What to buy Mojave or Rubicon?

[hjdca]

One big question is "how much" you can lift the Mojave and keep those shocks... It already has a one inch lift over the Rubicon I guess... Let's say you add the steel bumper and winch, that will knock it down one inch...., then, you add the Mopar 2 inch lift spring ? are the shocks still long enough ?

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[tampahoosier]

One big question is "how much" you can lift the Mojave and keep those shocks... It already has a one inch lift over the Rubicon I guess... Let's say you add the steel bumper and winch, that will knock it down one inch...., then, you add the Mopar 2 inch lift spring ? are the shocks still long enough ?

And that is one of my original questions. I'm not sure what the amount of travel is on those shocks but it'd be great if you could keep them. If I could do a 2.5" Rock Krawler lift and keep those shocks I'd be super happy!
Not sure how we could find that out.

 

[BLK HOLE]

I see very little value in a Mojave...just a Sport Max tow, without the tow spec, with a rear locker for the cost of a Rubicon. I'd rather buy a Rubicon and add the Reservoir shocks and bump stops.

 

[Etoimos]

I haven't heard anything on the front diff either way, just making an assumption that it would be that easy from what I've seen in the past. You are correct, the front locker wouldn't be done right away. I'd wait until it's time to get new tires, then make the jump from the 33s to 37s and re-gear.

I should clarify why I want the mojave. I really like the beefier build and reinforcements, the hood, steel leather color, hydraulic bump stops and the 2.72 transmission. I don't think I need the 4:1 for crawling b/c I'll never be crawling in a truck. Even on some moderate obstacle courses at the Jeep events here in central FL I'll be fine with that ratio; that's all the truck will be able to do with that long bed hanging over the rear wheels anyways.
The mojave comes in a tad cheaper when I price it out with all the bells and whistles AND it qualifies for the 2k FCA cash.
Not sure if that cash will still be there if I were to order today and take delivery some time in June most likely and/or if the Rubicon will also have it at that point. That's the big gamble to me and why the mojave is more attractive.

Again if I knew I could sell the suspension (keeping the bump stops though) and make some money off them I'd feel much more comfortable. I just don't know what type of price I could fetch for them.

It actually sounds like you would be better off getting a Sport S and doing an aftermarket (or Mopar replacement) hood, hydro jounce, a rear ARB locker when they come out and have a custom interior done. That should save you a decent amount of cash and get you want you want. It does not sound like you need the re-enforced parts, so why pay for them? This is a typical case of the "X1000" does everything I need it to, but they say the "X2000" is better so I should get it! syndrome. We all get caught up in it, and that is exactly why do it.

On a more practical note, I think the Rubicon take offs will be much easier to sell than Mojave take offs. First, the Rubicon stuff as the name recognition and secondly, everyone can convince themselves they need Rubicon capabilities but not everyone is going to convince themselves they need dune busting capabilities.

 

[tampahoosier]

It actually sounds like you would be better off getting a Sport S and doing an aftermarket (or Mopar replacement) hood, hydro jounce, a rear ARB locker when they come out and have a custom interior done. That should save you a decent amount of cash and get you want you want. It does not sound like you need the re-enforced parts, so why pay for them? This is a typical case of the "X1000" does everything I need it to, but they say the "X2000" is better so I should get it! syndrome. We all get caught up in it, and that is exactly why do it.

On a more practical note, I think the Rubicon take offs will be much easier to sell than Mojave take offs. First, the Rubicon stuff as the name recognition and secondly, everyone can convince themselves they need Rubicon capabilities but not everyone is going to convince themselves they need dune busting capabilities.

All REALLY good points! I have considered a Sport S Max tow package build as well. You bring up a valid point I didn't think about, I probably don't need the reinforced parts as the truck is capable enough as is for what I want and will use it for. BUT I do want them lol
This is something to think over. Damn all these options they give!

 

[capercrew02]

As for JLU vs JT. Having owned my JT for 6 months,11k miles, with several Offroad trips, overlanding trips, towing trips, and daily driving, I will say day to day you’ll get much better usability with a JT over a JLU. the wheelbase and rubicon/Mojave’s suspension makes the ride significantly nicer. You still get the “jeepness” by being able to remove top and doors, but you get functionality of a truckbed. The only real thing you loose is hardcore Offroad capability. I’ve now done over 9 Jeep badge of honor trails, most trails in Moab, and can say even stock this truck is VERY capable. More capable than most drivers new to off-roading. So if you don’t see yourself doing hardcore off-roading and crawling, the JT will likely for your needs short and long term much longer than a JLU.

[QUOTE="tampahoosier, post: 484010, member:I'm still not totally sold on the truck, I had my heart set on a JLU Rubi diesel but I've been backing off the diesel recently and now I go back and forth on JT vs JLU. I will keep this thing for 15+ years, as a third vehicle once it's paid off so the question my wife and I have always had was what will we get more use out of long term? A truck bed seems to come up a lot. I also like the slightly larger back seat and the fact that the seats are a little more reclined in the JT than the JLUs.
I should just buy one of each and be done with it![/QUOTE]

 

[tampahoosier]

As for JLU vs JT. Having owned my JT for 6 months,11k miles, with several Offroad trips, overlanding trips, towing trips, and daily driving, I will say day to day you’ll get much better usability with a JT over a JLU. the wheelbase and rubicon/Mojave’s suspension makes the ride significantly nicer. You still get the “jeepness” by being able to remove top and doors, but you get functionality of a truckbed. The only real thing you loose is hardcore Offroad capability. I’ve now done over 9 Jeep badge of honor trails, most trails in Moab, and can say even stock this truck is VERY capable. More capable than most drivers new to off-roading. So if you don’t see yourself doing hardcore off-roading and crawling, the JT will likely for your needs short and long term much longer than a JLU.

That is really good real world feedback. Did you earn those 9 badges in the truck, with it being stock? I assume it's the rubi but which trim do you have?

I won't be doing any hardcore off-roading and crawling in this truck so I can rule that out.

 

[capercrew02]

all of the following trails have been done in a stock rubicon, only “upgrade” for trail performance was a rugged ridge stubby bumper and winch. Trails completed include; schebly hill, elephant hill, fins and things, hells revenge, gold mountain, I’ve also separately started but due to time was unable to complete Holcomb creek and John Bull. In a previous Jeep I’ve also done the rubicon and pinyon mountain, and have no doubts I could make it through those stock also, but likely Jeep will have a lift and tires before I get another chance for those trails.
I have over 4k of those 11k miles towing my Offroad teardrop. This truck offered a trip of a lifetime, easily towed my 3k pound trailer, hailed all our gear including limitless things for our at the time 4 month old.

That is really good real world feedback. Did you earn those 9 badges in the truck, with it being stock? I assume it's the rubi but which trim do you have?

I won't be doing any hardcore off-roading and crawling in this truck so I can rule that out.

 

[TCS1666]

Maybe I just want a Rubicon with front and rear lockers and electric sway bar disconnect, but with the 2.72 transfer case, Mojave like washboard suspension prowess, that can haul a bit of gear for overlanding.......without need to do large jumps at speed.

This might be the best idea yet...A Rubi with the 2.72 tcase and the Mojave shocks (if they can handle a bit of lift)!!

 

[wvyankee2]

For what their designed to do, the Rubicon is on top of it's game. Mojave is entry level. If I wanted a desert and dirt runner I would get a Raptor. Mojave is extremely under powered for what they advertise it for. Rubicon is a beast for what it's designed for. The front Electric front Locker, and 4:1 transfer case takes it to the next level.

 

[tampahoosier]

This might be the best idea yet...A Rubi with the 2.72 tcase and the Mojave shocks (if they can handle a bit of lift)!!

This was something I liked when deciding. I don’t need the rubicon tcase because it’s a truck and I’ll never be rock crawling. I did end up going the Rubicon route (after temporarily ordering a loaded Sport S max tow).

For me, what I really liked was the reinforcements made to the truck. But I settled on the Rubicon anyways for several reasons. Either trim level is awesome and will make you happy!

 

[No IFS]

Do they tow the same weight ?

 

[No IFS]

I have the shortest Jeep with F/R lockers a 2 door JL Rubicon for trails.
I’m getting the longest Jeep JT Mojave for desert , over-landing and towing.
I live in sand / desert country, the Rubicon T-case is to low for sand.

 

[tampahoosier]

Do they tow the same weight ?

No they don’t, the Mojave goes a max of 6k while the rubicon tows a max of 7k. I don’t remember the payload numbers but that is also lower than the rubicon.

 

[studiodfw]

I did a review of my experience with this decision over here in this thread, hope it is helpful to anyone who is legitimately torn between two really cool Jeeps.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/to-mojave-or-not-to-mojave.32809/post-535871

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