Test Drove Gobi Mojave

[Casique]

Just came back from test driving my third Gladiator. Gorgeous Gobi Mojave with black interior. Great ride and composure, but the steering was very loose and vague. Wandered at 45-60 mph all over the road. My wife drove it too and she thought the same. The dealer had 4 Mojaves, but only one was available. May order one in september, but want to test drive the 2021 F-150 Platinum before I pull the trigger.

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[Ozarkgolfer]

Did you point it out to the sales guy and did he drive it as well? Would you have considered it if he had it adjusted? Ordering one is no guarantee that you will have the steering fixed.

 

[Casique]

We test drove alone, no sales person. But I did point it out to him after the drive. He said it was a Wrangler thing, and that you just have to "hold on tight to the steering wheel"..

 

[WhippetTaxi]

We test drove alone, no sales person. But I did point it out to him after the drive. He said it was a Wrangler thing, and that you just have to "hold on tight to the steering wheel"..

You can tell the sales person that it can’t be a Wrangler thing, as it is a different model (i.e., Gladiator). It could be an issue with the steering, the alignment, the wheel balancing, or even the tread depth/tread type on the new tires.

 

[PyrPatriot]

mine doesnt wander

 

[Hootbro]

They ship the JT with 45 PSI in the tires for transport and lot storage. I bet they had not deflated down to 37 PSI per spec and that exacerbated the steering issue even more.

 

[CTFriel]

Agreed with @Hootbro. Mine had 40psi in it when picked up. I also just guess I’m so used to lifted vehicles that I feel like the stock JT rides on rails. It’s the tightest Jeep “wrangler” platform I’ve driven and I’ve owned them all.

 

[Casique]

Good point, did not check the tire pressure. I did notice it had mud terrain tires instead of the all terrain. It did look bad-ass though...

 

[CTFriel]

Good point, did not check the tire pressure. I did notice it had mud terrain tires instead of the all terrain. It did look bad-ass though...

they also install Load C tires from the factory. Plus to the dealer/tire shop is they wear out faster. IMO it should come with Load E.

 

[LiftedrubiconJT]

Ford is junk. Why would you even want to test drive one? I bet the wandering was due to over inflated tires. I picked mine up a month ago and it had almost 50 psi, once I aired it down the ride is nice.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Good point, did not check the tire pressure. I did notice it had mud terrain tires instead of the all terrain. It did look bad-ass though...

try running closer to 30psi

 

[SloW8]

I have read several threads on the loose steering. My Mojave has the mud tires. Just drove a few hundred miles. The first half of my trip was at 47 PSI. It did wander and the steering feels overboosted and subject to driver induced oscillation. I dropped the PSI on the trail to 22 and the Mojave freaking rocked it on bumpy, undulating dirt roads and desert two track. I re-inflated to 37 for the drive home (by the way, shout out to Tire Fill Assist feature. So cool!) and it felt much better than the ride down but I was subjected to really high winds so I couldn’t get a great read on the steering improvement.
My steering isn’t as bad as some have reported. It’s got a unique feel to it but not wonder into other people lane uncontrollably like some people have said.

 

[satfico]

Thanks, great information. Just activated my Tire Fill Assist. Didn't think i had that feature until i looked in my apps!

 

[SloW8]

Update, just drove with the 37 PSI in each tire and no problems. Drives fine on the freeway at 75.

 

[Mark Doiron]

Good point, did not check the tire pressure. I did notice it had mud terrain tires instead of the all terrain. It did look bad-ass though...

If they changed the tires, what else did the dealer add? If a lift, that could be why it wanders. Cheap lifts look "bad ass", and contribute to a variety of problems on those vehicles. One being wandering steering.

BTW, if you decide that you want Gobi, it isn't being made anymore.

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