Mojave X vs Rubicon v Others

[Huskervet]

Considering a Mojave X for better suspension and upgraded seat but not sure if it really makes much of a difference. Also considered sport s or Saharea and then upgrading tires and small lift/leveling kit but by the time you do that the cost difference isn’t that much. Anyone have real-world experience between rubicon and Mojave trims? Would mainly be daily commuter and potential roadtrips. No major roadtrips or off-road. Had gladiators in the past but all have been either overland or sport s and wondering how much d=of a difference in ride quality of a Mojave. Plus just like the overall looks of a Mojave x. Can get decent deals wiith any but realistically when you add in 2-3k for tires/lift, difference in price between Mojave and decently equipped sahara or Willy’s is negligible and Willy’s mud-terrains are terrible for highway driving.

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[Bully4]

I had a 21 Mojave. I think it rode better than my 25 Rubicon. It could just be my perception as well. One thing I do know about my 25 Rubicon--the front diff does not have a disconnect on front diff like some other models do. I'm not sure how much it affects fuel consumption. I'm currently at 15.5 mpg running around town. My Rubicon also has front and rear lockers, not sure on the Mojave. To be honest, I like either one. I'd test drive one of each and judge for yourself.

 

[Gvsukids]

I'd test drive one of each and judge for yourself.

Definitely. @Huskervet, you will be the only one who can make that decision.

not sure on the Mojave.

Just rear.

 

[Bully4]

That hood on the 21 Mojave really inked the deal for me. The only reason I traded was the P/S issue ; I keep my truck in the garage when I'm not using it. I run my motorcycle to work most summer days. I didn't want to come home to a smoking foundation. It had cloth, heated seats. I think they were a little more comfortable than the leather. The leather on my Rubicon might break in to my ass print over time, though, I only have 3500 miles. LOL

 

[lppd45]

Currently have a 24 Mojave X and a 26 Rubicon. I like both very much. If you’re looking for a daily driver and ride quality I would recommend the Mojave.

 

[matthewmcw]

Ive never driven the higher trim packaded gladiators but for what you described your needs to be get the Sport S.

 

[WambliSka]

Considering a Mojave X for better suspension and upgraded seat but not sure if it really makes much of a difference. Also considered sport s or Saharea and then upgrading tires and small lift/leveling kit but by the time you do that the cost difference isn’t that much. Anyone have real-world experience between rubicon and Mojave trims? Would mainly be daily commuter and potential roadtrips. No major roadtrips or off-road. Had gladiators in the past but all have been either overland or sport s and wondering how much d=of a difference in ride quality of a Mojave. Plus just like the overall looks of a Mojave x. Can get decent deals wiith any but realistically when you add in 2-3k for tires/lift, difference in price between Mojave and decently equipped sahara or Willy’s is negligible and Willy’s mud-terrains are terrible for highway driving.

Drive them both, I did and the ride is different. I liked the on-road performance of the Mojave X and the interior better, and I’m not a rock-crawler, I’m a desert rat.

Both drove/rode much better than my old ‘22 overland, and the off-road performance is MUCH improved. I can do the same trails I used to do with the Overland in half the time MUCH more comfortably. My wife asked me why I didn’t do this upgrade years ago. No more double sports bras for her.

 

[Janster]

We’ve had our 2024 Mojave X since new…... 19,000 miles on it currently.
Although….when we test drove it, it was surprisingly soft and sucked up the bumps nicely. Granted…..I’d been driving a GMC Canyon for 8 years. So, it was softer than the Canyon (surprisingly).

Two & a half years in…. It doesn’t seem as soft as it was when it was new. Is that just our imagination? or….?? It still rides nicely and we’ve taken it on several long trips (12 hours,etc) . It’s very comfortable to drive for hours at a a time, including being a passenger. No complaints…..

 

[Huskervet]

Thanks a bunch for all the replies, I had a sport s previous and a Willy’s and when I test drove the Mojave it seemed better on the highway than those but not driving them back to back for extended periods I wasn’t sure if it was just my imagination. Think I will go with the Mojave as long as I can get one of the dealers to take a bunch off. Seeing most at 12-15k off msrp.

 

[caryt]

I'd get the Rubicon if your planing to off road and just change the shocks, Get adj bypass shocks and it will ride much better than a Mojave.

 

[Jclayc]

I had a 23 Rubicon and put 109,000 miles on it when I traded it for a 25 Mojave. I drive 80 miles a day for work, mostly interstate. The Rubicon was not that great on road but I never upgraded shocks, still had the leaky red monotubes on it when traded. The Mojave is far better on road than the Rubicon. I have the regular not the X but I did put the Mojave X springs on it when I added my steel bumper and winch back on. 1.5 TF leveling kit all around on 35's and drives like a dream. Before w/o the X springs, it would bottom out over any kind of bumps in the road. If you are doing light wheeling and mostly road miles, Mojave is fine w/o the front locker or the Rubi transfer case. Get some quick sway bar disconnects if you want. If it were up to me, I'd have a Mojave the Rubi transfer case and front locker but apparently Jeep never thought of offering that...

 

[BourbonRunner]

I'm biased but well before I purchased I drove a JTM and JTR back to back and the JTR was far more compliant on the road. Since most of my driving is on pavement that was a major deciding factor.

Not being an avid rock crawler means I didn't need the low geared Rubicon transfer case. Adding Apex Autolynx solves the front sway bar if I really need articulation and the winch and ground anchor provides other options if I find myself in a self-inflicted bad situation. If I decide to ever re-gear, I will throw a locker in the front end at that point but even then I really dont plan on going beyond 35's.

Another (big) reason for me and not as commonly thought of is the SelecTrac transfer case. It's only available now in the JTMX. Having the ability to run in auto AWD mode in crappy weather is a game changer and doesn't get enough attention.

And then there's the seats. The power seats are far superior to anything else in a Gladiator, especially on a long road trip.

 

[WambliSka]

Another (big) reason for me and not as commonly thought of is the SelecTrac transfer case. It's only available now in the JTMX. Having the ability to run in auto AWD mode in crappy weather is a game changer and doesn't get enough attention.

I agree with this. I have already deployed this several times in driving situations where 4WD was not the right answer but 2H was not either. REALLY nice to have.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I agree with this. I have already deployed this several times in driving situations where 4WD was not the right answer but 2H was not either. REALLY nice to have.

SelecTrac is part of why it took me so damned long to find one in the used market and even then had to fly 900 miles to drive it back.

 

[HighNoon]

I like the Mojave suspension and ride better. Both have a 4.10 gear. The X has one additional 4 wheel drive selection. The Rubicon has front and rear lockers and low is real low for rock crawling. The Mojave has a rear locker with not as low gear in 4 low. Having driving both I like the Mojave X better because I drive in sand and dirt. It will still do well with normal rocks.

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