I'm looking to buy my first gladiator. Help!

[Ramboy]

Mojave.
That platform rides better than the rest and has the black wheels.

I agree plus for mild crawling you still have rear lockers which in most cases is all you need. Mojave pretty much is the middle of the pack sweet spot.

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[BourbonRunner]

I agree plus for mild crawling you still have rear lockers which in most cases is all you need. Mojave pretty much is the middle of the pack sweet spot.

Going to echo that here, too. The Mojave seems to be the best all around as a daily that can still do Jeep stuff off the showroom floor.

OP: Test drive a Willys, a Rubicon, and a Mojave back to back. There's a pretty substantial difference to them individually.

But for me one of the biggest factors after more manners on the road and seating was the availability of SelecTrac. Winter weather events in the Mid Atlantic are a mixed bag of precip. The option to get into AWD opposed to a traditional 4x4 is a game changer. That pushed me to a Mojave (sorry, Overland) and I do not regret my decision.

 

[handyman98]

I have a Rubicon and do not rock crawl for the most part. But I do like up to medium hard level trails. I have been on those trails and ran into sections that were higher levels than what it said do to wash outs, repeated use, etc.....so I was glad I was in the Rubicon.

Also if you plan on doing a Jeep Academy or Jamboree and plan to stay with 33s many of those events may state it needs to be a Rubicon trim.

 

[Ramboy]

Going to echo that here, too. The Mojave seems to be the best all around as a daily that can still do Jeep stuff off the showroom floor.

OP: Test drive a Willys, a Rubicon, and a Mojave back to back. There's a pretty substantial difference to them individually.

But for me one of the biggest factors after more manners on the road and seating was the availability of SelecTrac. Winter weather events in the Mid Atlantic are a mixed bag of precip. The option to get into AWD opposed to a traditional 4x4 is a game changer. That pushed me to a Mojave (sorry, Overland) and I do not regret my decision.

Agree with that. Rocktrac is great but I’ve had a couple of older rigs, GCs, with selectrac and it does provide another welcome dimension in traction capability. That’s something that Jeep seems to provide for all, choices and options. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes it’s just a dilemma; “I like this but like that over there”. Then there is the squirrel! moment that catches your attention and gets you going in another direction. I’ve had exclusively Rubicons since 2006, plus the CJ5 years, frankly I have never had to use the Rubicon’s full capabilities. But, it was just a “it’s a nice to have thing if you ever need it”, peace of mind. But then when I had my TJ Rubi, I never had the need for a “I wish I had a swaybar disconnect feature” either. Mostly, if you don’t have it and use the rig within its capability boundaries everything is ok. Now that I’m older and comfort has crept up the priority list of wants, the Mojave seems to have checked that box off too. For many who’ve never owned many Jeeps before sometimes there is no experience and expectation standard to pull from that older veteran Jeepers can really help with in that regard.

 

[Setec641A]

I’ll say the frame reinforcement that is on the Mojave is a nice feature. Wish they’d made that standard across the board. Good thing there are options in the aftermarket for it or I’d be having a shop go in there all Willy’s Nilly reinforcing it.

Frame reinforcement? I haven't heard about this... Why would that be on the Mojave, and not the Rubi as well? If a Rubi is designed for uneven surfaces and off-camber situations, wouldn't that be beneficial to it, as well?

 

[Stormtroopin]

Frame reinforcement? I haven't heard about this... Why would that be on the Mojave, and not the Rubi as well? If a Rubi is designed for uneven surfaces and off-camber situations, wouldn't that be beneficial to it, as well?

They marketed the Mojave to tow small trailers off-road and jump, hence the beefed up knuckles and frame reinforcement. Mojave’s used to have better seats than the other trims but that has changed now. If I were the OP and doing a lot of solo camping/hunting I’d go with the Rubi so I had the benefit of both lockers and low 4-1 crawl. I’ve seen some very recently on the rubicon trail crawl out and over things I wouldn’t even think about doing with my mojave. A front locker is in my future upgrades but that low range transfer case lets you walk over anything.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

They marketed the Mojave to tow small trailers off-road and jump, hence the beefed up knuckles and frame reinforcement. Mojave’s used to have better seats than the other trims but that has changed now. If I were the OP and doing a lot of solo camping/hunting I’d go with the Rubi so I had the benefit of both lockers and low 4-1 crawl. I’ve seen some very recently on the rubicon trail crawl out and over things I wouldn’t even think about doing with my mojave. A front locker is in my future upgrades but that low range transfer case lets you walk over anything.

That low range is something to think about. I had a Super Low on my LJ Rubi and it got me up-over-out of some very sticky situations. I got the sport because I plan on going with an Atlas with different gearing than what Jeep offers. I usually tend to suggest the lower trim levels because I know I’m just going to switch half the stuff Jeep puts in the Jeep anyway. Jeep puts out a very good package to begin with and it’s not too horribly hard to make it perform even better.

 

[Gvsukids]

Also if you plan on doing a Jeep Academy or Jamboree and plan to stay with 33s many of those events may state it needs to be a Rubicon trim.

Sad. It's more about the driver than the vehicle.

Frame reinforcement? I haven't heard about this.

The diesels have it too.

 

[DubyaBee76]

I have a Rubicon and do not rock crawl for the most part. But I do like up to medium hard level trails. I have been on those trails and ran into sections that were higher levels than what it said do to wash outs, repeated use, etc.....so I was glad I was in the Rubicon.

Also if you plan on doing a Jeep Academy or Jamboree and plan to stay with 33s many of those events may state it needs to be a Rubicon trim.

I've never understood the equipment requirements these promoters put into place. There's plenty of folks on the trail that are ready and willing to help folks with lesser vehicles get out of the pickles they sometimes find themselves in, and the folks I go with actually get a bit giddy when we get to do a recovery. I have also seen some of the older generation out-wheel built rigs with near stock Jeeps and open-diffs. It's all about the driver and the group you're wheeling with at the end of the day.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I've never understood the equipment requirements these promoters put into place. There's plenty of folks on the trail that are ready and willing to help folks with lesser vehicles get out of the pickles they sometimes find themselves in, and the folks I go with actually get a bit giddy when we get to do a recovery. I have also seen some of the older generation out-wheel built rigs with near stock Jeeps and open-diffs. It's all about the driver and the group you're wheeling with at the end of the day.

Blame the lawyers and the insurance carriers.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Sad. It's more about the driver than the vehicle.

Driver mod is the most important one.

I did fourteen badge trails (6 in Moab alone) with 33s and no lockers. No issues. (my old JK).

Pulled a winch line a handful of times in those 6 years.

 

[matthewmcw]

Ive had my Sport s for a week now so im going with the S and it has black wheels

 

[Mr Miami]

I know 'its a Jeep and should be rough and tumble' but I wish Jeep had memory settings for their power seats. My ole lady likes to borrow the truck sometimes and it would be so nice to have memory settings for each of us.

That's one reason why I have considered looking at the AT4 Canyon/ZR2 Colorado. A couple small features that add up for us.

I hate to say this, but if the purpose of buying a Jeep is based on creature comforts, then yes, another vehicle may be more appropriate.

If I want to purchase a backhoe, I am not looking at air conditioning or cruise control.

 

[DubyaBee76]

I hate to say this, but if the purpose of buying a Jeep is based on creature comforts, then yes, another vehicle may be more appropriate.

If I want to purchase a backhoe, I am not looking at air conditioning or cruise control.

Only because you've never HAD a backhoe with air conditioning. Once you've had it, it's hard to not look for it.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

I very much doubt daily driving and use on fire roads would bend the chassis.

Facts, I do so much with my '21 Willys that people are amazed it takes it all. Towing, off-road, mild trails, mud, snow berms up to the hood. The '21 didn't come with a locker just the "anti-spin" rear diff (clutched LSD). Still leaves 15' tire marks when launching.

The suspension in the Mojave is overrated. Buy aftermarket shocks and you'll be fine.

The frame is only worth it if you're jumping dunes. At that point you'll need new shocks either way. 99% of what people actually do won't bend the frame, if done correctly.

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