Debating on a new Gladiator and have some questions

[Rburns1776]

Personally I weighed my needs/use cases across all the trims and ended up going with a Mojave. For me I wanted a locker in the rear at minimum because I do wheel sometimes and lockers are priceless. I need to tow up to 5k pounds once or twice a month. So it was between Rubi or Mojave with the 3.6 and 8spd auto. Eventually picked the Mojave because of the beefed up components (Cast iron turn knuckles, etc) the Fox shocks, sits 1 inch taller, has more seat bolstering and the steering wheel is nicer than the rubi's. Also like the aesthetics with the hood scoop, etc better (even if it isnt functional). Add some quick disconnects for the sway bar end links, maybe add some air lockers down the road when I re-gear after I get my wheels / tires. my 2 cents to throw in the pot is just think about your use case and order exactly what you want based on that

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[BourbonRunner]

I think the liability thing is overblown. When people started talking about tow rating and liability on this forum a lot, I offered $100 to the charity of their choice to anyone who could find an example of someone in hot legal water for towing over their vehicle's rated limit who was not in any other way driving recklessly.

Nothing. I've still got the $100.

Just out of curiosity I asked my insurance agent about this. he told me I was covered period. PERIOD. Even if I got drunk and drove recklessly, my insurance will indemnify me

I also carry a $2mil umbrella but you shouldn't need that.

That's funny, I carry a $1M umbrella because prior to Covid I often took clients out to show them houses. My W204 was good for that and not anything else. Since then, only once and because their vehicle got here after they did. Was fun cramming them into my e46 but I digress.

Bottom line - get the truck you want to drive 99% of the time and put air bags in for the other 1%.

I was on a fire road today and was RIPPING it at 50+ mph in my Mojave. I wouldn't trade the for the world.

Finally, if you do track days and understand the value of a SORTED suspension, out of the box, then you will appreciate the Mojave.

I need to find a Mojave to test drive then. I wasn't thrilled with the Rubicon but wasn't disappointed either. It does what I expect, but sounds like the Mojave does it better.

Thank you, and super nice 240z. I was brought home from the hospital as a newborn in my dad's 280z...without a car seat in a snow storm. Because 1980 was a different time. LOL

 

[Minty JL]

I think the liability thing is overblown. When people started talking about tow rating and liability on this forum a lot, I offered $100 to the charity of their choice to anyone who could find an example of someone in hot legal water for towing over their vehicle's rated limit who was not in any other way driving recklessly.

Nothing. I've still got the $100.

Just out of curiosity I asked my insurance agent about this. he told me I was covered period. PERIOD. Even if I got drunk and drove recklessly, my insurance will indemnify me.

I also carry a $2mil umbrella but you shouldn't need that.

Bottom line - get the truck you want to drive 99% of the time and put air bags in for the other 1%.

I was on a fire road today and was RIPPING it at 50+ mph in my Mojave. I wouldn't trade the for the world.

Finally, if you do track days and understand the value of a SORTED suspension, out of the box, then you will appreciate the Mojave.

All the other Gladiator models strike me as oversprung and underdamped. The Mojave feels sorted. Its certainly nothing you could not do to a Sport with a new set of (ideally adjustable) shocks. But th3en again without softer springs, you may then just have a hard riding truck.

I'm happy with my choice. Others are happy with their choices.

One other thing. Go for a test drive. I had to drive an hour to test drive a Mojave. But I'm glad I did.

Great feedback. I just ordered a Mojave and can't wait to take it for a rip on the beach

 

[Blitzinger]

Quick update: test drove Mojave. I like it on par with rubiCon. Didn’t noticed a major difference in the ride. The interior is less crazy but also nice. I’m thinking either will do for the right price. Currently there’s a sting gray rubicon for $58. I told them $50k before taxes so well see what they come back with. One dealer has 12, another 19, another over 40.

 

[Minty JL]

Quick update: test drove Mojave. I like it on par with rubiCon. Didn’t noticed a major difference in the ride. The interior is less crazy but also nice. I’m thinking either will do for the right price. Currently there’s a sting gray rubicon for $58. I told them $50k before taxes so well see what they come back with. One dealer has 12, another 19, another over 40.

I think you're in a good situation to haggle. Hit them at the end of the month when they have to make payments on their inventory and need to make quota for the month.

 

[Dakota Kid]

I think you're in a good situation to haggle. Hit them at the end of the month when they have to make payments on their inventory and need to make quota for the month.

Make it the last day of the last month of the sales quarter?.

See what happens when they’re close to behind the scenes dealer incentive bonuses?.

 

[Minty JL]

Make it the last day of the last month of the sales quarter?.

See what happens when they’re close to behind the scenes dealer incentive bonuses?.

Absolutely.......I was trying to work with his near term timeline.

 

[ZoMojave]

Honestly, a Sport S Max Tow sounds like the right set up for your needs. Keep in mind that lifts, larger tires, etc will impact tow capacity, ride, etc. You're wrapping your head around the form vs function debate. Weigh the pros and cons. No matter what you end up choosing, you'll end up with a capable, versatile vehicle that you will love.

Side note, and this may just be me, but different colors look better on different trims, imo.

"I don’t tow which sounds like it’ll help me in this a bit."

The OP stated this earlier so opting for the max tow isn't an issue it sounds.

 

[BA33]

"I don’t tow which sounds like it’ll help me in this a bit."

The OP stated this earlier so opting for the max tow isn't an issue

"I don’t tow which sounds like it’ll help me in this a bit."

The OP stated this earlier so opting for the max tow isn't an issue it sounds.

You're right. I must have gotten my threads crossed.

 

[ZoMojave]

My .02:

I wouldn't get any vehicle without power locks and windows.

I wouldn't get a JT without a hardtop, tow package, 8.4 sound system, passive entry, and the auto trans (sorry, 4,000lbs of towing for a truck ain't enough).

The problem is that even a Sport S with the above options, MSRP is $53,000ish (if you somehow get the dealer to order the passive entry in a Sport S without making you get half doors too as the online configurator currently does).

Sorry guys, I'm not paying upward of $50,000 for a mid size "offroad" truck without at least one locker. You can keep the overland's leather seats and whatever other luxury features it has. I'll take the Mojave or Rubicon any day for the "value".

You nailed it.

 

[ZoMojave]

You're right. I must have gotten my threads crossed.

I was a bit confused as well because another poster was weighing in with the same questions.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I was a bit confused as well because another poster was weighing in with the same questions.

Sorry— that was me. Totally threadjacked this one.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

Quick update: test drove Mojave. I like it on par with rubiCon. Didn’t noticed a major difference in the ride. The interior is less crazy but also nice. I’m thinking either will do for the right price. Currently there’s a sting gray rubicon for $58. I told them $50k before taxes so well see what they come back with. One dealer has 12, another 19, another over 40.

I will say that I was not a fan of the ruby red dash (I’m guessing that’s what you were getting at) in the Rubicon prior to seeing it in person on the date of purchase . I even posted here about options to get rid of it. I.e. Vinyl overlay, plastic from another trim, etc. It grew on me quickly.

I recommend comparing the window sticker (you should be able to screen capture it from their website) to the same build on the Jeep website. I compared line by line for mine to make sure they hadn’t baked anything extra (dealer add-on) into the price.

Good luck.?

 

[Gvsukids]

One dealer has 12, another 19, another over 40.

Dealers around me don't have that many combined.

 

[Blitzinger]

Dealers around me don't have that many combined.

Sorry that’s in general. Closest to me has about 5 rubicons and 1 Mojave. One I went to today, which is about 20 minutes away has 4 rubicons and 1 Mojave, another an hour north has 40 total. I forget amount of rubicons and Mojave’s.

There is one I’m tempted to push on. I did talk to the guy and told him to come back if pricing changes. It’s $53k for a Tan Mojave with some extras but no cold weather package (I’m in NY, this is in CT). My first choice on color is sting grey, second/third is tan/green. Going to see if he comes back in a week or two.

What‘s wild is the place I went to today, listing price for rubicon was 61k, they offered 5k off, 3500 rebate, 1500 discount. Personally, I don’t count the rebates because those do not typically affect dealer. I’d need more off.

The wild part is the local dealer said MSRP on a 58k rubicon and that “they’re going for 3k over MSRP, offering you MSRP is the deal” ——Their 5 rubicons have been sitting there for a few weeks….

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