[AmishMike]

Try popping the panels up/off and reinstalling them. Might be all it takes. Also headliner like HotHeads really cut down on road noise.
Sarge looks amazing with the tan tonneau or cap. BTW

 

[Lunentucker]

If I were buying a new Mojave and planned on running it at stock height, the FIRST thing I would do is throw a set of these on it to give it a touch more positive caster.
Cheap and easy way to to improve the handling right out of the gate!

Genuine Mopar Front Lower Control Arm - 68322798AA | All Mopar Parts

 

[ttn333]

Don't worry, the rattle will come. I just turn up the volume

 

[MikeSalt]

I leased a 2023 Glad with the freedom package. I' loving this truck. So far on a 2 hr trip I got 25 mpg. Around town, about 17 mpg. It's better than my 2012 Jeep liberty. Noise, well it's a Jeep. Like I said , I love it. I know it will make a great truck for surf fishing on the beach. I just hope I get good service out of it. If I like it at the end of the lease, I'll buy it.

I’m surf fishing 3-4 times a week and the Mojave is so much easier hauling the surf cart and rods (Not to mention grandkids) than my former wrangler. Just remember to carry your emergency rod/reel with you for all those wonderful lakes up there.

 

[JonMN]

Thanks all-it's home! Having a blast.
(Added Westin HDX Xtreme for the step and a bit of road spray control.)

 

[Jobofly]

If I were buying a new Mojave and planned on running it at stock height, the FIRST thing I would do is throw a set of these on it to give it a touch more positive caster.
Cheap and easy way to to improve the handling right out of the gate!

Genuine Mopar Front Lower Control Arm - 68322798AA | All Mopar Parts

What do these do?

 

[Jobofly]

Thanks all-it's home! Having a blast.
(Added Westin HDX Xtreme for the step and a bit of road spray control.)

Looks sweet!! Congrats! I love my Mojave

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