Buyers remorse but trim not Jeep.

[Dkman71]

I have a 23 gladiator overland. It’s my first jeep. Always liked them but thought the price was too high. Well I noticed an offer for a 61 k overland for 45 k. I’m a fan of a good deal. Figured for the price. Why not. I bought it. Well to my surprise. It must have brought out the kid still In me. Well I love this thing way more than imagined I would. Well now I am
Thinking the way I use it. I should have got a Mojave. I assumed I would like the luxury feature more of the overland but now the Mojave is calling my name. Not sure if I’m going to act on it yet. But either way I’m enjoying this truck. Did some light trails and once again. Didn’t think I would but I’m all in now. Oh well maybe I’ll catch a desperate dealer that wants to give me an incredible trade deal. I have put 8 k

You can build up better than any stock trim, not really sure how that's a salient point. What you can't do is lift any trim (other than mopar 2" installed by a dealer) without an extended warranty being completely voided. Extended warranties are not covered by Magnuson Moss as they are actually service contracts, not warranties, and the language on the Mopar MaxCare very specifically states a non-mopar lift, or a mopar lift not installed by a dealer, voids the entirety of the "warranty".

And with my list of wants being: 35s on a manual transmission gladiator with a mopar maxcare, my only choices were rubicon or mojave. I made the decision that was right for me. And having had the pleasure of driving a diesel for the first time last week (great unit. rubicon diesel softtop) i can confidently say with an even fresher memory than from my test-drives 2 years ago that the rubicon rides great on good pavement, but not as nice as the mojave when you hit bumps at speed.

For some more controversial points:
1. I also now feel comfortable saying the diesel certainly feels more eager, but it doesn't actually feel any faster.
2. Softtops are fantastic. Not as good as a sunrider replacing the freedom panels on a hardtop, but when you consider the costs involved (at my time of purchase 1600 for hardtop and 700 for premium sunrider vs 600 for the premium softtop) i should have just saved the extra $1700. the sunrider/hardtop combo is the best top solution possible on a gladiator, just not $1700 better than a softtop good.

You’re putting too much weight on a factory/extended warranty. Look around a bit and you’ll find a shop that does better work than the dealer - Mopar lifts are nothing great. If you put a 3.5” quality lift on your Jeep and your radio dies they’re still honoring the warranty. You wouldn’t even want the dealership touching your finely tuned suspension, anyways. I have first hand experience with this…. Mopar 2” suspension bottomed out and wasn’t good for anything other than looks. Replaced it all with better and never looked back. You do you, though.

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[Teqsand]

If it was me I would not trade for a mojave... if anything I'd go rubicon. But I'd decide on a plan for your use now.

I went after mojave when I was looking but every one I found was over priced, and I didn't realize some of the features I'd be giving up vs a rubi. I went rubicon for the front and rear lockers with electronic disconnects and never looked back. The ride of my rubicon is comparable to the mojave, i noticed no difference on the road.... I'm sure mojave is better at high speed off road, but that is not the trails we have in tn or my style offroad, I ride more technical slow trails and having both front and rear locked along with away bar disconnects from the driver's seat meant more to me than the high speed capability.

100% concur with this..... and if you lift and change shocks on the mojave, the point of the mojave goes out the window....

 

[PuddleJumper]

Test drove both the Rubi and Mojave had identically rides. The previous statement is 100% true

I own a rubi and a mojave and they do not. lol. Rubi is getting new shocks cus it rides too under dampened. They have similar dynamics but how they handle imperfections in the road is where they start to drastically differ. The mojave navigate bumps, whoops, and ruts a lot better but has a decent bit of body roll due to its much softer sway bars. My rubi resists body roll quite well but rides like a spring mattress. And its a nightmare to tow with compared to the Mojave as well. I'll be changing out the aluminum body foxes for red bodies i picked up the other day to fix the towing issue. But i know for fact it still wont ride like the Mojave. sure to most a 10 min ride down a asphalt strip at 60mph and you won't really see a splitting difference. Own both and use em everywhere and the differences are night and day. I much prefer to daily my Mojave. The Rubicon is just a stock spare at this point. I only really want it to tow as it has 1000lbs more capacity sticker. I've wheeled all over VA, West VA, a bit of PA, NC and SC. Never needed that front locker. the rear always cuts it just fine. I do like the sway bar disconnect but i prefer the hydro bumps in most situations. A Gladiator isn't the best crawler anyway as she's a tad long and has an ass. Both trims are great and I highly recommend either. But if i ever start doing far more technical stuff, I'll get a 24' willys 2 door with the rear locker. and that'll be far better.

 

[PuddleJumper]

The only thing I don't like about my Mojave is how the shocks squeak when it's cold outside.
I've been managing that with some silicone spray, but it doesn't last long if it's been raining.
Better seats, better rides, better built frame and suspension.

If you're a crawler, get the Rubicon.
If you're like most of us and the majority of your miles are spent on pavement, it's Mojave.
Or you COULD build up your Overland.

your shocks squeak? mine have been dead silent. My rubi foxes squeak tho.

 

[johnchabin]

I own a rubi and a mojave and they do not. lol. Rubi is getting new shocks cus it rides too under dampened. They have similar dynamics but how they handle imperfections in the road is where they start to drastically differ. The mojave navigate bumps, whoops, and ruts a lot better but has a decent bit of body roll due to its much softer sway bars. My rubi resists body roll quite well but rides like a spring mattress. And its a nightmare to tow with compared to the Mojave as well. I'll be changing out the aluminum body foxes for red bodies i picked up the other day to fix the towing issue. But i know for fact it still wont ride like the Mojave. sure to most a 10 min ride down a asphalt strip at 60mph and you won't really see a splitting difference. Own both and use em everywhere and the differences are night and day. I much prefer to daily my Mojave. The Rubicon is just a stock spare at this point. I only really want it to tow as it has 1000lbs more capacity sticker. I've wheeled all over VA, West VA, a bit of PA, NC and SC. Never needed that front locker. the rear always cuts it just fine. I do like the sway bar disconnect but i prefer the hydro bumps in most situations. A Gladiator isn't the best crawler anyway as she's a tad long and has an ass. Both trims are great and I highly recommend either. But if i ever start doing far more technical stuff, I'll get a 24' willys 2 door with the rear locker. and that'll be far better.

I’m curious to hear your review of the red shocks. Mine came with the red shocks, and I think they’re properly damped.

 

[PuddleJumper]

100% concur with this..... and if you lift and change shocks on the mojave, the point of the mojave goes out the window....

depends on how far u take it. U can keep the hydro bumps and the deisel frame is a perfect candidate for a hemi swap. but with the Willys having a factory rear locker now. If i had to do it again in 24'. I'd build a max tow willys. but I'm happy with my Mojave and she's got some stuff that makes her worth more than just her shocks and springs. That hood and interior are pretty sweet imo.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I’m curious to hear your review of the red shocks. Mine came with the red shocks, and I think they’re properly damped.

I'll let ya know when i get em swapped on.

 

[CyberHero]

I own a rubi and a mojave and they do not. lol. Rubi is getting new shocks cus it rides too under dampened. They have similar dynamics but how they handle imperfections in the road is where they start to drastically differ. The mojave navigate bumps, whoops, and ruts a lot better but has a decent bit of body roll due to its much softer sway bars. My rubi resists body roll quite well but rides like a spring mattress. And its a nightmare to tow with compared to the Mojave as well. I'll be changing out the aluminum body foxes for red bodies i picked up the other day to fix the towing issue. But i know for fact it still wont ride like the Mojave. sure to most a 10 min ride down a asphalt strip at 60mph and you won't really see a splitting difference. Own both and use em everywhere and the differences are night and day. I much prefer to daily my Mojave. The Rubicon is just a stock spare at this point. I only really want it to tow as it has 1000lbs more capacity sticker. I've wheeled all over VA, West VA, a bit of PA, NC and SC. Never needed that front locker. the rear always cuts it just fine. I do like the sway bar disconnect but i prefer the hydro bumps in most situations. A Gladiator isn't the best crawler anyway as she's a tad long and has an ass. Both trims are great and I highly recommend either. But if i ever start doing far more technical stuff, I'll get a 24' willys 2 door with the rear locker. and that'll be far better.

Cool story but it’s wrong I did extensive research. I’m sure if I was racing off-road I’d give your post any thought but for everything else it’s extremely thin margin of difference if any but thanks for input! I’ll trust my research and experiences

 

[dayusmc]

My experience..
I bought a Gobi Gladiator because it looked like the humvees we had in the Corps in the 90s, it was a sport.

I figured I could just upgrade everything I wanted to make it like a Mojave, I was wrong. The shocks and springs are not the only difference, and are not a big deal to change. In fact you can sell them for good money if you change them out.

I had buyers remorse after I started to try and upgrade everything on my sport, the cost was WAY too much. Bad luck hit me (kind of), I totaled my sport. Then I bought the Gobi Mojave, and I love it. I lifted it and changed the shocks (I put my Mojave shocks on my wife's JLU). You can also keep the stock Mojave shocks and use shock extensions.

Yes the shocks have to be rebuilt after 40k or 50k, so do all the rest... Anyone that says other shocks do not has not rebuilt shocks. I use to own a suspension business and have taken MANY shocks apart. The reason they all need to be rebuilt is dirty oil breakdown and that happens to all shocks.

I wanted some of the features the Mojave like, Hood, Cowl, Frame, etc .. that are not cost effective to change. Mojave is the only choice for me. Everyone has their own preferences, otherwise they would only sell one model in one color with no options...

 

[PuddleJumper]

Cool story but it’s wrong I did extensive research. I’m sure if I was racing off-road I’d give your post any thought but for everything else it’s extremely thin margin of difference if any but thanks for input! I’ll trust my research and experiences

agree to disagree.

 

[Teqsand]

I’m curious to hear your review of the red shocks. Mine came with the red shocks, and I think they’re properly damped.

My 22 JTRD had oem fox, SUCKED, I did the TSB fox upgrade and didn't see much improvement... my 23 JTRD had red shocks and were hands down the best of the 3 no question...

 

[Mx113]

I trade vehicles pretty often, so resell values are important to me. You can spend all you want to on a sport and make it into anything you want. But when it comes time to sell or trade, you’ve still got a sport. That’s the reason I’d buy a Rubicon or a Mojave from the start. I chose Rubicon because I’m old and that’s been the trim that’s held its value the best for a long time. I also bought the 6 speed. Mostly because I enjoy driving them (even tho this one has been a challenge), but when it comes time to sell, there’s always gonna be old guys like me looking for them. That’s especially true with the close out 2023 models. Higher trims could be bought for lower trim prices. Just one man’s opinion that’s worth exactly what you’re paying for it …. Nothing

 

[ZeeJay]

Well the good news any of them will look good waxed so there that…..

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