Does it make sense buying a Mojave?

[crmarczak]

I will eventually put on 38s/39s and a nice 3.5 inch lift.

My understanding of the Mojave is that it comes with a nicer ride/shocks over the Rubicon but I give up the front locker and swaybar.

If I'm already planning on replacing the suspension would there be any 'mojave' left in the Mojave?

Would my money be better spent going with the Rubi?

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[ShadowsPapa]

I will eventually put on 38s/39s and a nice 3.5 inch lift.

My understanding of the Mojave is that it comes with a nicer ride/shocks over the Rubicon but I give up the front locker and swaybar.

If I'm already planning on replacing the suspension would there be any 'mojave' left in the Mojave?

Would my money be better spent going with the Rubi?

If you plan on modifying it that much - go Rubicon and lift it.
Once you start messing with swapping springs and shocks and so on, you might as well go Rubicon and have yourself the front locker and sway bar disconnect.

If I went Mojave - it would be left untouched suspension-wise.

 

[Jefe1018]

If you go rubicon, you won’t get the cast iron knuckles or reinforced frame unless you get a diesel. If you want to rock crawl, a Rubicon might be your better bet, but if you want to run high speeds in the desert, consider the following:

Look at things like the AEV spacer lift, under $1,000, you might be able to squeeze a 38 in there if not a 37 and keep those fancy stock shocks in place doing their job. An auto lynx also takes care of the disconnected sway bar aspect, about $450. I’ve never needed the front locker, if you’re worried about it an Aussie or lunchbox locker is like $420.00. I really looked into a Mojave before deciding on my build, but it really comes down to your use case and what you’ll want to do with it. I wanted a diesel, so Rubicon it was.

What I’m saying is, before considering regearing and what not, you can have a 37 maybe 38 ready Rubiconish Mojave for like $2,000ish.

 

[Jaxmax]

Or go the other way and build it up from a sport, 39s you might want to go with Dana 60 axles, a lot the stuff you bought with the Ruby or Mojave including the lockers would get replaced but if you want to skip the 60s and want the front locker and disconnect And more importantly the lower geared transfer case go Ruby……Jack

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It comes down to final use or purpose. What are the plans for it - how will it be used?
If the lift and tires are just for show - it won't matter much but you'd be giving up the Mojave ride if you messed much with it.

Do you NEED the front locker? Some say they don't really need lockers - ever, front or rear, others swear you can't otherwise get by, then there are those in the middle.

If you plan on hitting the big rocks, deep ravines and so on - Rubicon (or build up one based on Sport)
If it's for sand, dunes, jumps, and good ride - Mojave.
Or build what you want over time from pretty much any of them.

Some of it will depend on what you really want in colors, fenders, interiors and stuff like that. But even that can be changed.

 

[Viper501]

Jeep = adult legos. I have the Mojave and enjoy the ride on and off pavement but I don’t rock crawl a $$$ truck ‘cause I’ve aged out of most of my stupid. The Mo’ gets you the (slightly) beefier frame, better stock suspension, and the cast iron knuckles. I did the AEV spacer lift, the geo brackets, and some 315’s and am very pleased with the end result.

Points above about use case from @ShadowsPapa is spot on too. If you’re planning hard core rocks or a huge lift it may be worthwhile to get a Sport S and build from there. If you want something out of the box that can grow with your wallet the Rubi’s are great for rock crawling. (Though the Mo may be as well but see comment number one above).

 

[Lunentucker]

Why Mojave? | Page 3 | Jeep Gladiator (JT) News, Forum, Community - JeepGladiatorForum.com

 

[Maestro]

Mojave doesn't make Sense,
it makes FUN!
I got my mojave for the comfort and upgraded shocks. Its my 1st ever Jeep and my daily driver. In 5months I have almost 11,000miles on it and I love it. Stock wheels, and suspension and it does ok mileage for gas engine.
I love the ride and the peppy engine and really glad I opted for mojave. I have driven in wisconsin snow, houston's heavy rains and galveston sand. I won't ever do rock climbing.
I bought mine to have a work truck that I could have 4x4 fun in and it does that very well.

 

[antwon412]

I love my Mojave.

AEV spacer lift
37s
Front locker
Regeared
Apex Autolynx

It’s (imo) the ultimate setup.

 

[crmarczak]

I love my Mojave.

AEV spacer lift
37s
Front locker
Regeared
Apex Autolynx

It’s (imo) the ultimate setup.

That gives me the rubi perks minus a different tcase

 

[PuddleJumper]

I run 37s on mine with no lift. You could easily get 39s in there with a fender tub delete and a 1in spacer lift. Now the Mojave has some key differences outside the Rubicon. But let me preface this, You can't go wrong, both work great.

Mojave

Deisel Frame - Stiffer, good for a big Power Hemi swap
Cast Knuckles - stronger, but heavier
Mopar Hood - Cool Points (also heavy)
Hydro Bumpstops - Makes hitting bumpstops fun instead of jarring
Rear Locker - Cool AF, will get used but not often
High speed TCase - fast and torquey, very fun on loose surfaces
Shock & Springs - duh we all know lol
Soft Sway bars - you either like em or don't
Rubicon

Lighter Frame - Still hemi swaps just fine
Aluminum knuckles - Lighter (can be noisy, seen em break)(its totally fine tho)
Heavier Coils - More load and Tow capacity stock
Front + rear locker - cool AF, will get used twice a year (maybe)
Electronic Sway dis - cool AF, don't take it near salt water or mud(they like to corrode inside)
4:1 Tcase - very smooth and controlled over technical stuff
Stiff sway bars - great for towing

I have both, They are both awesome. They will both do exactly what you want. Again you can't go wrong. i think if you absolutely must have a 3.5 plus lift, go Rubicon, the Mojave is gonna lose a lot of fun speed factor for sketchy if you lift that high. I think the Mojave shines as a low center of gravity and lots of rubber and shock to soak up the punishment. If you go 38, 39 your gonna regear so you can easily toss in a front locker, and you can buy more robust sway disconnects for any Jeep.

anyway to keep it short. Rubicon, but you can't go wrong.

 

[Geoarch]

I will eventually put on 38s/39s and a nice 3.5 inch lift.

My understanding of the Mojave is that it comes with a nicer ride/shocks over the Rubicon but I give up the front locker and swaybar.

If I'm already planning on replacing the suspension would there be any 'mojave' left in the Mojave?

Would my money be better spent going with the Rubi?

It depends on what you use it for. For rock crawling for work or play, the JTR is unparalleled. The JTM is more similar to a TRD Pro without front lockers and sway bar disconnect, although the new Tacomas have the latter now. I came from a TRD Pro and for my fieldwork in remote areas of the Southwest, the JTR is much more tractable. And Jeeps are easier to modify whether Rubicon or Mohave. The name of the two vehicles describes their intended function.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Metalcloak offers a version of their 3.5" for the mojave that retains the fox internal bypass shocks. You can easily clear 39s with that lift as we run 39s on my wife's JLUR with metalcloak 3.5" springs. Or you could go with the AEV 2" kit for cheap and add the front locker for the difference in cost. I don't rockcrawl my mojave and running freeway speeds in the desert I've never even needed the rear locker or 4LO for that matter. It easily clears the 37s with the 2" AEV spacer lift though.

 

[Gvsukids]

Rubicon has 4:1 transfer case. Mojave has the ability to go fast in 4 low.

 

[whiteglad]

After two Rubi's I found that I preferred the 2.72 to 1 transfer case. 4:1 was too low for the trails I use. I like the Mojave frame, knuckles, seat bolsters, steering wheel, suspension/shocks. If I wanted to do a lot of rock crawling, I would choose a 2-door Wrangler. As others posted, if you want to leap into 39" tires, you will have to do a lot of other modifications. The JT will become quite specialized and less suitable for commuting, gas mileage, etc. Leverage on the Dana 44s from those huge, heavy tires will push you toward aftermarket heavier axles and you will certainly want steeper gearing.

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