Buyers remorse but trim not Jeep.

[Gabbman]

I'd agree if we were talking about Subaru Outbacks and the difference of whether to spring for the "wilderness" trim level or stick to something a little less expensive. It's an Outback, and it's got a finite amount of capability regardless of how much you like to go out on dirt roads.

The dilemma with Gladiators is that a driver can easily get to a point where they can outperform the hardware in a non-Rubicon, and getting a Gladiator to Rubicon capability is always cheaper if you do it from the factory (as opposed to Jeeps of yester-generation, which were regularly a wash if not cheaper on the DIY side).

it's impossible to know if you are going to be a mall-crawler or a "lets get the dogs in the back and head to Utah" type until you get in the thing and start going. I personally find it addictive, so I traded up for a Rubicon because I got stuck with open diffs and bottomed out one too many times after a dozen visits to Windrock and having to put too much effort into determining which trails were "easy enough" for my Gladiator Sport.

That’s sooooo true. I didn’t think and still don’t know why I enjoy driving through 2 feet of mud or over rocks. But I do !!!! Never made sense to me until I did it

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[Zachanadandy]

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

If you aren't driving aggressively on your test drive or hitting pot holes and bumps at high speeds then I'd agree with that statement. The shocks and therefore the bump handling capability are not even close even on road. If your use is mostly slower more technical trails then the rubicon is the better choice. If you're going to send it through desert washes at freeway speeds then the mojave wins by a landslide. If you're just buying either as a street truck I'd say a ram 1500 with the v8 is the much better buy.

 

[Gabbman]

It’s funny how things changed. I wanted the overland for the leather /running boards standard and liked the standard wheels. Which after I went off road. Those are all negatives lol. I have always been into comfort. Now I’m thinking I want neoprene seats to wash off after I drive through the mud with the doors off. lol.

 

[Zachanadandy]

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.

How cold does it need to be for the squeaking to occur? It's been in the 20's a few mornings but that's about as cold as it gets out here. Never a squeak out of mine. 9k miles so far.

 

[Lunentucker]

How cold does it need to be for the squeaking to occur? It's been in the 20's a few mornings but that's about as cold as it gets out here. Never a squeak out of mine. 9k miles so far.

Mine start doing it around 45 F

 

[whiteglad]

It is a nice ride. Switched places with a friend and drove his Mojave and he drove mine. Would have gotten one, but we bought ours before they were announced.

Me too. I had a 2020 max tow but got the Mojave disease.

 

[salvino]

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 miles on it in 3 months. I can only say. A truck comes in handy more than you may imagine

If you plan on going all in on offloading there are basically three choices. Get a Rubicon or Mohave and you are close to ready. Or get a sport and do a ground up build. It really depends on how much and how adventurous of off roading you will do. Definitely do your research, this is a great site to get feedback and ideas. Welcome to the club, you're going to have a lot of fun. Be safe!

 

[TRUE_GRIT]

I didn't go thru the 5 pages to see, but I would check with the car buying sites first to see what a trade number would be. A friend of mine is trying to do what you are trying to do and he had a stroke! After they quoted him the trade number it made him feel like he bent over and they stuck a tree with sand on it up the you who! It even me feel sick and look at what my Rubi is worth now! Ouch!

 

[Gabbman]

All great comments and advice. I may buy a 2 door wrangler to off road and not worry about it

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

I got the Rubi based on the following logic:

I got the diesel, so I got most if not all (maybe a few more) strengthening enhancements that the Mojave got, e.g., cast iron knuckles, reinforced spring perches, frame gussets, cast iron steering box etc. I got upgraded wide track axles from the Max tow and/or diesel.

I planned on lifting it so suspension doesn’t matter. It’s all getting replaced. Having had used Fox Racing products going back to the 90s, all their crap was getting thrown away anyway.

The Mojave has a higher T-case ratio, so it can run in 4-low at higher speeds. I’ve never had any problem hauling ass on fire roads, sand etc, in 2WD in my Jeeps or pickups. I’m not sold on the idea of driving any stock vehicle at Baja racing speeds. I just don’t buy that sales pitch. I’ve watched too many videos of guys snapping their Raptors in half.

If you play in rocks or mud you want lockers. Otherwise you’ll be that guy someone else has to pull out because you attempted an obstacle you shouldn’t have. If you’re only desert running, okay, but otherwise lockers matter a lot.

If you plan on an axle swap, then lockers don’t matter either, but neither does suspension. At that point only the frame enhancements are important so that might be a reason to get the Mojave. Again, just get a diesel.

The Mojave hood is cool. But isn’t it also only semi functional like the Rubi? The only functional hood I’ve had was from AEV. If you’re really into a hood scoop, by the 392 hood and applicable cowling and fender bits to make it fit or buy and aftermarket hood.

I didn’t care what’s on the side or of the hood. It could say “Cat Turds” for all I care.

The point is that the deltas immediately begin to mean less if and when you start modifying it, other than compatibility. I can attest to running into that problem because of the modified frame. At one point Mojave’s had the same problem. Probably less so now that the aftermarket has caught up.

 

[ColoradoCantu]

I went thru this same decision process and decided on the Mojave. If you are planning to Rock Crawl and accept all the risk that comes with that, the Rubicon is the way to go. I went with the Mojave for overlanding purposes and it can handle quite a bit of rock crawling with just the rear locker. The Mojave is desert rated which means it has a larger radiator, larger alternator and built to run fast in sand and dirt . Both the Mojave and Rubicon models receive frame and suspension reinforcements. However, the Mojave's frame has been specifically strengthened to withstand the rigors of high-speed desert driving. The Rubicon is equipped with the Rock-Trac 4x4 system, which includes a 4:1 low-range gear ratio for enhanced crawling and climbing capabilities. On the other hand, the Mojave features the Command-Trac 4x4 system with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, optimized for high-speed off-road driving. The Rubicon utilizes Jeep's renowned heavy-duty suspension system with front and rear locking differentials, giving it exceptional articulation and wheel travel for conquering challenging obstacles. In contrast, the Mojave is equipped with just a rear locking diff with specially tuned high-performance FOX shocks and front hydraulic jounce bumpers, designed to handle high-speed desert runs with enhanced stability and control. Which is why the Mojave handles and drives a bit better in my opinion. An exclusive feature of the Mojave, the Off-Road Plus system, allows drivers to customize throttle, transmission, and traction control settings for specific off-road conditions. This feature enhances performance and control when navigating sandy or rocky terrains. You can always add a sway bar disconnect and front locker to the Mojave if you feel you need it in the future. Also, there tons of Rubicons out there and far less Mojave's which look a bit cooler with the hood scoop

 

[JKenTex]

That's true, if you're going to do what a Rubicon is built for. If you're not going to be crawling, much, Mojave may the better choice.

That's not because 1 is better than the other, it's because each is better than the other in doing what each is built for. If it's a street queen, whichever looks the coolest to whoever's going to drive it, is the best.

 

[bluemoon110]

I didn't read every post either. But I didn't need to because almost everyone has a different idea of what is best and that's OK because you need to meet your needs and nobody else. I got the Gladiator urge as soon as they came on the market but had to wait a couple of years to make it right for me. Unfortunately for me, it was the Spring of 2022 before I was able to make the move. It was near the end of the high water mark for demand and price. Missed out on the 2023 "Deep Discounts." When I went looking I set myself a budget of 50K and hoped I could be satisfied with what I could find. I wore out the Jeep build site and thought I wanted the Overland trim but it was coming in a little over my budget without any dealer discount. I went to the dealership where I bought the Jeep I was driving with 70% of my budget cash in hand hoping for a little help as a repeat customer. I looked at the Overlands on the lot and then went inside to talk turkey but the Overland priced out more than I needed to invest. The salesman I worked with before was very helpful and said "Let's look at the Sport S trim, with different packages you can get all the convenience features except a leather top dash. Plus you can get some of the performance features (44 axels, 4.11 gear, largest towing package with other HD stuff)". They only had 2 or 3 Sport S models on the lot at the time. After pricing it out (no Max Tow, didn't quite grasp that at the time) with all the conveniences and LUX I wanted except Alpine sound (waste of money) & large display with Nav. (got that standalone), heated seats and wheel (no need for them in SC, winter on last 2 Wks. here). Oh, and the wife wanted leather seats (I wanted cloth) so leather it is. Also got factory running boards (for her), a hardtop, remote start, proximity unlock, and blackout grill. And there was more available. I ordered up that 2022 Sting Gray Sport S baby just like I wanted for around 48K (under budget with no 2023 Deep Discounts). The Sport S I test-drove also had the Max Tow package. Was told about a 2 to 3 month wait. I thought about it all the way home and spent the night on the built site again and decided I had to have the Max Tow version so went back the next day to see if I could change the order but it was too late. They told me I could order another one with Max Tow and take the one I wanted when it came. Only cost me $5 deposit. With the discount, I was still able to be just under 50K. Surprise, the Max Tow came in about 1 month. Completed the paperwork and had it delivered 35 miles to home, and I got my $5 deposit refunded.

Almost 2 years of light-duty daily driving and no "Trim Envy" here. South Carolina doesn't have any bolder mountains or canyons for rock crawling or deserts to drive 70 mph through and you can't drive on the beaches here so my off-roading is dirt roads and mud holes. Oh, and I don't need any fake hood scoops.

 

[Dkman71]

I have, and it led me to the purchase decision i made. I owned a willys for 6 months, and when i was considering an upgrade drove both the rubicon and mojave. rubicon was too bouncy and didn't eat bumps the way the mojave did.

Put a proper lift on the overland. Add air lockers while changing gears etc. you can build it up better than a Mojave.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Put a proper lift on the overland. Add air lockers while changing gears etc. you can build it up better than a Mojave.

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.

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