Nomadr
Member
- First Name
- Kevin
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2020
- Threads
- 5
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 7
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- '48 VJ, '74 CJ, '98 TJ, '11 JKUR, '24 JT Mojave
- Occupation
- Builder of the Websites
- Thread starter
- #1
I recently traded in my 2020 Rubicon for a 2024 Mojave. This is my story.
Longtime Jeep owner, and currently have six, ranging from a '48 VJ to my current 24 Mojave. I was expecting to keep the '20 Rubicon JT for a bit longer, but ran into some issues with it. I started to experience electrical issues that were very difficult to narrow down. I eventually took it in to a dealer who had it for 5 weeks with no resolve. After being without our truck for that long, we started talking about a Plan B.
My wife was a bit concerned that she would have a hard time trusting it in the future. We have an off-grid cabin that we spend a bit of time at, and being stuck out there would not be fun. We talked to the dealer about doing a trade-in while the Rubicon was in the shop, and they were game. They offered us what we thought was a decent price (for a dead truck, no less), and we worked a deal on a hold-over 2024 Mojave.
We loved the Rubicon. We went with that originally because of the towing capacity, offroad capabilities (lockers, e-disconnect, Rubi transfer case), and the nicer trim level interior. Over the years of ownership, we ended up towing quite a bit - an offroad trailer, various rental trailers for different needs, etc. We did a bit of offroading, but never to the limits of the Rubicon. In the end, we mostly used the towing capacity and appreciated the nicer interior appointments.
In February of this year, I changed out the OE batteries. About a month later, we started to have starting issues. When attempting to start, sometimes the gauges would light up, scroll through all error messages, lock up the shifter and not start. It would reset after a while. Took a week and it happened again, then started getting more frequent until it was a daily occurrence. Took it in to the dealer with all my notes (that I am sure ended up in the trash) and they got nowhere with it. Did all the tests, then started talking about a sensor in the transmission/transfer case that detects if it is in park. I kind of gave up at that point, with not much faith they would track down the actual issue and remedy.
The dealer had a hold-over 2024 Mojave on the lot that they were ready to get rid of. It had the 20% markdown and a few other incentives. I got them to move that down a little more, and they offered us a decent trade in value on the Rubicon. The best part of that deal is that they would trade the Rubicon with it still in their shop, and it would be out of my hands. We had them move over the tires and wheels (AEV Borahs and Ridge Grapplers), as well as the topper and bed rug. We cleaned out the Rubicon, signed papers, and never looked back.
First impression of the Mojave is how nice it rides on the street. My wife would comment how the Rubicon felt like a truck when going down the road. She said that it felt "boaty" and a bit harsh on the bumps. I didn't get that so much, as I am used to driving my JK on 37s and a lift. Just feels normal. We also noticed how there seemed to be much less road noise in the Mojave on the freeway. Not sure how that happened, but maybe the Rubicon was wearing on the seals and letting more noise in.
I miss having the TPMS, but will replace the ones in my current wheels soon for the newer style. The Borahs are set up with the 2020 TPMS, which doesn't work with '21+. The Mojave doesn't have the front camera, which I liked for parking in lots and spotting the front when offroad. I hate to admit that I miss the blind spot monitors and rear parking sensor. I didn't expect to like them on the Rubicon, but grew accustomed to having them. I like the high fenders like the Rubicon had, as well as the rock rails. The Mojave hood is also a cool improvement.
The Mojave's cloth seats vs the Rubicon's leather doesn't bother me much. I will probably end up covering them so the dogs don't leave their mark. Not too sad about not having the ambient light in the cab like the Rubicon had, although it did look cool. I like the new big screen, but not really sure why. It doesn't show much more info, but just bigger info(?). I really like the wireless Android Auto/Apple Car Play feature. The connection on the Rubicon was always buggy.
Best improvement so far is the ride quality. Looking forward to doing a trip up to the cabin soon, which is about 5 hours away. I am going to do another chalk test on these tires this weekend to make sure I am at the right pressure. Got the Tazer and the dash cam back in. Going to add some outlets in the bed, as I use an ARB fridge quite a bit. Other than that, it is set up and ready to go.
That's my story. Glad to have a truck back in the driveway. It was missed.
Longtime Jeep owner, and currently have six, ranging from a '48 VJ to my current 24 Mojave. I was expecting to keep the '20 Rubicon JT for a bit longer, but ran into some issues with it. I started to experience electrical issues that were very difficult to narrow down. I eventually took it in to a dealer who had it for 5 weeks with no resolve. After being without our truck for that long, we started talking about a Plan B.
My wife was a bit concerned that she would have a hard time trusting it in the future. We have an off-grid cabin that we spend a bit of time at, and being stuck out there would not be fun. We talked to the dealer about doing a trade-in while the Rubicon was in the shop, and they were game. They offered us what we thought was a decent price (for a dead truck, no less), and we worked a deal on a hold-over 2024 Mojave.
We loved the Rubicon. We went with that originally because of the towing capacity, offroad capabilities (lockers, e-disconnect, Rubi transfer case), and the nicer trim level interior. Over the years of ownership, we ended up towing quite a bit - an offroad trailer, various rental trailers for different needs, etc. We did a bit of offroading, but never to the limits of the Rubicon. In the end, we mostly used the towing capacity and appreciated the nicer interior appointments.
In February of this year, I changed out the OE batteries. About a month later, we started to have starting issues. When attempting to start, sometimes the gauges would light up, scroll through all error messages, lock up the shifter and not start. It would reset after a while. Took a week and it happened again, then started getting more frequent until it was a daily occurrence. Took it in to the dealer with all my notes (that I am sure ended up in the trash) and they got nowhere with it. Did all the tests, then started talking about a sensor in the transmission/transfer case that detects if it is in park. I kind of gave up at that point, with not much faith they would track down the actual issue and remedy.
The dealer had a hold-over 2024 Mojave on the lot that they were ready to get rid of. It had the 20% markdown and a few other incentives. I got them to move that down a little more, and they offered us a decent trade in value on the Rubicon. The best part of that deal is that they would trade the Rubicon with it still in their shop, and it would be out of my hands. We had them move over the tires and wheels (AEV Borahs and Ridge Grapplers), as well as the topper and bed rug. We cleaned out the Rubicon, signed papers, and never looked back.
First impression of the Mojave is how nice it rides on the street. My wife would comment how the Rubicon felt like a truck when going down the road. She said that it felt "boaty" and a bit harsh on the bumps. I didn't get that so much, as I am used to driving my JK on 37s and a lift. Just feels normal. We also noticed how there seemed to be much less road noise in the Mojave on the freeway. Not sure how that happened, but maybe the Rubicon was wearing on the seals and letting more noise in.
I miss having the TPMS, but will replace the ones in my current wheels soon for the newer style. The Borahs are set up with the 2020 TPMS, which doesn't work with '21+. The Mojave doesn't have the front camera, which I liked for parking in lots and spotting the front when offroad. I hate to admit that I miss the blind spot monitors and rear parking sensor. I didn't expect to like them on the Rubicon, but grew accustomed to having them. I like the high fenders like the Rubicon had, as well as the rock rails. The Mojave hood is also a cool improvement.
The Mojave's cloth seats vs the Rubicon's leather doesn't bother me much. I will probably end up covering them so the dogs don't leave their mark. Not too sad about not having the ambient light in the cab like the Rubicon had, although it did look cool. I like the new big screen, but not really sure why. It doesn't show much more info, but just bigger info(?). I really like the wireless Android Auto/Apple Car Play feature. The connection on the Rubicon was always buggy.
Best improvement so far is the ride quality. Looking forward to doing a trip up to the cabin soon, which is about 5 hours away. I am going to do another chalk test on these tires this weekend to make sure I am at the right pressure. Got the Tazer and the dash cam back in. Going to add some outlets in the bed, as I use an ARB fridge quite a bit. Other than that, it is set up and ready to go.
That's my story. Glad to have a truck back in the driveway. It was missed.
Sponsored
