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

[DubyaBee76]

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.

I bought the Mojave in part for the "upgraded" frame. I don't plan on jumping anything and since I have more than 3 brain cells I wouldn't jump a Mojave no matter what the engineers say. However, I do plan on a nice long Alaska/Yukon/NWT trip and will likely have a 4WheelCamper setup, so I like the idea of extra rigidity considering how far from civilization I plan on being. You're quite correct about the shocks as well. I kept the Fox setup when I did the JKS lift, but won't rebuild them once they're worn out. At that point I'll move on to something that fits the lift properly and has adjustability.

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[ChrisNLA]

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.

The purpose isn't comfort, but comfort isnt disallowed because its a Jeep. Im in the camp of Jeeps will live a longer life on the market if they mix their capabilities with similar comforts of other brands.

I love have a super capable and customizable truck. I also have to drive 75-80 miles a day for work. Comforts are nice.

Not deal breakers. But its just enough to make visit other brands for a looky loo.

And if I ever buy another Gladiator, it will, 100% be the most blowed out Rubicon I can afford.

 

[Jteakus]

Rubicon. The selectable lockers and 4:1 transfer case make it extremely capable. I also don't care for the new wheels but you can easily sell them if they don't grow on you.
You don't need a front locker until you need a front locker,

 

[RudeJeepin]

But the Mohave has front hydro bumpstops.

 

[JmattNYC]

In the next few months I'm looking to get a new vehicle.

I love the Rubicon, but hate the tires...

I love the tires on the Willy's.. (Blacked out).

I'm looking for a hunting, fishing, campus vehicle..

Unlike both styles.. I'm not looking to rock crawl, just disappear in the mountain trails.

Rubicon??

Willy's??

I know am late to the tread lol IMHO You don't need Rubicon off the back. Willys will be good but if you looking to overland Get a very base sport max tow will next 1760+lbs of payload, 7,700 lbs of towing, 4:10 gears and wide axels. Build it up. If you want a few creatures comforts and some more options get the sport s version. Base sport will net you highest capabilities and has a boring but very sturdy black steel wheel ,, I love it less tech and less headaches. If You like you can build something much much more capable and fun while saving money initially.

On another note the new euro Rubicon hoods are ugly and look wimpy IMO. You can always source the older version. Hopefully next year those hoods can return. If you do get a rubicon or mojava some great deals will be available very very soon.

 

[JmattNYC]

Sport S. No need to pay for lockers or a transfer case you're not going to use. You can bolt on the stuff you'd want later and save some cash now

Yup!! Also add the items you want and need.

 

[WambliSka]

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.

Based on exactly what facts are you making that assertion? You speaking from personal experience? "Buy aftermarket shocks", based on what, anonymous internet armchair expert opinions? And then what, you have "better shocks"? How does "better" get quantified.

The biggest issue with these forums is that folks LOVE to make broad assertions and represent them as fact when they have ZERO data or actual personal experience in most cases to back them up.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I know am late to the tread lol IMHO You don't need Rubicon off the back. Willys will be good but if you looking to overland Get a very base sport max tow will next 1760+lbs of payload, 7,700 lbs of towing, 4:10 gears and wide axels. Build it up. If you want a few creatures comforts and some more options get the sport s version. Base sport will net you highest capabilities and has a boring but very sturdy black steel wheel ,, I love it less tech and less headaches. If You like you can build something much much more capable and fun while saving money initially.

On another note the new euro Rubicon hoods are ugly and look wimpy IMO. You can always source the older version. Hopefully next year those hoods can return. If you do get a rubicon or mojava some great deals will be available very very soon.

Im an outlier im sure, but i dont mind the boring dome steel hood that they have right now. At least it wont corrode like the aluminum sport hoods

 

[bluemoon110]

If you are not going Rubicon or Mojave, look at a Sport S with Maxtow.

 

[Setec641A]

I wish I could option a Sport S max tow with a rear locker, or a Willys with 4.10's! I'm sorta fed up with Jeep right now. There's some weird stuff coming out of Toledo that isn't on the spec sheets, so it's either extremely poor quality control, or they're just saying, "F*ck it - send it, as is, and sell it! Someone will buy it". Sad thing is, they're not wrong, but I'm not going to be one of those people. I'm seriously considering reversing course and waiting for the Ranger Tremor.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I wish I could option a Sport S max tow with a rear locker, or a Willys with 4.10's! I'm sorta fed up with Jeep right now. There's some weird stuff coming out of Toledo that isn't on the spec sheets, so it's either extremely poor quality control, or they're just saying, "F*ck it - send it, as is, and sell it! Someone will buy it". Sad thing is, they're not wrong, but I'm not going to be one of those people. I'm seriously considering reversing course and waiting for the Ranger Tremor.

Im betting those sorts of combos are omitted in order to not cannabalize the Rubicon or Mojave sales. Forces you to go up.

I haven't seen anything unusual other than the hood hopping (which is in the window sticker). What examples have you seen? I do feel like I saw something peculiar posted recently...

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

Based on exactly what facts are you making that assertion? You speaking from personal experience? "Buy aftermarket shocks", based on what, anonymous internet armchair expert opinions? And then what, you have "better shocks"? How does "better" get quantified.

The biggest issue with these forums is that folks LOVE to make broad assertions and represent them as fact when they have ZERO data or actual personal experience in most cases to back them up.

My experience? How about the fact I have an education and professional experience building vehicles, for road use, race use, and everything in between. Glad you’re one of those “internet armchair experts” who seems to value their own “opinions” over real world facts.

Maybe YOU have no problem trading a perfectly good vehicle for OEM “upgrades” because YOU don’t enjoy personalizing your vehicle on your own. Doesn’t mean everyone else should or has the money to throw away like that. Some real “boomer” mentality right there.

To the OP, do what is best for you. You asked for thoughts and advice, at the end of the day it’s YOUR choice. Take info here with a grain of salt, because everyone has their own experiences. Not everyone has the knowledge, experience, or time to do some things that COULD be had OEM. But then again, if you’re buying for suspension…there’s plenty of documentation about the Mojave shocks being crap and being redesigned at least once with minimal reliability improvement.

 

[matthewmcw]

My 2026 sport S, handles suprisingly well on the highway and isnt terrible on these La swamp highways. Honestly bought the S because of price and a good test drive. Love the powered windows, i went to the dealer very sceptical of the Jeep because long ago experiences.
Yes i wish i could have bought more options but the S is fine for me?

 

[DubyaBee76]

But the Mohave has front hydro bumpstops.

Yes it do, and they are as aggravating as my ex-wife.

 

[WambliSka]

My experience? How about the fact I have an education and professional experience building vehicles, for road use, race use, and everything in between. Glad you’re one of those “internet armchair experts” who seems to value their own “opinions” over real world facts.

Maybe YOU have no problem trading a perfectly good vehicle for OEM “upgrades” because YOU don’t enjoy personalizing your vehicle on your own. Doesn’t mean everyone else should or has the money to throw away like that. Some real “boomer” mentality right there.

To the OP, do what is best for you. You asked for thoughts and advice, at the end of the day it’s YOUR choice. Take info here with a grain of salt, because everyone has their own experiences. Not everyone has the knowledge, experience, or time to do some things that COULD be had OEM. But then again, if you’re buying for suspension…there’s plenty of documentation about the Mojave shocks being crap and being redesigned at least once with minimal reliability improvement.

Yeah, so this internet armchair expert has 5 Jeeps and over 30 years of off-road experience in my background. I back up my opinions with personal knowledge and when needed factual information from reputable sources. And I don't make broad stupid sounding statements because words like "overrated" mean NOTHING. I do enjoy personalizing my vehicles but only to an extent and that is mostly accessories and interiors. My thoughts on having my Jeep on a lift or out of commission in some garage for weeks or months instead of being outside doing what Jeeps do best is that such activities are best suited for those that actually enjoy those things. I personally do not.

And yes I do have money "to throw away" in other's minds, I guess success sucks to those unable to achieve it and their small opinions are their own and mean nothing to me. Calling me a "boomer" makes me laugh, it is a dead sign of a shallow mind that thinks that term is some sort of an insult they can use instead of offering any real proof to back up their baseless claims.

And to the OP, glad you got a bunch of different opinions and good luck with your purchase. As always, carefully weed out the true info and worthwhile opinions from the typical internet BS and have fun.

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