Looks like I'm coming back. Mojave or Rubicon?

[HueCity0846]

Couldn’t have said it better
[/QUOT
First trip with the truck I got on a dead-end road and had to rock crawl to my way out. I did not need to use the locker and never spun a tire climbing up 12'' rock steps. This truck will go places that I never thought possible. I did add air ride air bags because the soft suspension sags too much from trailer tongue weight but other than that, nothing needs changing.

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[Rahkmalla]

Just as you’re aware the Tow Package you can get with the Rubicon is not the same as Max Tow. You will have something like a 4,000 lbs trailer capacity, but most importantly the lower payload of around 1,044-1,100, just check the driver’s door jamb sticker for that rating. Good luck.

Your tow cap is way off. Gas automatic rubicon has the second highest tow cap of any combination at 7k lbs.

That being said, you are correct that with your lower payload, it would make it very difficult to max out that tow cap. Even a 6k trailer with a 12% tongue and a 200lb driver eats up 920lbs of that payload. I guess the wife and kids are driving separate? They're carrying the luggage and entertainment too. Might have to drive naked. Maybe only full up half the tank at a time if things get real hairy?

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Kinda like an oil thread.

IMO: The reason Jeep left the Front locker off of the Mojave is because they wouldn't sell many Rubicons anymore. It would have ruined the Rubicon model line for JT's.

You can still 'rock crawl' with a Mojave. YT has plenty of videos showing it.

The definition of 'rock crawling or crawling' is experienced based. And opinion based.

My definition is: Going through a wash where there is no defined 'trail' and includes long sections of 3' and larger boulders with large gaps in between. I personally wouldn't 'rock crawl' (by my definition) a JT of any model without upgrades. But that's just me. Beating my rigs body and undercarriage to sh1# just to get over the next waterfall - and whoops and backslaps from friends,... Ended with me when I got older in years. Now, I sit and watch others destroy their rigs and usually I take the easier (not easiest, I still like a challenge), route. Its more fun and cheaper. Better yet, watch the guys with real money destroy their rigs. Maybe that is you guys.

I am no pro crawler but I have owned and wheeled a couple 'crawlers' in my time. I never saw the need for a 4 to 1 T Case. But I never did competition, just Jeep club runs. Did a couple Hammers "trails" back before the Hammers were well known. And we had a couple guys with doubled T cases and other mods getting something like 7 to 1 - ish and higher TC ratios... and it was fun to see. Was it necessary?...not that I ever saw. But it was cool.

The debate goes on but I never saw the JT as a rock crawler in any form without some big mods. 'Crawling' not considered: A front locker can be a live saver in one-off situations in snow and ice and mud. It might even save your life. The chances are slim, but in a blizzard it might be the difference of life or death for you and your loved ones. But that's why I run a winch on all my rigs. Even on my JTM.

Good luck with your choice. JTR or JTM. You can't make a bad choice between those two.

But I'll keep my Mojave.

Be well. Jeep on.

Eric

Actually the biggest difference between the two is the 4.0-1 transfer case in the Rubicon for the best controll for actual rock crawling. The Mojave comes with the? 2:75-1 ratio?

 

[Coldjensens]

I went through this a while back. I found Mojave to be more practical based on research (I have no experience with the two).

Mojave rides better, handles potholed roads better and can go faster in 4 low. I think it has a slightly larger gas tank. It has all of the Rubicon advantages except rock crawling related items.

Rubicon costs a lot more and is more expensive to maintain, repair and insure. I have no plans for serious rock crawling - which you are not likely to attempt without substantial further modification.

We were looking at a 2021 (because we wanted Snazzberry). Asking price range was $36,000 to $45,000. Rubicons were about $5,000 higher give or take. We were only looking at trucks with under 50,000 miles. We found a Mojave for $35,400 (negotiated price) at a dealer. It had 35,700 miles. It had every possible option ($20,000 in options when it was new), plus a fancy ceramic coating with a 7 year warranty added. I cannot imagine I will ever miss anything that the Rubicon offers that is not on the Mojave, and I certainly will not miss paying a lot more. My conclusions is that a Rubicon is a lot of added expense for Rock crawling. IF you want to do serious rock crawling you need to be prepared to put quite a bit of money into further modifications and to beat up (scratch) you Rubicon.

Yes, we are still doing some basic modification on the Mojave ( front bumper and winch, insulated headliner pads, removable steps - other things will likely come up). It cannot be avoided. The call to modify is simply too compelling (JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket). However, from what I can gather, a Rubicon would need even more costly mods to prepare for serious rock crawling.

 

[cb4017]

I went through this a while back. I found Mojave to be more practical based on research (I have no experience with the two).

Mojave rides better, handles potholed roads better and can go faster in 4 low. I think it has a slightly larger gas tank. It has all of the Rubicon advantages except rock crawling related items.

Rubicon costs a lot more and is more expensive to maintain, repair and insure. I have no plans for serious rock crawling - which you are not likely to attempt without substantial further modification.

We were looking at a 2021 (because we wanted Snazzberry). Asking price range was $36,000 to $45,000. Rubicons were about $5,000 higher give or take. We were only looking at trucks with under 50,000 miles. We found a Mojave for $35,400 (negotiated price) at a dealer. It had 35,700 miles. It had every possible option ($20,000 in options when it was new), plus a fancy ceramic coating with a 7 year warranty added. I cannot imagine I will ever miss anything that the Rubicon offers that is not on the Mojave, and I certainly will not miss paying a lot more. My conclusions is that a Rubicon is a lot of added expense for Rock crawling. IF you want to do serious rock crawling you need to be prepared to put quite a bit of money into further modifications and to beat up (scratch) you Rubicon.

Yes, we are still doing some basic modification on the Mojave ( front bumper and winch, insulated headliner pads, removable steps - other things will likely come up). It cannot be avoided. The call to modify is simply too compelling (JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket). However, from what I can gather, a Rubicon would need even more costly mods to prepare for serious rock crawling.

Agreed. I love exploring the desert and have no desire to break my stuff in the rocks. Besides, if rock crawling was my thing, the ZR2 is probably more capable at it than a Gladiator.

I have to admit I'm struggling a little with the decision to give up the ZR2 for a Gladiator. The Mojave is nice, but so is this thing.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I went through this a while back. I found Mojave to be more practical based on research (I have no experience with the two).

Mojave rides better, handles potholed roads better and can go faster in 4 low. I think it has a slightly larger gas tank. It has all of the Rubicon advantages except rock crawling related items.

Rubicon costs a lot more and is more expensive to maintain, repair and insure. I have no plans for serious rock crawling - which you are not likely to attempt without substantial further modification.

We were looking at a 2021 (because we wanted Snazzberry). Asking price range was $36,000 to $45,000. Rubicons were about $5,000 higher give or take. We were only looking at trucks with under 50,000 miles. We found a Mojave for $35,400 (negotiated price) at a dealer. It had 35,700 miles. It had every possible option ($20,000 in options when it was new), plus a fancy ceramic coating with a 7 year warranty added. I cannot imagine I will ever miss anything that the Rubicon offers that is not on the Mojave, and I certainly will not miss paying a lot more. My conclusions is that a Rubicon is a lot of added expense for Rock crawling. IF you want to do serious rock crawling you need to be prepared to put quite a bit of money into further modifications and to beat up (scratch) you Rubicon.

Yes, we are still doing some basic modification on the Mojave ( front bumper and winch, insulated headliner pads, removable steps - other things will likely come up). It cannot be avoided. The call to modify is simply too compelling (JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket). However, from what I can gather, a Rubicon would need even more costly mods to prepare for serious rock crawling.

They all have the same size gas tank.

Starting MSRP for a Rubicon or Mojave is the same for 2025. $51,695.

Maintenance is the same between a gas Rubicon and a gas Mojave. Why would a Rubicon be more expensive to maintain?

 

[biodiesel]

I have to admit I'm struggling a little with the decision to give up the ZR2 for a Gladiator. The Mojave is nice, but so is this thing.

Is there a way that you can keep the ZR2 and purchase a Mojave? That would be the way to go if you can swing it.

 

[Mr Miami]

Just as you’re aware the Tow Package you can get with the Rubicon is not the same as Max Tow. You will have something like a 4,000 lbs trailer capacity, but most importantly the lower payload of around 1,044-1,100, just check the driver’s door jamb sticker for that rating. Good luck.
[/QUOT

Just as you’re aware the Tow Package you can get with the Rubicon is not the same as Max Tow. You will have something like a 4,000 lbs trailer capacity, but most importantly the lower payload of around 1,044-1,100, just check the driver’s door jamb sticker for that rating. Good luck.

Please check your information because there is no towing package offered for 2024 or 2025 Rubicons or Mojaves. Max Tow offers the 7,600 (or is it 7,650?) towing but Mojave (or the X) is set at 6,000 lbs. while the Rubicon (or the X) offers 7,000 lbs. All of the towing stuff is included now and nothing additional is required.

That was the reason I bought the Rubicon instead of a Mojave; I needed the extra towing capacity.

 

[Mr Miami]

Another reason I went with the Rubicon, other than towing, was some of the stories I heard here regarding the shocks. I understand the Fox shock system rides very well but is it true that they have to be replaced or rebuilt at 50k miles and cost close to $2,000? Maybe I misheard or had my facts mixed up but it seemed very strange to me that shocks only last 50k miles. That sounded like a lot of coin to pay for something that I would expect double the mileage.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Another reason I went with the Rubicon, other than towing, was some of the stories I heard here regarding the shocks. I understand the Fox shock system rides very well but is it true that they have to be replaced or rebuilt at 50k miles and cost close to $2,000? Maybe I misheard or had my facts mixed up but it seemed very strange to me that shocks only last 50k miles. That sounded like a lot of coin to pay for something that I would expect double the mileage.

What stories about Mojave shocks? Please link some if you have the time.

I have 65K on my 2021 Mojave and it rides like new. No blown shocks, no leaks, simply perfect.

But I personally didn't buy the Mojave for the shocks, or the suspension. Off-road I am usually slow and go. I bought it for the frame and axle strength over the Rubicon. The ride and suspension was an amazing PLUS.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

I went through this a while back. I found Mojave to be more practical based on research (I have no experience with the two).

Mojave rides better, handles potholed roads better and can go faster in 4 low. I think it has a slightly larger gas tank. It has all of the Rubicon advantages except rock crawling related items.

Rubicon costs a lot more and is more expensive to maintain, repair and insure. I have no plans for serious rock crawling - which you are not likely to attempt without substantial further modification.

We were looking at a 2021 (because we wanted Snazzberry). Asking price range was $36,000 to $45,000. Rubicons were about $5,000 higher give or take. We were only looking at trucks with under 50,000 miles. We found a Mojave for $35,400 (negotiated price) at a dealer. It had 35,700 miles. It had every possible option ($20,000 in options when it was new), plus a fancy ceramic coating with a 7 year warranty added. I cannot imagine I will ever miss anything that the Rubicon offers that is not on the Mojave, and I certainly will not miss paying a lot more. My conclusions is that a Rubicon is a lot of added expense for Rock crawling. IF you want to do serious rock crawling you need to be prepared to put quite a bit of money into further modifications and to beat up (scratch) you Rubicon.

Yes, we are still doing some basic modification on the Mojave ( front bumper and winch, insulated headliner pads, removable steps - other things will likely come up). It cannot be avoided. The call to modify is simply too compelling (JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket). However, from what I can gather, a Rubicon would need even more costly mods to prepare for serious rock crawling.

Sounds like you found the color and model you wanted. However I would check the records if possible. As it’s either a return lease with too high residual to buy out, or near the end of the warranty on a troubled gremlin plagued rig? For the price asked for that used Mojave, you could buy a new Sport S maybe a Willys, if you shop around for the best discount coming. Good luck!

 

[Viper501]

There is this on Bring a trailer right now ... https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2022-jeep-gladiator-43/

 

[Sandman 4x4]

That’s more of a weekend toy than daily driver. In some states you would not pass inspection!

 

[ecidiego]

cost close to $2,000?

$1k to rebuild. it's a high performance off-road shock. Nothing high performance lasts as long as a plain-jane street part.

axle strength over the Rubicon

Mojave and Rubicon have the same axles.

 

[SaiintNick]

There is this on Bring a trailer right now ... https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2022-jeep-gladiator-43/

Thats a lot of wasted money to make the bed even smaller than it currently is. That will never sell for close to what they have into it.

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