Thinking About Buying A Jeep Gladiator

[Bigcatfish]

Title says it all.
I’m married, 52 years old with 2 kids ages 21 and 23.
I drive 10 miles round trip to work and my hunting lease is about 15 miles round trip.
I currently have a 2008 Tundra.
Your thoughts?
Is the Gladiator Rubicon the smoothest rides out of the Gladiators? I’m leaning towards that one for the little bit of towing I do.

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[Jay Gatsby]

The Mojave is the smoothest driving, but if you’re gonna tow then the Rubicon or Sport with tow package is your best bet. The Sport has a slight advantage in towing over the Rubicon because of weight. Ever owned a Jeep before?

 

[Zachanadandy]

The Mojave is the smoothest driving, but if you’re gonna tow then the Rubicon or Sport with tow package is your best bet. The Sport has a slight advantage in towing over the Rubicon because of weight. Ever owned a Jeep before?

I'm pretty sure for the '24 and up the mojave is now rated at the same 7k pounds tow rating as the rubicon.

 

[Bigcatfish]

The Mojave is the smoothest driving, but if you’re gonna tow then the Rubicon or Sport with tow package is your best bet. The Sport has a slight advantage in towing over the Rubicon because of weight. Ever owned a Jeep before?

I have never owned one.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I have never owned one.

I vote mojave. By far the best shocks/suspension to come in any factory Jeep ever. Even towing mines been great. Smoothest ride and best bump handling by far.

 

[WILDHOBO]

There’s an owner on here I met today that’s selling his 21 Mojave. It looks immaculate. If you are interested in used, look up @BrownBear2025. Not vouching for anything. But it looked stock and clean as hell.

 

[Gvsukids]

I have never owned one.

What is the reason for owning a Gladiator? Test drive multiple ones and compare the ride with your Tundra. If you are looking to tow, you might be better with the Tundra.

 

[chr15m]

As a Mojave owner, I have to say the Rubicon seems smoother in typical on road use, it's basically under damped and just feels softer as a results.

Want the suspension to be soft when taking hits at over 30 then Mojave without a doubt.

I'd also argue in stock form the Mojave would probably be the worst for towing. I've got about 300lbs on my bed constantly and have added a larger sway bar and airbags to compensate for the Mojaves tendency to squat and become softer or too soft when taking smaller on road stroke movements, which with extra weight happens often. The springs are just slightly softer than the other models.

That's the thing with the Mojave, some will say it's soft and others it's not. Its really in road and driving conditions. Owners opinions say more about their driving style than the actual suspension. Its progressive with internal bypass, basically soft most of the time but bouncey unless it's making large quick strokes. Mine can feel like it bucks and bounces at speeds under 35. It feels counter intuitive but if you speed up in those conditions it becomes smoother.

Rubicon is easier to modify suspension if your preference changes. Very few out of the box options s for the Mojave front shocks.

TLDR test drive multiple trims.

 

[OVERLORD]

What rides bettererist the Mojave, or an Overland, for the application the OP is looking for?

 

[WILDHOBO]

What is the reason for owning a Gladiator? Test drive multiple ones and compare the ride with your Tundra. If you are looking to tow, you might be better with the Tundra.

Pretty sure they want a Jeep. Because jeeps make people happy.

 

[chr15m]

Pretty sure they want a Jeep. Because jeeps make people happy.

My heart says yes, but my head says, tHE PEnastur TIck.

Not sure the forum knows Jeeps make us happy lol.

 

[WILDHOBO]

My heart says yes, but my head says, tHE PEnastur TIck.

Not sure the forum knows Jeeps make us happy lol.

So few that actually have problems, compared to the number out there. Wind up that granny and let them rev. Lots of oil up top and they seem to last longer. That’s my theory anyway. But it would make sense. Enthusiasts are more likely to use the auto stick than just “owners of midsized trucks”. I think if they’re babied they don’t do as well. Same as boat engines, turbos, etc. they’re happy when they’re warm and humming.

 

[chr15m]

So few that actually have problems, compared to the number out there. Wind up that granny and let them rev. Lots of oil up top and they seem to last longer. That’s my theory anyway. But it would make sense. Enthusiasts are more likely to use the auto stick than just “owners of midsized trucks”. I think if they’re babied they don’t do as well. Same as boat engines, turbos, etc. they’re happy when they’re warm and humming.

I got you, was being sarcastic.

Auto stick + my AWE exhaust is quite nice.

I drive like an old man 90% of the time so we'll see. Hopefully the other 10% covers it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I got you, was being sarcastic.

Auto stick + my AWE exhaust is quite nice.

I drive like an old man 90% of the time so we'll see. Hopefully the other 10% covers it.

My bad. My small Sunday brain didn’t pick up on that. I can’t wait to someday swap exhaust. But I’m trying to wait until I genuinely kill the stock exhaust on a rock.

 

[DirkG]

Beyond the towing points laid out above, I always tell interested friends and family that have full sizes to make sure to spend plenty of time in the Gladiator cab. It's noticeably tighter.

That being said, I own a '24 Gladiator and a '25 Wrangler and they are the coolest vehicles I've ever owned. I've owned MBs and BMWs, and Fords and Chevys, and nothing comes close. It's an experience to own a Jeep and now, I wouldn't trade that experience for any other set of wheels.

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