Mojave owners - do you ever wish you had a front locker?

[ExpoGuy]

If you own a Mojave, have you ever gotten in an off-road situation where having a front locker would have helped you?
I have read that a front locker is useful when wheeling in mud. I have little experience off-roading, that's why I'm asking.

I think the same question could be asked of the sway bar disconnect.

From my questions I guess you know I'm trying to decide between a Mojave and Rubicon.

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[DiehardTory]

To answer your question for me personally -- No. What I want is to LOCK the REAR in 2 Hi. and completely disable the traction control or ESC system .

 

[Jeep Creep]

Just speaking for myself…no. I didn’t buy my gladiator to do extreme trails. I have my built TJ for that.
But I do like being able to lock the rear in 4hi and a very pleasant ride that it provides.
Just my 2 cents

 

[Stormtroopin]

Ive never wanted a front locker in it but when I regear to 4.56 I’ll probably add one. Apex quick discos are better than the auto sway bar in my opinion but I’ll probably add an anti rock later on down the road.

 

[Jteakus]

If it is four wheel drive, all wheels should pull. Having selectable lockers are great for snow/highway driving too. My humble opinion.

 

[Gvsukids]

To answer your question for me personally -- No. What I want is to LOCK the REAR in 2 Hi. and completely disable the traction control or ESC system .

Tazer.

 

[NC_Overland]

I had a JKU Rubicon when I lived in CO and wheeled it hard quite a bit. I literally never needed a front locker. Whenever I tried using it, it was more of a hindrance because you can’t turn for shit.

 

[SaiintNick]

Ive never wanted a front locker in it but when I regear to 4.56 I’ll probably add one. Apex quick discos are better than the auto sway bar in my opinion but I’ll probably add an anti rock later on down the road.

X2 for Apex. And I've never cared that I didn't have a front locker. I have only used the rear once. Very happy with my Mojave choice.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Thanks for the comments folks. The only wheeling I've done was back in the early 80s in
a Willys CJ2A. That was a lot of fun.

But back then I didn't go to off-road vehicle parks. I'd travel to isolated areas exploring mountain and desert trails. All by myself. A couple of times I got stuck, but was able to recover. I have this fear that I might get stuck again. That's why the off-road capability of the Rubicon interests me.
It's like having insurance. But really, 99% of all my off-roading will be satisfied by the Mojave.

Much to consider.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Test drive both. Many people like the smoother ride of the Mojave and the better seats. Mine has been all over the Sonoran and Mojave deserts with no issues. Get a winch and good recovery gear and you’ll be fine.

Yes, the smoother ride and better seats I find attractive. If I do get a Mojave it would be the X trim,
for the steel bumpers, trail camera, fender/body paint match, and a few other things.

I also like the stronger frame and steel steering knuckles, although I doubt I will do extreme
wheeling that necessitates those features.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Thanks for the comments folks. The only wheeling I've done was back in the early 80s in
a Willys CJ2A. That was a lot of fun.

But back then I didn't go to off-road vehicle parks. I'd travel to isolated areas exploring mountain and desert trails. All by myself. A couple of times I got stuck, but was able to recover. I have this fear that I might get stuck again. That's why the off-road capability of the Rubicon interests me.
It's like having insurance. But really, 99% of all my off-roading will be satisfied by the Mojave.

Much to consider.

I have a Rubicon and have only used the front locker a couple times. That was mostly playing around. 1 time only, did I really need it, and maybe the Mojave, being able to send it a bit faster would of been fine. Nasty rough uphill, slick with snow.
If I was buying today, I'd get the Mojave. The only reason I didn't, is I wanted a diesel.

Just get a winch, learn how to use it, along with some other recovery gear, and you'll be good to go.

 

[NC_Overland]

Thanks for the comments folks. The only wheeling I've done was back in the early 80s in
a Willys CJ2A. That was a lot of fun.

But back then I didn't go to off-road vehicle parks. I'd travel to isolated areas exploring mountain and desert trails. All by myself. A couple of times I got stuck, but was able to recover. I have this fear that I might get stuck again. That's why the off-road capability of the Rubicon interests me.
It's like having insurance. But really, 99% of all my off-roading will be satisfied by the Mojave.

Much to consider.

Lockers have their place, but with a SFA (more flex) and the brake actuated limited slip that we all have, it’s way less important than it used to be. I also had a Pro-4X Xterra when I lived in CO and I wheeled it hard too. It was obviously IFS so I’d have a front wheel off the ground a lot and the ABLS (what Nissan calls the brake actuated limited slip) worked great. Usually, when you have a wheel off the ground, that wheel spins and you completely lose traction from that differential. I mention the Nissan because that when I realized how well the brake actuated limited slip works. It had to work more with IFS. It had a rear locker and solid rear axle, but I had a front wheel off the ground a lot and it was really capable. I took it down a lot of trails
that people thought I shouldn’t have even attempted and I never got stuck or had any body damage. Thankfully. It was brand new.

 

[MT1]

The solo adventure is part of why I went with Rubicon in 2024. If there is sufficient mud or slick snow to require both axles locked or winching, which would I rather do, by myself? Neither is likely to be needed, but IF...

 

[406to417]

Yes.

 

[ecidiego]

I offroad in the SoCal deserts and have never even used my rear locker.

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