JKU Owner Considering a Mojave

[JDChris]

Hi!

New to this forum (waves hello). I bought a new '16 JKU over 5 years ago and I'm getting the itch for a new vehicle. After the Mojave Gladiators were announced I was pretty sure that is what I wanted next. I don't do a ton of off roading but definitely enjoy going to the Silver Lake sand dunes, here in Michigan so the advantages a Mojave has over other models is definitely appealing. My sales guy that I've been going to since I bought my first Jeep ('97 TJ) mentioned the Mojave "... has a completely different ride to it." I'm hoping to finally test drive one in a couple days.

So I guess a question for Mojave owners, any regrets over picking that version over another JT or Wrangler? I had heard rumors that Jeep may be making a Mojave Wrangler. I'm guessing the extended wheelbase of the JT would mean it would be better on the highway than a JL / JLU. If there was a Mojave Wrangler available when you bought your JT, would you have considered it?

For any JT owner that came from a JK / JKU or JL /JLU, how has urban navigation been? Specifically, is the JT significantly tougher to park, especially in parking garages?

Any reason to wait for the '22 (or '23) MY if I'm ready to pull the trigger? I think I need to make a decision in the next couple of months. I still have the original tires on my JKU (55k miles) and would definitely replace them this fall before any snow comes. I'm not real excited about spending over $1,000 on tires for a vehicle I'd be selling soon after getting them. Since the JT was only introduced in MY '20 I don't know if its going to get the '23 refresh that the Wrangler is expecting. I also don't want to get caught in the trap of waiting for something better year after year.

One last question that I doubt anyone will have an answer to but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. Anyone know if the Gobi or Gator colors will be coming back soon? My JKU is Hyrdo Blue and I LOVE it and would probably pick that again if I was ordering my JT today, but I wouldn't mind one of those colors, to change things up.

Thanks!
Chris

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[Sekgunnut]

I did not own a jk bit test drove quite a few. I did own a 19 rubicon 2 door and traded for a 21 Mojave. The ride between this and the wranglers is night and day. Full disclosure I didn’t test any new 4 door wranglers, they were all 17 and older so possibly a new wrangler is comparable but I have my doubts.

 

[TractorDoc]

When the time came to upgrade a work vehicle I went all out from a '09 Jeep Liberty to a '21 Gladiator Mojave. That is not really a fair comparison, but I also have my '16 JKU that I bought new and is my daily driver.

I have no regrets with the Gladiator. In fact I look forward to driving the JT over the JK, probably because I'm still in the honeymoon phase but also because I find the JT to be more comfortable. The Mrs. has even noticed and made a point to mention the improved ride quality (she also has a '16 JKU and has a '21 JLU 4XE on order).

The suspension and longer wheel base smooth out the bumps on the road and I even think the seats have better lumbar support than those in the JK.

I can't comment on the urban driving, but I am a bit more cautious when choosing a parking space. I did not realize how much longer the Gladiator was until I parked it next to my Wrangler. I also cannot fairly compare the Mojave to the other trim packages. When I learned how the Mojave was set up from the factory and once I saw one in person I was hooked.

I probably won't be doing any serious off road fun in the near future with the JT but part of my job does involve driving thru rural areas in questionable weather as well as the occasional field/pasture.

Hydro Blue for the Win!

Although I might have gone with Gecko had it been available.

 

[yoda13]

I don’t notice any problems in the city compared to brother’s 2010 JKU. The ride is much better too. I say go for it!

 

[gouacats]

The ride and comfort in the Mojave over my 08 JK is night and day. I love it! I hate driving the JK anywhere more than a couple hours away.

It is more of a pain to park and took me a bit to get used to, but it’s still a mid-size truck, so not too bad.

EDIT - I forgot to mention, the interior is a lot nicer and the seats are no contest - The Mojave wins hands down.

I'm also still keeping the JK

 

[mojocho]

From a '13 JKU 10A Rubi to '20 JTR.
Ride quality is night and day. Much more comfortable due to wheelbase and suspension.

Driving in the city is not really a noticable difference. Turn radius and handling is not limiting. Parking though is different from the JKU. All trucks/long wheelbase vehicles will be different. I find backing into a space is much easier than pulling into a spot forward. Maybe all the years of parking that way, but definitely safer when pulling out though since you don't have the bed inching out.

Go ahead and pull the trigger. Don't delay. We humans are very adaptable so in about 2-3 months, you won't notice any problems other than the smile causing facial cramping

 

[PeterGriffin]

YES, I get to use this picture again!

My '17 Gobi JKUR was on a 2.5-inch AEV lift and 35 KO2s. I literally live desert-front in SW AZ and I'm thoroughly enjoying hammering around the desert over terrain that used to bruise my kidneys in my JK @ 20-25 MPH and now the same terrain in the Mojave @ 40-45 MPH with what I can only describe as a plush, almost Cadillac-like ride quality.

I do not miss the front locker nor auto disco front sway bar the least bit whatsoever. I live in the exact terrain that Jeep/FCA designed the Mojave for and I'm enjoying it immensely for exactly that reason which, with no disrespect intended towards anyone, is not always the reason why someone buys a Mojave...or Rubicon for that matter.

In your case it sounds like you'll definitely have the occasion to enjoy exactly what the Mojave was built for and for that reason alone you can't go wrong!

If I were to say I have any regrets, they may be remedied in a MY update/upgrade; Gobi color and diesel option. That'll do it for me!

Keep us posted and let us know what you decide and end up doing...

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

Hi!

New to this forum (waves hello). I bought a new '16 JKU over 5 years ago and I'm getting the itch for a new vehicle. After the Mojave Gladiators were announced I was pretty sure that is what I wanted next. I don't do a ton of off roading but definitely enjoy going to the Silver Lake sand dunes, here in Michigan so the advantages a Mojave has over other models is definitely appealing. My sales guy that I've been going to since I bought my first Jeep ('97 TJ) mentioned the Mojave "... has a completely different ride to it." I'm hoping to finally test drive one in a couple days.

So I guess a question for Mojave owners, any regrets over picking that version over another JT or Wrangler? I had heard rumors that Jeep may be making a Mojave Wrangler. I'm guessing the extended wheelbase of the JT would mean it would be better on the highway than a JL / JLU. If there was a Mojave Wrangler available when you bought your JT, would you have considered it?

For any JT owner that came from a JK / JKU or JL /JLU, how has urban navigation been? Specifically, is the JT significantly tougher to park, especially in parking garages?

Any reason to wait for the '22 (or '23) MY if I'm ready to pull the trigger? I think I need to make a decision in the next couple of months. I still have the original tires on my JKU (55k miles) and would definitely replace them this fall before any snow comes. I'm not real excited about spending over $1,000 on tires for a vehicle I'd be selling soon after getting them. Since the JT was only introduced in MY '20 I don't know if its going to get the '23 refresh that the Wrangler is expecting. I also don't want to get caught in the trap of waiting for something better year after year.

One last question that I doubt anyone will have an answer to but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. Anyone know if the Gobi or Gator colors will be coming back soon? My JKU is Hyrdo Blue and I LOVE it and would probably pick that again if I was ordering my JT today, but I wouldn't mind one of those colors, to change things up.

Thanks!
Chris

As a fellow Michigander, I can tell you I love my Sarge Green Mojave. But my last Jeeps were a YJ and a CJ (many years ago) so I can't compare it to a JK. Good luck, and I'll see you out on our potholed roads!

 

[Bantam]

So I’m attached to the Hydro Blue as well, even tried to get a hold of a Gator JT but no luck. I doubt we’ll see Gator or Gobi for a few years, assuming it follows the trends of prior color comebacks. Hydro Blue back on the Wrangler kind of bucks this trend, so who knows ??‍

Although not a Mojave, the JT definitely rides better than my JKU. I never really noticed how tractor-like it was until I drove an F150 for a week and got back in it. Granted that was a manual 6 and some heavy Cooper ST Maxx and 3.21 gearing, the new auto is phenomenal with the 3.6. I suspect the Mojave ride won’t disappoint.

As far as parking, I can still parallel park fine, granted I’m in a small town, and the limited parking garages I’ve used have been fine. The JT still maneuvers just as well as the JKU, so those narrow garages aren’t too much of a hassle.

 

[GoGreenSpartan]

Hello fellow Michigander,
I currently have a Hydro Blue Mojave on order from Gupton. I‘m moving from my 2016 JKU. (Profile pic) It took me 6 months to pull the trigger. So, more of a me too kind of post. Wish the Gecko color was available, but with the way the used market is right now, gotta move quick. Don’t wait much longer.

 

[dfwxjer]

The ride quality between the JKU and the JT is night and day. The Mojave drives a bit better over potholes than the Rubicon from my limited experience but the BIG jump in ride quality is apparent across the entire JT range. Even the JL Wrangler is a huge step up from the JK ride. FCA hit it out of the park with the JL/JT.

 

[Gvsukids]

Watched 3 Mojave Gladiators take a slow cruise around Silver Lake, but never saw them use their suspensions to the extreme.
Love the hydro, even when dirty.
I'm in Grand Rapids.

 

[JDChris]

Watched 3 Mojave Gladiators take a slow cruise around Silver Lake, but never saw them use their suspensions to the extreme.
Love the hydro, even when dirty.
I'm in Grand Rapids.

Nice! I used to live in GR and now I’m over on the east side and visit GR often.

 

[JDChris]

I test drove a JTR yesterday and loved it. I’ll be placing my order for a Mojave in the next week or two and selling my JKU. I’m so excited.

 

[rpres62]

Hi!

New to this forum (waves hello). I bought a new '16 JKU over 5 years ago and I'm getting the itch for a new vehicle. After the Mojave Gladiators were announced I was pretty sure that is what I wanted next. I don't do a ton of off roading but definitely enjoy going to the Silver Lake sand dunes, here in Michigan so the advantages a Mojave has over other models is definitely appealing. My sales guy that I've been going to since I bought my first Jeep ('97 TJ) mentioned the Mojave "... has a completely different ride to it." I'm hoping to finally test drive one in a couple days.

So I guess a question for Mojave owners, any regrets over picking that version over another JT or Wrangler? I had heard rumors that Jeep may be making a Mojave Wrangler. I'm guessing the extended wheelbase of the JT would mean it would be better on the highway than a JL / JLU. If there was a Mojave Wrangler available when you bought your JT, would you have considered it?

For any JT owner that came from a JK / JKU or JL /JLU, how has urban navigation been? Specifically, is the JT significantly tougher to park, especially in parking garages?

Any reason to wait for the '22 (or '23) MY if I'm ready to pull the trigger? I think I need to make a decision in the next couple of months. I still have the original tires on my JKU (55k miles) and would definitely replace them this fall before any snow comes. I'm not real excited about spending over $1,000 on tires for a vehicle I'd be selling soon after getting them. Since the JT was only introduced in MY '20 I don't know if its going to get the '23 refresh that the Wrangler is expecting. I also don't want to get caught in the trap of waiting for something better year after year.

One last question that I doubt anyone will have an answer to but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. Anyone know if the Gobi or Gator colors will be coming back soon? My JKU is Hyrdo Blue and I LOVE it and would probably pick that again if I was ordering my JT today, but I wouldn't mind one of those colors, to change things up.

Thanks!
Chris

Just had our new mojave at silver lake last weekend, that is exactly what it was made for, the suspension is awesome. We have a 2010 jku with a aev lift and much prefer the mojave

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