2020 Gladiator Mojave Review: For most buyers, the Mojave will make more sense than the Rubicon [Autoblog]

[Blknblu]

Very cool vehicle and purpose built for the most part. I normally do not like to critique what FCA does, but this is being advertised as a high speed baja type vehicle. It should have a drivetrain to match.

Bruce

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[DunnMan]

It is this statement the article makes about the steering that is bs:

...At highway speeds, all Gladiators require regular steering corrections to travel straight...

That is complete bs, my heavy foot takes a set at 85mph on I-285 when commuting to work. Steering is smooth as butter.

Exactly. I wish people would stop downplaying some of the problem Gladiators with steering issues. A JT with a good steering box does not wonder all over the highway. Yours is obviously fine.

 

[LostWoods]

Couple things:
*The remote reservoir Fox shocks are $2200 more than the already-upgraded Fox shocks on the Rubicon? (which retail for almost $200 each on their own) Wow, those Mojave shocks are some EXPENSIVE shocks for an OEM. So they must be close to $1000 each to replace when they go bad. Good to know.

* The e-disconnect front swaybar setup is clearly not "$200" -- actual MSRP is nearly $1900. Perhaps we're talking about two different things?
From the parts catalog: "68251037AC Stabilizer Bar W/ELECTRIC DISCONNECT $1,845.00"

* You're probably right about the price difference between the Rubicon and standard Tcase -- that's likely not a big OEM cost difference.

Someone else had mentioned that about 4' of frame under the bed has been changed (highlighted in the video). There seems to be some mixed info on that, as other sources have said it is just the spring seat/bumpstop bracket that was changed/uprated. Guess more info will need to come out on that.

You can get a Fox 2.0 emulsion set for about $800 and it's closer to $3k for the 2.5's with reservoirs.

But @MrKnowitall is assuming these are legitimate Fox 2.5 parts and not some closed-system faux Fox shock like the Rubicon shocks are. The Rubicons come with Fox tuned 2 inch shocks but they're not rebuildable like the true Fox 2.0 parts. The tops of the Mojave shocks look a lot more like the Rubicon shocks than true Fox 2.5's which have replaceable shock bodies. i'm guessing they're nowhere near the same level and don't come with the typical benefits. I hope I'm wrong but if they're a closed shock, there isn't any reason to buy the Mojave other than the reinforced frame.

 

[MrKnowitall]

Couple things:
*The remote reservoir Fox shocks are $2200 more than the already-upgraded Fox shocks on the Rubicon? (which retail for almost $200 each on their own) Wow, those Mojave shocks are some EXPENSIVE shocks for an OEM. So they must be close to $1000 each to replace when they go bad. Good to know.

* The e-disconnect front swaybar setup is clearly not "$200" -- actual MSRP is nearly $1900. Perhaps we're talking about two different things?
From the parts catalog: "68251037AC Stabilizer Bar W/ELECTRIC DISCONNECT $1,845.00"

* You're probably right about the price difference between the Rubicon and standard Tcase -- that's likely not a big OEM cost difference.

Someone else had mentioned that about 4' of frame under the bed has been changed (highlighted in the video). There seems to be some mixed info on that, as other sources have said it is just the spring seat/bumpstop bracket that was changed/uprated. Guess more info will need to come out on that.

Fox 2.0 IFP shocks, which come on the JT Rubicon have an MSRP of $160.
Fox 2.5 IBP Reservoir shocks, best I can tell is whats on the Mojave, have an MSRP of $1400 a pair. Good news is these should be rebuildable, so when they do require servicing, having a shop service them or a reman/exchange program could help with the cost.
The swaybar... thanks to your part number, found two sources that sell it $1200. if we use a number in the middle, we get
Rubicon unique features- $1550 + $1000 = $2550
Mojave unique features- $2200 + $400 = $2600
Obviously we have no idea what FCA actually pays for the components, probably only about 2/3 or less of the prices we have here. OTOH, Jeep could fit all the goodies onto one truck for about the price of the Alpine and the big radio screen.

 

[hjdca]

The Mojave is super cool for the Desert and So. Ca.... , I really like it. However, I have a hard time giving up the sway bar disconnect and the front locker..... The sway bar disco even more than the front locker -- it is almost like adding a better suspension for off road. For a manual transmission Rubicon JT like mine, I also like the 4 to 1 transfer case better. I recently had to turn around on some super steep nasty mountain ridges and using low lock granny gear and reverse to turn around with the clutch out was very calming. The steepest mountain ridge I have climbed so far required 2nd gear low lock at 4K rpm with my foot heavy into the gas pedal for a super long climb, so, I really do not think the Rubi transfer case is too low for So. Cal.. -- ie. climbing mountain ridges.

 

[Kent5]

Fox 2.0 IFP shocks, which come on the JT Rubicon have an MSRP of $160.
Fox 2.5 IBP Reservoir shocks, best I can tell is whats on the Mojave, have an MSRP of $1400 a pair. Good news is these should be rebuildable, so when they do require servicing, having a shop service them or a reman/exchange program could help with the cost.
The swaybar... thanks to your part number, found two sources that sell it $1200. if we use a number in the middle, we get
Rubicon unique features- $1550 + $1000 = $2550
Mojave unique features- $2200 + $400 = $2600
Obviously we have no idea what FCA actually pays for the components, probably only about 2/3 or less of the prices we have here. OTOH, Jeep could fit all the goodies onto one truck for about the price of the Alpine and the big radio screen.

True. I'm guessing it is because if FCA would have given the Mojave everything the Rubicon had, and simply added the upgraded remote res shocks for a few thousand more, Rubicon sales would have totally evaporated.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Can the rubicon swaybar be programmed in to other models ?

 

[Klutch]

Very cool vehicle and purpose built for the most part. I normally do not like to critique what FCA does, but this is being advertised as a high speed baja type vehicle. It should have a drivetrain to match.

Bruce

I think I get your point. But consider the Gen-1 Ford Bronco's optional 289 had less horsepower than the engine in my Gladiator. That Bronco was available with a 3-on-the-tree or a 3-speed auto. The Gladiator has a 6-speed on the floor or an 8-speed auto. I don't have the numbers handy, but a decade later, the full-size bronco V8 likely had even less horsepower than the older 289. Same with the Chevrolet Blazer.

Even with dual overhhead cams and multi-point fuel injection, a V-6 just isn't as sexy as a V8. Nor does it have the same potential as a modified V-8. But the JT engine and trans are already very capable. If you wanted to run a Gladiator in the Baja 1000, I'm thinking adding supercharger would provide more than enough power. (Yeah, stuffing in a V8 would be WAY cool.)

 

[Kent5]

Can the rubicon swaybar be programmed in to other models ?

It's more than just programming, but I would THINK you could always buy the swaybar/disconnector motor unit as a part from Mopar ($1500) and then setup some sort of on/off manual wiring. Not sure, but I would think it could be done.

 

[LostWoods]

Can the rubicon swaybar be programmed in to other models ?

Yes, and you can do it with just a Tazer or equivalent, but there's wiring that doesn't exist on non-Rubicon trucks that you'll need to run. I'm not even positive you can buy a partial harness either so while it's possible, it might require some significant work.

 

[ttn333]

You can get a Fox 2.0 emulsion set for about $800 and it's closer to $3k for the 2.5's with reservoirs.

But @MrKnowitall is assuming these are legitimate Fox 2.5 parts and not some closed-system faux Fox shock like the Rubicon shocks are. The Rubicons come with Fox tuned 2 inch shocks but they're not rebuildable like the true Fox 2.0 parts. The tops of the Mojave shocks look a lot more like the Rubicon shocks than true Fox 2.5's which have replaceable shock bodies. i'm guessing they're nowhere near the same level and don't come with the typical benefits. I hope I'm wrong but if they're a closed shock, there isn't any reason to buy the Mojave other than the reinforced frame.

True. I'm guessing it is because if FCA would have given the Mojave everything the Rubicon had, and simply added the upgraded remote res shocks for a few thousand more, Rubicon sales would have totally evaporated.

Nah. Their are those of us who would rather go slow and/or plan for lift and larger tires. We wouldn't want to pay extra for a suspension that will have to replace.

 

[cbl1]

The Mojave would probably suit me better - but I don't like the orange accents etc. I would want it to say Rubicon and have all red but have the Mojave build.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Yes, and you can do it with just a Tazer or equivalent, but there's wiring that doesn't exist on non-Rubicon trucks that you'll need to run. I'm not even positive you can buy a partial harness either so while it's possible, it might require some significant work.

How about a basic on off switch without involving the computer?

 

[LostWoods]

How about a basic on off switch without involving the computer?

No can do unless something has changed since I got out of the industry... It's all on the CAN bus so there's multiple signals needed for it to not shit a brick. Easier move is to install one and then get one of the aftermarket kits to swap out for an actuator that runs on air. It's another couple hundred bucks and you need OBA for it to work though.

 

[MrKnowitall]

True. I'm guessing it is because if FCA would have given the Mojave everything the Rubicon had, and simply added the upgraded remote res shocks for a few thousand more, Rubicon sales would have totally evaporated.

Yeah, I would expect something like that as a limited model, bundled with more fluff.

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