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Mojave40

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So this Jeep Mojave is my 3rd Jeep. I started with a 2006 TJ Rubicon and just sold my 2016 JKUR Hard Rock to buy the Gladiator. I'm a Rock Crawler by nature having run most of the difficult trails in California and Utah in my 2016 Rubicon. I'm in Southern California and have both Rocks and Desert to play in. The reason I switched to a Gladiator was for work. I'm a home inspector and wanted more room in my vehicle for ladders and tools.

Jeep Gladiator Building a Mojave on 40's Screenshot_20220409-145229_Facebook[1]

Jeep Gladiator Building a Mojave on 40's Screenshot_20220409-145129_Facebook[1]


So I picked up this Gladiator in early December 2021 in Arizona. Got a fantastic deal on this Mojave buying it in Lake Havasu which is only 4 hours away from my California resisdence. Because I'm a rock crawler I know a Rubicon or even a sport would have made more sense to start the build with but I fell in love with all the Mojave had to offer.

Jeep Gladiator Building a Mojave on 40's 20211210_132343[1]


So the plan was to immediatly get to 40's so I could hang with all my friends who are in JK's on 37's and 40's. So below is a list of modifications either already done or ordered plus a wish list of modifications down the road.

40" Cooper STT Pros on 17" KMC Dirty Harry Wheels
3.5" Clayton Off-Road Overland Plus Lift Kit
Barnes 4WD Pritchett Canyon Bumper
SuperWinch sx10,000 (waiting on bumper to install)
Quadratec Brute Strength Sliders
Fishbone Tackle 1/2 bed rack
Adams Front Drive Shaft 1350
Fox 2.5 Elite Resevoir Shocks with DSC for 4.5 lift
RockJock AntiRock Front Swaybars
Tazer JL Mini Controller
Apex Steering Booster
5.13 Revolution Gears
MagnaFlow Exhaust (Before the axle dump)


Future Plans:
Truss the front and rear axles
Upgrade the Tie-Rod and Drag-Link to an Aluminum Option
Fox Steering Stabilizer
Synergy or Steer Smarts Sector Shaft Brace
Upgrade the cloth interior to a PRP Seat Cover
Hign-Line Fenders / Brace

Jeep Gladiator Building a Mojave on 40's 20220220_165541[1]

Jeep Gladiator Building a Mojave on 40's 20220321_131054[1]
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CerOf

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That looks really good and should perform as good as it looks.
Very tasteful.
 
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Mojave40

Mojave40

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That looks really good and should perform as good as it looks.
Very tasteful.
Thanks. I'm going to get it out on the rocks this coming Sunday to test out the flex and see how the Jeep performs. Most likely will need to go with a fender chop kit also to not rub with the 40's.
 

Blackjeepjk

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Let me start with, sharp rig!
What’s the tape measure read on the coopers, close to 40”?
 

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nice build! Are you planning a front locker?

Are you concerned about the stock axles on 40s, for crawling at least?
 

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Are you concerned about the stock axles on 40s, for crawling at least?
I was thinking the same thing. If you're on 40s and not afraid of the rocks, then IMO just upgrade the axles from the get-go. Heck, my 2014 JK Rubicon 2-door is only on 33s, but I run a front Prorock 44 with 1/2" wall tubes and a custom-built heavy duty D44 rear 'just in case'. I never want to be the guy that has to be dragged off the trail.
 
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Let me start with, sharp rig!
What’s the tape measure read on the coopers, close to 40”?
Mounted on the Jeep with 30 PSI they measure in at exactly 39"
 
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Mojave40

Mojave40

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nice build! Are you planning a front locker?

Are you concerned about the stock axles on 40s, for crawling at least?
Yes, a front locker will be in the future. I'm a fan of electronic lockers personally so I'll probably go with an Eaton E-Locker.

As for axles....I plan on running the Dana 44's for a while. These 44's are a big upgrade over the Jk dana 44's with both a larger axle tube and also thicker. New axles would be amazing but the budget needs to recover after the first round of upgrades. My style is slow and steady on the rocks, I'm not a skinny pedal wheeler.
 

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Yes, a front locker will be in the future. I'm a fan of electronic lockers personally so I'll probably go with an Eaton E-Locker.

As for axles....I plan on running the Dana 44's for a while. These 44's are a big upgrade over the Jk dana 44's with both a larger axle tube and also thicker. New axles would be amazing but the budget needs to recover after the first round of upgrades. My style is slow and steady on the rocks, I'm not a skinny pedal wheeler.
I would recommend doing the RCVs for the front at least as I have seen (on the internet) the u joints fail with 37s and up. I am running 38s on stock axles with a HEMI and will do so until they break. the 40s should not rub with the right backspace.
 
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Mojave40

Mojave40

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How well did the Rubi do on Jack Hammer?

In case you don't recall - here's a sample of the fun you'd have had.
Jack Hammer Trail Review and Guide in Johnson Valley, California in 4K UHD - YouTube

I ran mostly SoCal/Hammers trails for ~35 years. Good times.
I was thinking the same thing. If you're on 40s and not afraid of the rocks, then IMO just upgrade the axles from the get-go. Heck, my 2014 JK Rubicon 2-door is only on 33s, but I run a front Prorock 44 with 1/2" wall tubes and a custom-built heavy duty D44 rear 'just in case'. I never want to be the guy that has to be dragged off the trail.
Knock on wood I've never had to be that guy yet. My JKUR had 37's with stock Rubicon axles that were reinforced and I wheel with guys much more built than me and seen plenty of breakages. Being overbuilt is awesome and I wish I was but I feel confident in my order of operations.

A couple of the choices I've made since I'm on 44 axles is to keep the tires on the lighter side and same for the wheels. I have friends on 37" Nittos and Toyos that are like 110lbs a tire with 40lb beadlocks. My 40" tires are 91 lbs with 30 lb wheels. I know rolling resistance and leverage of 40's are different than 37's but I try to make informed decisions.

Believe me I look at dana 60's all the time and would love to pull the trigger but not yet. Since I've only had the Mojave 3 weeks now I'm going to get used to the extra size on the trails and figure out my next move which will likely be lots of added skid plates.
 
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Mojave40

Mojave40

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I would recommend doing the RCVs for the front at least as I have seen (on the internet) the u joints fail with 37s and up. I am running 38s on stock axles with a HEMI and will do so until they break. the 40s should not rub with the right backspace.
I like the idea of RCV's. My friends that have them rave about them.
 
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Mojave40

Mojave40

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How well did the Rubi do on Jack Hammer?

In case you don't recall - here's a sample of the fun you'd have had.
Jack Hammer Trail Review and Guide in Johnson Valley, California in 4K UHD - YouTube

I ran mostly SoCal/Hammers trails for ~35 years. Good times.
Johnson Valley is a butt kicker. Body damage around every rock and borderline buggy trails. I enjoy the trees so for me it was more Big Bear, Rubicon, Fordyce. I do enjoy the slick rock of Moab and Sand Hollow.

You Johnson Valley Wheelers get my full respect. My jeep is my daily driver and work vehicle so I try to wheel hard but avoid body damage.
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