2024 Willys versus Mojave

[Deadpool392]

Is this your entry into the Jeep world? If so you may have the intention to keep a Mojave stock before you buy and drive it, but that may quickly change. It is even likely to change if you plan to start off-roading, that is the gateway to empty pockets. If you really do prefer the finer things in life, then I would vote for the Mojave, if you are someone who loves to tinker with their vehicle then I would say get the Willys.

When I bought my Rubicon I looked at a Mojave as well, the dealer had already done the MOPAR 2 inch lift and had 35’s on the Mojave. They wanted 10K more then I was able to get my Rubicon (stock) for, the Mojave only had leather seats and the dealer added lift/wheels/tires over the Rubicon. I decided on the Rubicon because of my planned usage and the price difference. I wasn’t sold on the MOPAR lift and felt that I would want to change it too quickly after buying.

The benefit I had when I bought my Rubicon was I still owned my JKU that was lifted and what I mainly took for offroad adventures. Because I had gone through the pains of adding everything the JKU (Sport) was missing, I knew going into the Gladiator I wanted a Rubicon, but then the Mojave was announced so I had to compare them both. I stayed the course and am happy that I did, I ran it stock and didn’t jump right to a lift and wheels/tires. Once I had taken it out a few times and decided to part with the JKU, I knew what I wanted for lift and tires. I also enjoy having nice toys, so I don’t think I would have been happy starting with a sport Gladiator, yes it would have been cheaper but I know myself-buy once, cry once.

Good luck!

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[Yock]

With only reading the subject, the answer is always the Mojave.

I’m sure I’ll feel this way when I finally pull the trigger and get a chance to enjoy it. Until then it’s a battle.

 

[Yock]

Is this your entry into the Jeep world? If so you may have the intention to keep a Mojave stock before you buy and drive it, but that may quickly change. It is even likely to change if you plan to start off-roading, that is the gateway to empty pockets. If you really do prefer the finer things in life, then I would vote for the Mojave, if you are someone who loves to tinker with their vehicle then I would say get the Willys.

When I bought my Rubicon I looked at a Mojave as well, the dealer had already done the MOPAR 2 inch lift and had 35’s on the Mojave. They wanted 10K more then I was able to get my Rubicon (stock) for, the Mojave only had leather seats and the dealer added lift/wheels/tires over the Rubicon. I decided on the Rubicon because of my planned usage and the price difference. I wasn’t sold on the MOPAR lift and felt that I would want to change it too quickly after buying.

The benefit I had when I bought my Rubicon was I still owned my JKU that was lifted and what I mainly took for offroad adventures. Because I had gone through the pains of adding everything the JKU (Sport) was missing, I knew going into the Gladiator I wanted a Rubicon, but then the Mojave was announced so I had to compare them both. I stayed the course and am happy that I did, I ran it stock and didn’t jump right to a lift and wheels/tires. Once I had taken it out a few times and decided to part with the JKU, I knew what I wanted for lift and tires. I also enjoy having nice toys, so I don’t think I would have been happy starting with a sport Gladiator, yes it would have been cheaper but I know myself-buy once, cry once.

Good luck!

I like to tinker with the nicer things in life, haha. WIthin the first few days of ownership I'll make changes for sure, what I'm mostly talking about is the big things I would do to a Willys but not a Mojave, like gearing changes, suspension/lifts, etc. I might do a small lift on the mojave one day with like shock extenders but that would be well down the road, and not a complete overhaul.

But yeah this is my entry into the world. I'm ready to try some trails out this summer.

 

[Volt0]

Not sure that anyone has mentioned this yet, the front fenders on the Mojave/Rubi are high clearance ( others are not ). Look at the top of the front fender in relation to the hood line. What this means is that you can stuff a bigger tire under a Rubi/Mojave than the others before a lift. On a Mojave, as long as you don’t go too wide, you can go 35” with no rubbing, and some folks run 37s with no lift ( or minimal lift of 2” or so ). For comparison, to run 37s on a non Rubi/Mojave you would likely need 3.5” or more of lift, which really messes with caster and drive angles.

 

[dayusmc]

Yeah, but that’s more investment in the Willy’s that I get standard on the Mojave. I’m trying to rationalize the Willy’s over the Mojave, mostly. Make that 12k, which is really 5-6k, wider to make the Willy’s make more sense. Ultimately I think I’ll end up Mojave though.

If you are trying to rationalize dollar for dollar the difference you are wasting your time.

Simply put, Mojave is a lot more than shocks and springs as most people try and play off. You cannot "build" a Mojave from a willys. The frame and the body parts with painting will cost you more than the difference, and would you rather a factory built jeep or one that has been completely disassemble to have a frame put in it.

In the end, decide if you like the features of the Mojave or not, but you cannot realistically build one from a willys. As far as features go, decide what you want and get them.

These "Should I get a Mojave or Rubicon or build a sport" threads are ridiculous. ANYONE who claims you can build a Mojave or Rubicon from a sport for less money is WRONG. When they do their cost breakdown, they conveniently leave things out and say they "are not needed". Not needed, for whom? A lot of people want the reenforced frame, or the electronic sway bar disconnects, or the higher hood, ect... But simply saying they are not needed is ridiculous. Having a 65k jeep is not needed, it is a luxury...

Stop trying to dollar for dollar compare the two. No one has brought up the fact that if you "build" the willys a lit of the stuff you change will not have a warranty, if you buy a Mojave or Rubicon, it will. This thread is just ridiculous with the back and forth...

 

[Gvsukids]

Either way, I get Hydro Blue. Do they show scratches badly?

Yes.

 

[Yock]

Yes.

I’m literally deciding about the hydro blue or anvil right now. You made that slightly harder ?

 

[Jaxmax]

They all scratch, Anvil is a new color, Hydro Blue is an old color, I do get compliments from a lot of non Jeep people about the color, even in four year old Mojave. You need to get in a Mojave , drive one anywhere to see what you think…..Jack

 

[Janster]

The 2024 Mojave Xs keep calling me, I keep turning my hearing aids down..........
Gotta get done paying for our radioactive kitty's treatment, and my hospital and ambulance bills. That's scary.

You know you want it……. C’mon, spoil yourself!!
Give kitty a hug & kiss for me and blessings to good/better health!

 

[Lap it Up]

My vote is a Mojave with 17x9 wheels, 37's, and AEV 2" lift w/ GEO brackets. Makes a clean, simple and very capable gladiator.

 

[Yock]

They all scratch, Anvil is a new color, Hydro Blue is an old color, I do get compliments from a lot of non Jeep people about the color, even in four year old Mojave. You need to get in a Mojave , drive one anywhere to see what you think…..Jack

ifs a Mojave at this point. Just don’t know if it’s going to be hydro blue or anvil. Anvil just doesn’t have blind side. Not a huge deal to me. Mostly choosing on color. I like them both equally for different reasons.

 

[Gvsukids]

ifs a Mojave at this point. Just don’t know if it’s going to be hydro blue or anvil. Anvil just doesn’t have blind side. Not a huge deal to me. Mostly choosing on color. I like them both equally for different reasons.

Anvil might not show the scratches.

 

[Janster]

It's more about me "overbuying" instead of saving money on stuff I would never benefit from. I think in my head the Mojave is 'purpose built' and since I don't have desert around here, it seems I'll never accomplish it's "purpose" From what I've seen it appears it does pretty fine offroading, and I can add on a front locker and sway bar disconnect one day if I get serious about offroading.

Define your definition of *serious offroading*?? Front lockers aren’t for the faint of heart. You can get yourself into a world of trouble when you have both front & rear lockers engaged. You can do just about any type of offroading with a good set of tires, the right *line* and/or a rear locker. Besides….it’ll cost an arm & a leg to install a front locker.

You don’t need no stinking desert to own a Mojave. It’s perfect driving over Pennsylvania pot-holes - sucks them up nicely. Soooo much better than my previously owned GMC Canyon.

The Mojave is - what I consider - a BETTER equipped truck for basic to moderate offroading. No need to lift it…no need to put bigger tires on….Just go and have fun! Has all the bells & whistles (that I would want/expect). Love it!

 

[Yock]

Define your definition of *serious offroading*?? Front lockers aren’t for the faint of heart. You can get yourself into a world of trouble when you have both front & rear lockers engaged. You can do just about any type of offroading with a good set of tires, the right *line* and/or a rear locker. Besides….it’ll cost an arm & a leg to install a front locker.

You don’t need no stinking desert to own a Mojave. It’s perfect driving over Pennsylvania pot-holes - sucks them up nicely. Soooo much better than my previously owned GMC Canyon.

The Mojave is - what I consider - a BETTER equipped truck for basic to moderate offroading. No need to lift it…no need to put bigger tires on….Just go and have fun! Has all the bells & whistles (that I would want/expect). Love it!

I have no idea what that means honestly. In my head it’s doing squirrely stuff I see on the internet where people have insanely modified jeeps anyway and no stock Jeep could handle. I doubt I’d ever need the front, but if I do it’s something that -could- be added.

and yeah exactly. It’s just marketing for “purpose” messing with my preconceived idea of my individual purpose.

 

[DirtyHarry]

So the 2024 willys gladiators don't come with the wide track axles and 4.10s, or the highline fender flares? I thought all that was a given after they included it on the wranglers.

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