First time purchaser

[GabeLeal]

Good morning all. First time posting here. I am not a gladiator owner yet, but am shopping very hard for one. My wife's parents are into jeeps and have influenced us into shopping around for them. We live in NE Oregon and don't know many folks into going off-road. Anyways, I am looking at getting a gladiator to replace my 07 FJ Cruiser. I am needing a little bit of bedspace for hunting, and a little bit of towing capacity for pulling the boat and wood trailer around. Both are light enough that I haven't had any issues pulling them with my FJ. The wife and I would also like to potentially work towards overlanding some as we both get a little more time off from work.
Ultimately, I come to you today to ask a few things. 1, I am more of a lover of higher speed off-roading, so should I be looking Mojave or getting a sport s and saving myself some money? 2, which ties into the first, since we both work a fair amount, this would also be a daily driver for short drives to and from work, would it be beneficial to get a diesel and forget the mojave? I am diving deep into my own research and am not finding a lot that is swaying me one way or the other. One guy says diesel for sure, the next guy says avoid diesel. Thanks guys. I appreciate all your help.

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[JTBurns]

If you'll be doing a lot of short trips, I think the gas is a better option. I've enjoyed my sport s but got it before the Mojave even came out. Either way I think a stock Mojave or a lightly modified sport or overland would accomplish what you're looking to do.

 

[Jefe1018]

Well…. Opinions will be everywhere here. I have the Rubicon in diesel, love it. Even with a 3 mile one way commute, I managed to put 16,000 miles on it the first year and never had any issues, some people have. There is currently a recall on the high pressure fuel pump as well that keeps some of us up at night. However, without the the high torque of the diesel I probably would have gone a different route. I think you’ll just need to drive both and decide which you can live with better. The JT is kind of the ultimate compromise, better truck than a wrangler, best off road truck currently in production. I don’t think you can go wrong with either motor if you understand drawbacks. The gasser does have a history of misfires and is a bit gutless down low in the rpm range, but is perfectly adequate for everything you’ve described - it’ll just burn more fuel.

As far as Trim, the Diesel does not come on the Mojave.

As far as picking trim, opinions will vary on this one too. Every trim is extremely capable for a mid sized truck, the manual trans will limit your towing numbers the most from what I recall. The Mojave can tow the least iirc, but should still be able to handle what you’ve described.

Off road, all trims are super capable, add a small lift and a plus size off road tire and you are in real business.

Personally, I wanted the ultimate and in my head the ultimate had both locking axles, so I went rubicon. However, drive them all, evaluate your needs and future proof yourself as best you can with what you get of the box then go out and enjoy the crap out of it.

 

[Minty JL]

For a daily driver the Mojave can't be beat. I prefer my Mojave over my Wrangler Rubicon by a long shot.....take that for what it's worth.

Buying a Sport will save you money up front, but not in the long run when you desire that comfortable and high speed ability.

Cheers and good luck. My Mojave as of an hour ago for reference

 

[JeepTaco]

Good morning all. First time posting here. I am not a gladiator owner yet, but am shopping very hard for one. My wife's parents are into jeeps and have influenced us into shopping around for them. We live in NE Oregon and don't know many folks into going off-road. Anyways, I am looking at getting a gladiator to replace my 07 FJ Cruiser. I am needing a little bit of bedspace for hunting, and a little bit of towing capacity for pulling the boat and wood trailer around. Both are light enough that I haven't had any issues pulling them with my FJ. The wife and I would also like to potentially work towards overlanding some as we both get a little more time off from work.
Ultimately, I come to you today to ask a few things. 1, I am more of a lover of higher speed off-roading, so should I be looking Mojave or getting a sport s and saving myself some money? 2, which ties into the first, since we both work a fair amount, this would also be a daily driver for short drives to and from work, would it be beneficial to get a diesel and forget the mojave? I am diving deep into my own research and am not finding a lot that is swaying me one way or the other. One guy says diesel for sure, the next guy says avoid diesel. Thanks guys. I appreciate all your help.

I test drove a freedom edition, willys, rubicon, and overland. The freedom and willys are pretty much sport s trucks.

I chose gas Willys. Its been an awesome truck. Suits my truck needs and I can take the top off nothing better than that.

Diesel must be awesome with all that torque but, it comes at a price. For me, diesel was just not worth the extra cost.

Cheers and good luck. No matter what you pick, it will be an awesome truck.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Unfortunately the real answer here is go drive them. I'm a mojave owner, of course i prefer the mojave and will throw my vote in for that. I think you'll appreciate it's on-road manners while still having plenty of off-roading goodies

 

[Jobofly]

Buy for what you are going to use it for and not what you use it for today. I just went through this decision. For me, it was towing a good amount but being able to go off road anytime I want. I decided on the Mojave over the Rubicon strictly for ride comfort and I will never get in to rock crawling. I plan on getting in to overlanding in the near future and the Mojave will handle everything I need it too.

 

[Charles 236]

I would recommend test driving the different trims before making a decision. I was set on a Willys for the upgraded off road capabilities, but knew it would have to have several options that don't seem to be common on Willys around here. When I honestly appraised my needs as opposed to my wants, I decided on an Overland. It is easy enough for me (I work in a Jeep service department) to upgrade the open differentials whenever I choose to, and other changes like tires, bumpers and suspension, are just a matter of deciding to spend the money.

 

[GabeLeal]

Thanks for the input fellas. I have been testing a pile of them. I think the dealers hate seeing me pull in. I am pretty set on a Mojave, but that diesel option is very appealing. I think I will have to go Mojave.

 

[Minty JL]

Mojave FTW........you won't regret it, I don't

 

[Glad Jeeper]

I thought I was the only one that does a ton a research on when deciding on which Gladiator to get (JK, alot of people do what you are doing).... It sounds like you do almost the same as my wife and I except we don't drive it every day. Because of the reasons you stated we went with the Mojave and have never regretted it. I really like the fact that I I can drive a "bit" faster than my friends that have Rubi's in much more comfort. We do a fair amount of overlanding pulling a trailer it's really awesome.

 

[Lunentucker]

Mojave in stock configuration will get you well on your way.

Look for one with "Selec-trac", which is automatic 4Hi when sensed and needed.
It will serve you well in NE Oregon in snow and ice.

Get the tow package and get the Aux switches, which will also come in handy if you migrate into the overlanding scene.

 

[Sandevino]

Diesel overland here and can't say enough good things about it. I had a Sport S (Texas Trail) gas for a few months and when I diesel cropped up I jumped on it.

Go drive them, drive them all, and make a decision. Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

[GladLad]

Thanks for the input fellas. I have been testing a pile of them. I think the dealers hate seeing me pull in. I am pretty set on a Mojave, but that diesel option is very appealing. I think I will have to go Mojave.

I'm in same boat as you, lots of research to go. I've only done one short test drive (Mojave), did you notice an obvious difference compared to other test drives?

Buy for what you are going to use it for and not what you use it for today. I just went through this decision. For me, it was towing a good amount but being able to go off road anytime I want. I decided on the Mojave over the Rubicon strictly for ride comfort and I will never get in to rock crawling. I plan on getting in to overlanding in the near future and the Mojave will handle everything I need it too.

I won't be doing much rock crawling either; Michigan here. But we do have dunes and potholes, so Mojave is a top choice (or max tow). The ride is that much better?

Will have to see cost of maintaining/replacing the shocks too, certainly can't downgrade once we've had the good life. Or look into ability to lift without destroying its benefits? Just starting, so don't have info or plans yet.

 

[Jobofly]

I'm in same boat as you, lots of research to go. I've only done one short test drive (Mojave), did you notice an obvious difference compared to other test drives?



I won't be doing much rock crawling either; Michigan here. But we do have dunes and potholes, so Mojave is a top choice (or max tow). The ride is that much better?

Will have to see cost of maintaining/replacing the shocks too, certainly can't downgrade once we've had the good life. Or look into ability to lift without destroying its benefits? Just starting, so don't have info or plans yet.

Huge difference in the ride quality when it comes to the Mojave. I am in upstate Ny and we have tons of potholes as well. This thing glides over them.

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