2024 Willys versus Mojave

[ZeeJay]

Hey folks,

I'm excited I'm about to be a new owner of one of these models. To preface, I'm all in on 2024 for a variety of reasons, so I do understand I'm spending money otherwise could be saved on a 2023 if I found one that matched my liking. I'm brand new to Jeep stuff, never rode a trail, done mud stuff in my trade-in (F150 Tremor), and pretty green in general here.

I have two similarly decked out models that I'm looking at. Out the door the Mojave is 12k more than the Willys. If I were to get the Mojave I'd keep it bone stock for a long time outside of a sound system, but If I went the Willys, I'd want to do the 2.5 inch lift, and put katskinz on the seats, and get a spray-in bed liner so that's ~5-6k for those three things (plus the sound system too of course.)

Since I'm new, I'm unsure where to make a line-in-the-sand decision on which way to go. On one hand, that additional 12k isn't a burden, but it does mean I finance that 12k instead 'walking away' with the title on the Willys day 1, fully owned. I posed this same question elsewhere with mixed results, but many seemed to lean towards Mojave. I drive ~8k miles a year atm, much more if I get into trail riding and such I'm sure since I could use a new hobby anyway. My wifes vehicle is the 'family vehicle' but is also an EV so if we took a super extended roadtrip where planning became an issue, we'd need to take this for it with our kids.

I'm literally split 50/50 here. Same color, same features I want (Mojave has blind spot, which is nice, but not required), just no idea how to make a blind deterministic decision on if a Mojave is worth ~7k more. I have test drove a Willys, and a sport, but never a Mojave. This one is ~100 miles away and I can't get off work to buy it, so that's why I'm blind to the quality differences of the drive.

Bonus question: Is the new 2.5 lift kit with the remote reservoir Bilstein shocks good? I can't find much about them.

If you have the opportunity to have a title in hand do that and be done. Seriously owning it outright is more gold than trim status. That leaves you 12K difference at your discretion to put back into it.

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[ShadowsPapa]

You'll bust both those stock axles 40 times before you even come close to needing a reinforced frame.

You must have missed the pictures here in a couple of places showing bent frames, no other damage.

 

[Banned]

You must have missed the pictures here in a couple of places showing bent frames, no other damage.

No, I didn't.

 

[Gvsukids]

People talk of the "bolsters" - well, the Overland seats fit my butt and back the same way, maybe better.

Side bolsters.

You must have missed the pictures here in a couple of places showing bent frames, no other damage.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/bent-frame.63410/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...trailer-why-do-you-think-this-happened.28766/

 

[Banned]

Side bolsters.


https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/bent-frame.63410/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...trailer-why-do-you-think-this-happened.28766/

Okay, so that's two out of how many manufactured? Were his axles stock? You feel a Mojave chassis would have prevented either of those failures? There's hundreds of videos of axles breaking. If the OP is wanting to save some money, get the Willy's, if money doesn't matter, get a Rubicon. Putting $7K shocks on a solid axle truck with 8" of wheel travel and light tube Dana 44's is just a complete waste.

 

[Yock]

You must have missed the pictures here in a couple of places showing bent frames, no other damage.

This is my perspective as well. But 12k is paid off on ~6 months-year pretty easily for me, so interest rate penalty is low. Even less since the cash id otherwise dump for that is making 5.5% interest. And the interest rate I got was 6.2% which is low enough difference I’d rather just pay the loan than dump the cash.

I’m already ~5k closer just in the addons I want to do to the Willy’s too. I’d probably get the Willy’s lifted within the first few weeks of owning it, maybe the leather swap later on… or soon. I dunno. I like the appearance of the cloth seats on the Mojave so no desire to change those out.

 

[Yock]

Something I didn’t mention. Unsure how much it matters. Mojave engine was made in USA. Willys is Mexico.

 

[Yock]

Not to confuse the issue but since you mentioned towing I'd suggest looking into a Rubicon, from everything I've seen it has a better tow rating than the Mojave.

Unless there is some reason you're set against one.

Another thought is, you mention owning the Willy's free and clear or having to finance 12K on the Mojave. What would the interest rate be on that 12K? If you own the Willy's outright you can install your upgrades as you can afford them.

the dealership (I like them, I’m locked in) has a rubicon but it’s got so many things unnecessarily tacked on to it I don’t care to spend the money on it. Technology package, leather seats (I don’t like them), tires/rims I don’t like. Maybe I can find one to dealer trade with, but even then the campers I look at max out at 4k pounds, so that’s not a huge concern really.

I just answered the other part of your question above this reply, actually.

 

[Yock]

Sounds like you’re financially stable that you can ‘treat‘ yourself to all the extra bells & whistles the Mojave has over the Willy’s - even with $12 loan.
Someone has already listed all the difference between the two - and, to me….seems like a no brainer.

We bought a 2024 Mojave X a couple months ago and love it!! We replaced a 2016 GMC Canyon. We’re not new to offroading (20 years ago, had a trail rig / rock crawling). We don’t plan on doing any of that extreme stuff - but would love to get out and get it dirty once in a while on the green/level 1 trails. This thing is MORE than equipped to do any basic trails (and a locker in case you get that urge ?). No lifts needed…..just jump in and go!

I love having the 4WAuto (The Canyon had it also). I’m impressed with the stock tires how well they do in the driving rain - but the 4WAuto helps too!

We will be towing a small bass boat… 17.5ft Bass Tracker (3-3500lbs) every weekend hopefully. Had it out for a test run and the Mojave towed it perfectly. The Mojave X has a 6,000lb towing capacity. So, can’t complain there.

Get the Mojave and enjoy it… No need to lift it, no regearing, nothing to research…. The time you would’ve spent researching lifts & such….. you could be in the jeep with the top down, doors off, and having fun!
Good Luck!

I am financially secure but loathe debt outside my home loans. But good points here, and the reminder that time is indeed money. Thank you for your insight!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Something I didn’t mention. Unsure how much it matters. Mojave engine was made in USA. Willys is Mexico.

That is totally weird. 2024 Mojave X window sticker shows engine - United States

Is the Willys a 2023 or a 2024?

2024 Mojave X window sticker -

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Okay, so that's two out of how many manufactured? Were his axles stock? You feel a Mojave chassis would have prevented either of those failures? There's hundreds of videos of axles breaking. If the OP is wanting to save some money, get the Willy's, if money doesn't matter, get a Rubicon. Putting $7K shocks on a solid axle truck with 8" of wheel travel and light tube Dana 44's is just a complete waste.

That's only two we KNOW OF.
Not all Jeep owners, in fact, only a small percentage, likely less than 10%, are on the internet in forums. So it's really hard to say if there were dozens or 2 or 100.
In any case, we know frames get bent because we've seen examples.

There are also videos of Mojaves flying through the air, 10' in the air and landing nicely.

So you have a dislike right off the bat and don't like Mojave and see no need for it. Apparently Jeep buyers don't agree with you because the Mojaves fly off the lots pretty fast.

 

[Yock]

That is totally weird. 2024 Mojave X window sticker shows engine - United States

Is the Willys a 2023 or a 2024?

2024 Mojave X window sticker -

Both are 2024.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Both are 2024.

Same engine - wonder if it's a supply issue?
Strange.

 

[Yock]

Same engine - wonder if it's a supply issue?
Strange.

I’ve seen a lot from both in my searching. It almost seem 60/40 Mexico/usa

 

[FL Robert]

That's only two we KNOW OF.
Not all Jeep owners, in fact, only a small percentage, likely less than 10%, are on the internet in forums. So it's really hard to say if there were dozens or 2 or 100.
In any case, we know frames get bent because we've seen examples.

There are also videos of Mojaves flying through the air, 10' in the air and landing nicely.

So you have a dislike right off the bat and don't like Mojave and see no need for it. Apparently Jeep buyers don't agree with you because the Mojaves fly off the lots pretty fast.

Banned, should be. He hates Mojaves and likes to spread his hate in any thread that mentions them. I think it stems from his regret about not buying a Mojave and justifying his obvious purchasing mistake.

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