FIRST TIME JEEP BUYER

[Bandit’s Lair]

. (Going from a RAM 2500 to a Gladiator is gonna make me feel like the small guy on the road. Lol.)

I don’t find this to be an issue. I sit right about level with most of them with 2” and 37” tires. Yeah they can haul more and probably get better gas mileage, but get em on a trail lin d up with a decently built Gladiator and they aren’t as capable, in my opinion. I may be biased, but I prefer the gladiator over a full sized truck.

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[ChrisNLA]

I don’t find this to be an issue. I sit right about level with most of them with 2” and 37” tires. Yeah they can haul more and probably get better gas mileage, but get em on a trail lin d up with a decently built Gladiator and they aren’t as capable, in my opinion. I may be biased, but I prefer the gladiator over a full sized truck.

In a perfect world, I'd have both.

Actually, my Camaro may turn into a fullsize truck.

Thoughts for another day.

 

[MiklScott108]

Fellow WV owner here . North Central area.

I'm in the Mid-Ohio Valley area.

 

[MiklScott108]

I didn't read all of the replies but thought I'd throw in my 2¢.

I had two 2D Wranglers before getting my Gladiator. My first was a YJ and my second was a TJ Rubicon. I bought my Gladiator Mojave (used) about 6-7 months ago. I test drove some other Gladiators before buying this one. The Mojave rides really, really nice for a Jeep. It is very comfortable. I like having the rear locker and don't think it will hold me back on any of the trails I will be going on. My first mod was adding the Apex AutoLynx swaybar quick disconnects. They make it super easy to disconnect your swaybar. I think you would do well with a similar setup.

Let me know if you have any questions!

One other user mentioned the Apex AutoLynx, did some looking and I really like that setup if I go with the Mojave and want that option of manual disconnect.

 

[ChrisNLA]

One other user mentioned the Apex AutoLynx, did some looking and I really like that setup if I go with the Mojave and want that option of manual disconnect.

I was apprehensive when I bought mine due to cost, but they are so worth it. It's as easy as they claim.

 

[MiklScott108]

I was apprehensive when I bought mine due to cost, but they are so worth it. It's as easy as they claim.

I like that you don't have to try getting a pin back in when you're done. Just set them back to locked and they'll handle the rest.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I like that you don't have to try getting a pin back in when you're done. Just set them back to locked and they'll handle the rest.

I had manual disconnects like that on my JK.

Never, ever again

Spent enough time laying on the ground trying to put them on, having someone lean on the bumper or pick up on it trying to line it up, or moving the Jeep around trying to find flat ground if I'm by myself.

 

[Mr Miami]

That's what I'm thinking as well. The Mojave seems to be the good middle ground and can be upgraded if desired. Plus, it'll get me in one and if down the road we decide we want to do a little bit more then we can upgrade to a Rubicon.

I wouldn't necessarily use the term "upgrade" when moving from a Mojave to a Rubicon (other than perhaps a little snob appeal). The two vehicles are designed for much different purposes. The Rubicon climbs rocks and the Mojave sails over hills in the desert.

I wouldn't necessarily refer to one as better than the other since they are designed to do different things.

 

[Stan H]

I wouldn't necessarily use the term "upgrade" when moving from a Mojave to a Rubicon (other than perhaps a little snob appeal). The two vehicles are designed for much different purposes. The Rubicon climbs rocks and the Mojave sails over hills in the desert.

I wouldn't necessarily refer to one as better than the other since they are designed to do different things.

This 2 different animals

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

In a perfect world, I'd have both.

Actually, my Camaro may turn into a fullsize truck.

Thoughts for another day.

As long as you don’t drive it like the JA that I almost just took out on the way home I support trading in a car for a full sized truck. More useful. I need to get my train horn project buttoned up. Some people have less sense than a squished squirrel around here.

 

[ChrisNLA]

As long as you don’t drive it like the JA that I almost just took out on the way home I support trading in a car for a full sized truck. More useful. I need to get my train horn project buttoned up. Some people have less sense than a squished squirrel around here.

Ohhh I drive it all sorts of ways.

It is usually in line with the publics interest. Definitely only at the track.

 

[MiklScott108]

I wouldn't necessarily use the term "upgrade" when moving from a Mojave to a Rubicon (other than perhaps a little snob appeal). The two vehicles are designed for much different purposes. The Rubicon climbs rocks and the Mojave sails over hills in the desert.

I wouldn't necessarily refer to one as better than the other since they are designed to do different things.

Modification I guess would have been a better term. Lol. Where I'm at there's neither of those terrains, unless I drive 2+ hours somewhere to find them.

 

[BearFootSam]

Okay folks, so I've never owned a Jeep but I have a buddy who has a 2D Wrangler that I've taken out a few times and loved every minute. I live in an area where we don't have a lot of trails and the ones within an hour are either considered "Easy" (Dirt road, low water crossings, etc.) or "Hard" (Huge mud holes, slick clay mud, etc). Im looking at the Gladiator Mojave or Rubicon, which I know are very different from a 2D Wrangler Sport. Iv'e found two that are a couple hours away that I'm watching. It will 99% of its life be my daily driver but that 1% will be family weekend cruises. I feel like I’m leaning more towards the Mojave, the only reason I consider the Rubicon is the sway bar disconnect which I’ll probably never use, but is that something I’ll wish I had just in case or just go with the Mojave and if I decide I want them I can just install aftermarket manual disconnects? TIA, a very torn Jeep Gladiator Shopper.

Welcome to the fold, you're already displaying symptoms of having caught the bug! I think you hit on one of the joys of jeeping, whether it be the wrangler or gladiator driving becomes an experience you look forward to.

While I don't think you can go wrong with either choice, I value the Rubicon's disconnecting sway bar on rough roads to smooth out the ride. Using a Tazer I engage the disconnect in 2WD as it noticeably reduces jostling by freeing up the front axle's articulation. The other significant consideration is your crawl ratio, there are different camps on the subject depending upon terrain and preference. I've been pleased with the Rubicon in that I don't often have to use 4L but when I do the higher ratio is valuable. Think dragging a shed across a field, backing a trailer up a muddy slope, slow crawling over a log or other obstacle. If I was doing more beach driving I might have preferred the Mojave, but I don't.

 

[Gvsukids]

Modification I guess would have been a better term. Lol. Where I'm at there's neither of those terrains, unless I drive 2+ hours somewhere to find them.

You could also look at Overland. That was supposed to be the comfortable model.

 

[Mr Miami]

Modification I guess would have been a better term. Lol. Where I'm at there's neither of those terrains, unless I drive 2+ hours somewhere to find them.

So at least in my opinion, for what it's worth, you can't go wrong with either one. Shop around and find your best deal. Think about modifications or what you want it to do next year after you have had time to experience what you already have.

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