Thinking of getting a Gladiator. Sport or Mojave?

[joeym7]

Use to have a Wrangler but had to trade it in to get a more family vehicle for road trips. Loved the coolness, the ruggness, and everything that came with the Wrangler (outside of road noise on highway, roughness on long trips, etc).

However, my wife now has a 3 row SUV for the family with all the bells and whistles and I am in the market again.

Since I don't need a top of the line truck with all of the coolest technology, I am looking at a Gladiator. I want the bed for utility and towing. This is mainly going to be a utility vehicle, not for road trips, but just there for when we need it.

My question is should I just go Sport S and build how I want it or just straight go to Mojave because I love how it looks and the upgraded suspension, tries, seats, etc.

I love the idea of starting from scratch and building one how I want it but I am unsure if it is worth it ($$$$, warranty, etc)

Anyone have experience or advice on this?

Thanks

If you plan to do your own upgrades to suspension and what not, get the Sport. If not get the Mojave....I am in the latter camp, got mine a year ago and couldn't be more happy with it...It is ready to go NOOB, Plug and Play, on road and off road...The Highway ride is sweet (X-wind noise which ALL gladiators get some). In the Wild it is the most versatile (all around) most capable off-roader Jeep makes (stock)...Only rival is the Rubicon (another find model NOOB), but Rubicon optimizes for serious Rock Crawling (if that is what you are interested in an awesome choice), but Mojave beats it some in almost any other type of terrain.

Enjoy the ride....

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[Pickles85]

I recent was in your situation and went with Sport S Max Tow because I do more hauling and towing then off roading. The only real off road driving it will see is the beach. I am very happy with my decision.

 

[mpsoldier]

Drive both... That will help you decide...

Me? Wife did not wanted me to get a Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator... We managed to go of a test drive after dropping off another car for service... I kid you not, before the test drive, she was like "you know I do not like how Jeeps ride...plus I had a bad experience in one... wah wah wah wah..." We went to test drive a Jeep JLU Rubicon and the Gladiator (at the time, I did not have one on mind... was going to drive a Rubicon Gladiator as well)....

We saw the gray Mojave and I was sold on looks... but did not say anything... We test drove a green Gladiator Mojave first, drove for a few miles then I stopped and we switched places...

Ride quality was so good that it was my wife that told me "Honey, you need to buy this Jeep. It is nothing like I remembered..."

I did not hesitate... we got to the dealer and told the sales guy, give me the gray one right now! ?

In my case, I do not plan to make any changes to suspension and whatnot... Only will install pizza cutter tires when the time comes... that is it.

So yeah... drive both and then decide.

I bought this exact same JT in December. Got a great deal because the dealer posted the ad without their mark-up, basically a tad over invoice. This is my 1st new Jeep. I e owned CJ5 and 7 in the past.

 

[Chief_jeep]

I think it depends on how much of a build you want to do. If you are considering going to one ton axles, then in my opinion, you should start with a sport s. If you don’t want tons and you don’t care about a front locker then the Mojave is by far the best. Comes with fox 2.5s so no need to upgrade the shocks. I’m biased as I started with a sport s, loaded it up with most of the factory options and then put a Dana 60/70 in and went from there. I knew where I wanted to end up so no reason to waste money on a rubicon/Mojave just to rip out the Dana 44.

 

[trekkar]

I know this is an old thread but figured it better to bring back up then start a new one.

What's the better buy sport for 30k or mojave for 40k? Or how close or far apart would the price need to be to sway your decision? Do you they both come with dana 44s front and back? And is the max tow sport just wider than the standard or wider than the mojave too?

I like the idea of the increased frame for the mojave and not needing to modify it right away.

 

[Zachanadandy]

If you're only trying to tow and haul I'd go max tow. Only go mojave if you know you absolutely aren't going to touch the wheels and suspension EVER. I have a max tow with "incomplete" icon stage 2 and 35 mts and its comfy as all shit imo. Even on 14 hour drives. Moral of the story though, I wouldn't go mojave if just for tires and suspension. I'd go sport s and do that yourself with better parts.

Completely disagree. The biggest advantages of the mojave are the shocks and hydraulic front bump stops. There are multiple kits that retain what makes the mojave great while adding to it/making room for larger tires. The AEV 2" spacer kit rides like stock and keeps the shocks in their proper ride zones (critical with bypass shocks) and it's dirt cheap. I was able to sell the stock 33s for $200 more than I paid for the 37s thanks to one of Walmarts crazy tire sales. By 1100 miles the mojave was lifted on 37s, and still had the best factory suspension and ride Jeep has ever offered. No issues towing a 5klb trailer even with the lift. Unless you're spending $2k plus on shocks alone, your aftermarket replacements won't be as good as the stock mojave. If you're going full build and swapping out the entire suspension then a max tow or Rubicon (for the lockers and transfer case) are the better way to go. But you can modify and upgrade a mojave while retaining the good parts. And it's still plenty stable at freeway speeds in the desert.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I know this is an old thread but figured it better to bring back up then start a new one.

What's the better buy sport for 30k or mojave for 40k? Or how close or far apart would the price need to be to sway your decision? Do you they both come with dana 44s front and back? And is the max tow sport just wider than the standard or wider than the mojave too?

I like the idea of the increased frame for the mojave and not needing to modify it right away.

That question is kinda vague, are they similarly equipped? They both have Dana 44s, but the non-max tow are narrower and will have 3.73 gears. $2-3k for a regear and $2k for shocks will have them riding and driving pretty similar, but the sport still won't have a rear locker, hydraulic bump stops, re-enforced frame, etc. I would spend the money on the mojave, as I did, but it all depends on other options, how you'll use it, and what you plan to do to it.

 

[trekkar]

That question is kinda vague, are they similarly equipped? They both have Dana 44s, but the non-max tow are narrower and will have 3.73 gears. $2-3k for a regear and $2k for shocks will have them riding and driving pretty similar, but the sport still won't have a rear locker, hydraulic bump stops, re-enforced frame, etc. I would spend the money on the mojave, as I did, but it all depends on other options, how you'll use it, and what you plan to do to it.

I'm not sure how both equipped, but both basically base models so a msrp around 40-43k for the sport and 58k for the mojave.

I dig that yellow you have, wasn't really considering those but that looks great. Love the same color fender flares I just don't want to swing for the X model.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I'm not sure how both equipped, but both basically base models so a msrp around 40-43k for the sport and 58k for the mojave.

I dig that yellow you have, wasn't really considering those but that looks great. Love the same color fender flares I just don't want to swing for the X model.

Mines a 2023, no x but pretty loaded minus adaptive cruise. Msrp was $65k but got it for $50k. Seat heaters and steering wheel heater are fantastic on a cold morning when camping.

 

[pgiovann]

I agree with the "drive both first" philosophy. If you go Sport or Sport S intending on doing your own mods, make sure you get the max tow package. This way you get the 4.11 gears (instead of 3.73), the wider axles, and limited slip differential. Mojave and Rubicon come standard with the 4.11 gears. The 4.11 gearing gives you some additional options regarding larger tires if/when you build it out.

 

[Gvsukids]

Don't forget the upgraded seats in the Mojave.

 

[Speeder757]

Don't forget the upgraded seats in the Mojave.

How are those comfort wise vs the Rubicon?

 

[snide]

Had a '20 Sport S for 3 1/2 years. Loved it. When the lease was up, got into a '23 Mojave. Love it even more!

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