2024 Willys versus Mojave

[Yock]

Fair enough, I checked as well and sure enough its not 4.10's, 2.5K buys you 5.13's but not the wider axles. I still think the willy's is the sweet spot which unless you need something from the X packages is where the smart buy lives. It really just eats the lunch of the plain mojave and rubicon packages and makes it the no brainer starting point, especially since in the JT we all get the thick tubes wide or narrow unlike the JL's who have wimpier tubes in the narrow axles.

I guess for me i look at it as i can start with a willys and end up with a rubijave minus wide axles for 6-7K. Thats adding a front locker and regearing, fox 2.5 fully adjustable shocks, hydro bumps, and disconnecting swaybar. How much is wide axles and cool hood worth *shrug*.

I agree, hence the confusion on the decision. This is the last vehicle I want to buy for 15 years so on one hand the Mojave sounds like a better bet. On the other I don’t know how good the new Bilstein shocks on the lift kit are, and if that’ll end up being worse or better.

Sponsored

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If Willys had the 4.10 and/or option for wider axles it would be much more in favor of the Willy’s. It has neither of those though.

I've scoured the order guide and can't see anything other than standard axles and 3.73 ratio.
Willys - 2TW - has a lot of stuff like LED lighting and so on, but not the 4.10 unless I missed it in all of those pages.

 

[Yock]

I've scoured the order guide and can't see anything other than standard axles and 3.73 ratio.
Willys - 2TW - has a lot of stuff like LED lighting and so on, but not the 4.10 unless I missed it in all of those pages.

Right. Here's the ones I'm looking at. The main Mojave I'm eyeballing is the Hydro Blue Pearl one, but the Anvil one is pretty attractive too. I like the color choices the most (I love blue), but the blind side sounds appealing since my last vehicle had it.

 

[Yock]

Right. Here's the ones I'm looking at. The main Mojave I'm eyeballing is the Hydro Blue Pearl one, but the Anvil one is pretty attractive too. I like the color choices the most (I love blue), but the blind side sounds appealing since my last vehicle had it.

Seems like that link isn't working for me, maybe this'll work.

 

[Gvsukids]

This is the last vehicle I want to buy for 15 years so

Good luck!

 

[PuddleJumper]

So many variables, and some things you haven't mentioned and may not have considered.

Having owned a Mojave for over two years now, there isn't much I don't like about it, but there are some things I might would do differently on a new one.

1. Selec-Trac is a selectable automatic four wheel drive option that some prefer if they do a fair amount of driving on slippery roads. It could be particularly handy if you drive in areas that may have snowy or icy conditions on parts of the roads, whereas the system can get you into 4WD much quicker and on demand vs you manually shifting from 2H to 4H. Regardless of which trim I chose, I'd look for one with Selec-Trac.

2. What kinds of trails? - Mojave will have rear lockers standard, as well as some other features that are handy on specific kinds of trails, but not as useful as Rubicon's features on rocks and trails requiring a slower crawl and front and rear lockers.

3. If it is Mojave at stock height, I'd still install the slightly longer Mopar control arms to give it just a touch more positive caster.

These features set the Mojave apart, and are what account for much of the price difference.

Steel hood with faux scoop
Reinforced frame
Bolstered seats
Fox 2.5" internal bypass remote reservoir shocks
Wide Dana 44 axles
Cast iron knuckles
2.72:1 low range (up to 50 mph in 4 low)
4.10 gearing
1" taller than Rubicon in stock configuration
Hydraulic jounce bumpers
Strengthened front upper control arms
Strengthened lower control arm mounts
Strenghtened cross members
Reinforced shock towers
Rear track bar has a larger outer diameter, larger bushings, and a higher strength tube
Wheels 7.5 mm shallower backspacing than Rubicon
"Racing grips" steering wheel
Rear locker can run in 4 high in off-road plus mode
Orange things

some notes to add to this,

reinforced frame is just the diesel frame and knuckles

2.72:1 T-case is the same on every gladiator except the rubicon to I think it only stands to mention that paired with offroad plus does it stand above the other trim levels.

I have a stock rubicon and i compared it to my Mojave ride height wise (when it was stock) the Mojave sat a 1/2 in higher not the advertised 1in higher and the rears match exactly. The hydro bumps don't add much to the lift. I got a good look at em when throwing spacers in and they aren't the billet pucks everyone would have you believe. they have just enough plate to bolt to the perch. bout just over a 1/4in. My mojave still only rides a 1/2in over the rubicon know with a 3/4 spacer due to the steel bumper and winch on it. the rear sits 3/4 in taller with a spacer as well.

some Mojave's have aluminum hoods, no way to tell how and when Jeep puts them on. Mine is, makes no sense cus all others i've seen were steel, but others on this forum have shown they got aluminum too. normally found out from hail damage and attempted PDR. I found mine out when i wanted to mount my CB antenna magnetically to the hood till my 40in whip came in.

 

[Yock]

Good luck!

I feel this in several different ways.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

some notes to add to this,

reinforced frame is just the diesel frame and knuckles

2.72:1 T-case is the same on every gladiator except the rubicon to I think it only stands to mention that paired with offroad plus does it stand above the other trim levels.

I have a stock rubicon and i compared it to my Mojave ride height wise (when it was stock) the Mojave sat a 1/2 in higher not the advertised 1in higher and the rears match exactly. The hydro bumps don't add much to the lift. I got a good look at em when throwing spacers in and they aren't the billet pucks everyone would have you believe. they have just enough plate to bolt to the perch. bout just over a 1/4in. My mojave still only rides a 1/2in over the rubicon know with a 3/4 spacer due to the steel bumper and winch on it. the rear sits 3/4 in taller with a spacer as well.

some Mojave's have aluminum hoods, no way to tell how and when Jeep puts them on. Mine is, makes no sense cus all others i've seen were steel, but others on this forum have shown they got aluminum too. normally found out from hail damage and attempted PDR. I found mine out when i wanted to mount my CB antenna magnetically to the hood till my 40in whip came in.

To add to -
The bump stops won't impact height, just soften the blow after you come off of a Dukes of Hazard jump from 15 feet in the air. They help when running from Roscoe P. Coltrane.

I measured multiple Mojaves new on the lot and found - tires may well matter - the one with M/T tires sat higher than the ones with A/T tires. I have found a difference even in the brand of tires considered to be 33" tires (although now we're picking nits at fractions of an inch at best)
But the Mojaves and Mojave Xs I measured and compared to my Overland - it was no big difference.

Weird on the hoods - a year or two ago we'd have said "they ALL have steel hoods, period" but unless we have members trying to hold rocks next to the hood to see if they stick, apparently Jeep has snuck some lighter hoods into play. If I think again of trading, I'm going to walk the lots and find one with an aluminum hood. Mojave payload sucks as it is - the lighter hood can't hurt. And if i did get one with a steel hood, I'd be open to trading with someone who has an aluminum hood (as long as it was BLUE)

Transfer cases get a bit muddy.
Yeah, they are all the same except some are more the same than others..........
Rubicon has a deeper low than the others. The 4L ratio is lower.
Should we toss in Selec-Trac or the Rubicon version of the automatic t-case, still called Rock-Trac?
Up through the 23 model year you could get most levels with either the standard part time transfer case or the automatic Selec-Trac - (including Rubicon but they still called it Rock-Trac)
It added a 4H automatic position - which I love for snow plowing!
i ordered my 2022 Overland with it.
Then for the 2024 model year they screwed us over and made the Selec-Trac only available in the X models Rubicon or Mojave - no other level.

So there's the standard part time transfer cases used in all except Rubicon and the X models,
The Rock-Trac transfer case used in Rubicon with the lower low ratio,
The Rock-Trac transfer case used in Rubicon with the lower low ratio but having the 4H auto position (only in the Rubicon X in 240
The Selec-Trac transfer case used in Mojave X in 2024 model year, in other levels prior to 24.

Whew, thanks a lot Jeep - for confusing things so much and in some cases, screwing over the poor buyer looking for certain combinations no longer available.

 

[KevinC]

I've owned a 2020 Rubicon and now own a 2023 Mojave. The 2024 Willys is appealing. The Rubicon and Mojave look better stock than any other model.

If you indeed plan on keeping your next vehicle 15 years, get the Mojave.

 

[PuddleJumper]

To add to -
The bump stops won't impact height, just soften the blow after you come off of a Dukes of Hazard jump from 15 feet in the air. They help when running from Roscoe P. Coltrane.

I measured multiple Mojaves new on the lot and found - tires may well matter - the one with M/T tires sat higher than the ones with A/T tires. I have found a difference even in the brand of tires considered to be 33" tires (although now we're picking nits at fractions of an inch at best)
But the Mojaves and Mojave Xs I measured and compared to my Overland - it was no big difference.


Transfer cases get a bit muddy.
Yeah, they are all the same except some are more the same than others..........
Rubicon has a deeper low than the others. The 4L ratio is lower.
Should we toss in Selec-Trac or the Rubicon version of the automatic t-case, still called Rock-Trac?
Up through the 23 model year you could get most levels with either the standard part time transfer case or the automatic Selec-Trac - (including Rubicon but they still called it Rock-Trac)
It added a 4H automatic position - which I love for snow plowing!
i ordered my 2022 Overland with it.
Then for the 2024 model year they screwed us over and made the Selec-Trac only available in the X models Rubicon or Mojave - no other level.

So there's the standard part time transfer cases used in all except Rubicon and the X models,
The Rock-Trac transfer case used in Rubicon with the lower low ratio,
The Rock-Trac transfer case used in Rubicon with the lower low ratio but having the 4H auto position (only in the Rubicon X in 240
The Selec-Trac transfer case used in Mojave X in 2024 model year, in other levels prior to 24.

Whew, thanks a lot Jeep - for confusing things so much and in some cases, screwing over the poor buyer looking for certain combinations no longer available.

Yeah i noticed the Mojave has an asterisk when declaring most ground clearance. MT tires, no tow package, etc

Selec-trac does make it muddy. My Mojave doesn't have it, i specifically opted out when i put my build in. It was recommended by a friend who's had Jeeps far longer than me. He sold his rubicon JL cus it ate its first t-case due to a failure in its automatic engagement and the dealer wouldn't down grade him to a non selec-trac per his request under warranty. So he sold it and bought one without it. I think its a great feature for most, but to me coming from Chevy's and Toyotas with with electronic engagement, they were nothing but headaches that failed when you needed them to work the most. Its one of the primary things that drove me to jeep, apart from the FAD i much prefer the cable and linkage no BS "i said 4x4, not asked dammit". I've also discover a way to manual engage the FAD trailside if it should nanny me out. Jeep made some cool changes like adding the rear locker to the Willys but they definitely made some stupid changes as you stated. surprising I've found the gladiator to do quite well on snow and ice in 4hi or even 2HI with the Wildpeaks. With an even better tire i imagine its only more confidence inspiring. However you just can't beat selec-trac immediate ass coverage for when you get caught with your pants down. I have it on my rubicon because that's the girls truck for crappy weather. I feel better knowing they don't have to know what they are doing, they just have to drive and the rubi does the rest.

Btw you may not need the aluminum hood if you get a Mojave with a steel one. I have a feeling they come with specific springs for that. I've noticed quite a few Mojaves have silver springs but mine are black. So there may be a correlation to sliver/different springs to match the steel hood.

Also idk if the bumpstops would save a 15 jump. 4ft was incredibly hard to land and i wouldn't recommend doing that or greater unless your on some really loose sand or snow to cushion you.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Btw you may not need the aluminum hood if you get a Mojave with a steel one. I have a feeling they come with specific springs for that. I've noticed quite a few Mojaves have silver springs but mine are black. So there may be a correlation to sliver/different springs to match the steel hood.

Yeah, the springs compensate for the ride height - but not payload.
On the lot Mojave X with all of the trimmings - about 850 payload.
500 pound tongue weight plus me plus wife plus cooler, payload GONE.
On the plus side, lest I sound really hating of these things or think it's all negative - that 850 already accounts for steel bumpers and skid plate and those crazy heavy rock rails.
So swapping on my RSE power steps would be a wash for weight, all I'd be adding is a winch, taking the payload for a Mojave X down to about 780 pounds. OK, I guess i didn't make it sound as positive as intended LOL

Selec-trac does make it muddy. My Mojave doesn't have it, i specifically opted out when i put my build in. It was recommended by a friend who's had Jeeps far longer than me. He sold his rubicon JL cus it ate its first t-case due to a failure in its automatic engagement and the dealer wouldn't down grade him to a non selec-trac per his request under warranty. So he sold it and bought one without it. I think its a great feature for most,

You nailed it - for someone like me, perfect, maybe even necessary (especially when my wife has a handicap that would prevent her from shifting into and out of 4H when needed) - it's a perfect fit for some, but others maybe they want to dig deeper before deciding.
If it was perfect for all - it would be standard, I suppose, but no, knowing Jeep - maybe not, HA.

 

[Jaxmax]

Yock, A lot of guys think Mojaves are only good for driving in the desert and I blame Jeep PR with all the ads saying that, the Mojave is one step below the Rubicon,
which has the front locker and lower geared transfer case, I prefer the Apex sway bar disconnects, just for less things to fail and not having it disconnect by itself. The Mojave rides great although others say they are terrible , Mojave tows about much as everything other then the Rubicon and Sport Max Tow. The payload on my Mojave is too similar to Rubicons at 1127 lbs. and the 24 Mojave X is reported to have a lower payload , but bear in mind that has steel front and rear bumpers. I also am planning on having my Mojave long time, 16 plus years, and have had it for four now. Comparing the Willy’s to the Mojave and saying it is 12K more is incorrect, adding the regearing, lift , leather interior , bigger tires is all off the $12,000, that number in difference should be more like $4500-5,000 perhaps, then you need to really look at what else is standard on the Mojave like the big info screen , wide axles and anything else you might want. I see that you are getting all of it and also sense the Mojave will be in your driveway. You will love it, only thing that I really changed on mine was to put MaxTow springs on the rear to help with the cap and fridge weight.
As for the color you must be good looking and smart as most of us HydroBlue Mojave owners are, just ask Lunentucker! …..Jack

 

[Yock]

Yock, A lot of guys think Mojaves are only good for driving in the desert and I blame Jeep PR with all the ads saying that, the Mojave is one step below the Rubicon,
which has the front locker and lower geared transfer case, I prefer the Apex sway bar disconnects, just for less things to fail and not having it disconnect by itself. The Mojave rides great although others say they are terrible , Mojave tows about much as everything other then the Rubicon and Sport Max Tow. The payload on my Mojave is too similar to Rubicons at 1127 lbs. and the 24 Mojave X is reported to have a lower payload , but bear in mind that has steel front and rear bumpers. I also am planning on having my Mojave long time, 16 plus years, and have had it for four now. Comparing the Willy’s to the Mojave and saying it is 12K more is incorrect, adding the regearing, lift , leather interior , bigger tires is all off the $12,000, that number in difference should be more like $4500-5,000 perhaps, then you need to really look at what else is standard on the Mojave like the big info screen , wide axles and anything else you might want. I see that you are getting all of it and also sense the Mojave will be in your driveway. You will love it, only thing that I really changed on mine was to put MaxTow springs on the rear to help with the cap and fridge weight.
As for the color you must be good looking and smart as most of us HydroBlue Mojave owners are, just ask Lunentucker! …..Jack

Thanks for your insight. If there was a Rubicon available nearby without the tech package I'd probably go that route, honestly, but I do like the aesthetics and features of the Mojave more, so that seems to be the route I'm intended to take. Either way, I get Hydro Blue. Do they show scratches badly? Where di you get the MaxTow springs? Did you do that yourself?

Also, my mom seems to think I am, so I must be!

 

[Jaxmax]

I got the Max Tow springs off a guy here on marketplace they are pretty cheap even from Allmoparparts.com ,just ask Benny on site sponser here to get you part numbers and ask for a discount code. The Mojave springs are taller then the Max Tow springs by about 1 3/8”, so I used an Icon 1 3/8” aluminum spacer, and there is a set on marketplace right now. Chris a guy called “White Rabbit” here set me up with the MaxTow swap, but he did caution use them for having a cap on and some weight as the ride is tough with an empty bed…..Jack

RIP White Rabbit!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

and the 24 Mojave X is reported to have a lower payload , but bear in mind that has steel front and rear bumpers.

Steel hood (at least in most cases) those steel bumpers front and rear with bed guards on the rear, and very heavy rails along the rocker panels that likely weigh in at 50 pounds each.
Then there's the weight of the power seats.

GVWR is 6140.


From a 2024 Mojave X. Maybe the metallic paint has something to do with it?
860 pounds payload. It's a heavy truck!

I got the Max Tow springs off a guy here on marketplace they are pretty cheap even from Allmoparparts.com ,just ask Benny on site sponser here to get you part numbers and ask for a discount code. The Mojave springs are taller then the Max Tow springs by about 1 3/8”, so I used a Icon 1 3/8” aluminum spacer, and there is a set on marketplace bright now. Chris a guy called “White Rabbit” here set me up with the MaxTow swap, but he did caution use them for having a cap on and some weight as the ride is tough with an empty bed…..Jack

RIP White Rabbit!

I have a pair of rear max tow springs here. I never put them back under my 2022 when I traded my 20 in. They had been under my 2020 and did fine although it was still a bit more sag with only 500 pounds tongue weight than I expected.
I am using air bags under my 2022 as I don't have a constant load so going with different rear springs made little sense to me. For those with racks and so on - springs make more sense.
If I ever trade, again, I won't put these max tow springs under a new truck, I'll move my air bags over.
So there's these max tow rear springs sitting here..................

Sponsored