JT vs JL ride quality

[J0hnnyF3ver]

My 2026 Willys is a smoother better ride than my wife’s JLU Sahara, a ton better than my JKU ever was and miles better than the 2026 JLU I had as a loaner for a couple days while the bedlined my Willys.

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[RudeJeepin]

Look at us! We have something over the diesel guys! It's usually them on their high horse. They may have more power and better fuel economy, but we a cushier ride!

I would of loved a diesel Mojave. But I guess the extra weight of the motor would kind of negate the aspect of the Mojave.

 

[RudeJeepin]

We'll keep the diesel Gladiator stock, at least for the next 15 years. Our property is located next to a national forest, so we do a lot of driving on forest roads, BLM roads, BIA roads, etc. For the most part, a stock Rubicon does everything we want it to do, which is to get us to and from our mountain property in inclement weather.

Fuel economy is also a factor since we're remote. For example, It's 55 miles from our property to the nearest town with groceries and fuel. In stock form, I can easily get 28 - 29 mpg in the Rubicon Gladiator.

Last but not least is towing potential. The brake controller has been on backorder since January, so I haven't been able to tow with it yet. It's possible that we'll do some towing with it. If so, then I want to maintain as much towing performance as I can by keeping it stock.

I just added Clayton's 0.5 Diesel springs to the front. I really like the way they seem to help with the bottoming out over sharp edges. There were two places locally were our JLURD and JTRD would bottom. The new springs have helped the Gladiator, might be ordering a set for the Wrangler.

Having both the Mopar and RedArc trailer brake controllers, I'd choose the RedArc. Not that's it's any better, just based on the mounting options and price.
The Wrangler has the Mopar unit. I replaced the 12v socket with the controller knob. Looks clean and was an easy install.
The Gladiator has the RedArc. I mounted the controller knob next to the 12v socket. I got the basic/traditional controller and save $100 compared to the Mopar unit. Install is the same, with the exception of having to trim a little on the backside of the 12v panel.

I could replace that little square panel and it would be good as new.

 

[ItsmeMrWright]

Night hawk was one of the most underrated trims ever on JT platform and if you had the right options like tow package, black grill as a base it already has the good bones to work off.. That trim you can do so much with as far as mods. I personally would get HD springs and upgrade the shocks lift combo like the AEV Dual sport 2,5 or 3 inch and regear to 4:56. That combo alone would take the nighthawk to new level. If it did not come with tow package then i would have gotten a real upgraded alternator,aux swithes,upgraded radiator, 850 watt fan and either a draw tite class 4 or mopar class 4 hicth receiver. Nighthawk was a beautiful platform i think that many people misunderstood

I essentially took one of the two they had on the lot because it was right when the threat of Tariffs and Stellantis closing one factory was happening in April 2025. They had anvil and a blue one. I chose the anvil since I drift towards the gray man persona. Very happy with it. I would have preferred the max tow package even though I do not currently tow anything. Have done some upgrades, mainly cosmetic. Next may be a stereo/speaker upgrade.

 

[biodiesel]

My only gripe on the red bodies is mine were leaking at 50kish miles. Not bad, but enough to get a drip or two on the lower mount. Good news is they are cheap to replace.

Did you go back with Mopar or did you buy directly from Tenneco (Rancho)?

I’m in a Ranger raptor now and slightly crying at how much the fox shock rebuilds are

Oh, very nice. I'm a Mopar fanboy, but I think Ford did a good job on their Ranger Raptor.

Yeah, the Fox rebuilds aren't cheap. I'm about to install Fox coilovers on our 2015 Ram EcoDiesel. My plan is to replace the shocks at 50,000 miles with new Fox shocks, that way I can send the old ones off for a rebuild and not worry about down time. Then I'll have backup shocks ready to go.

 

[MeanGreen]

My only gripe on the red bodies is mine were leaking at 50kish miles. Not bad, but enough to get a drip or two on the lower mount. Good news is they are cheap to replace. I’m in a Ranger raptor now and slightly crying at how much the fox shock rebuilds are

I feel your pain. I had my Fox shocks rebuilt about a month ago...

 

[biodiesel]

I would of loved a diesel Mojave. But I guess the extra weight of the motor would kind of negate the aspect of the Mojave.

Even in the Ram 1500, Fox has a different coilover (higher spring rate) for the EcoDiesel vs the Hemi/Pentastar.

 

[CMF150]

This is an interesting thread for me. Before we got my wife's JL Sahara, I wanted a JT. AFter driving and riding in her JL, I want nothing to do with a JT when it comes time for my to get another truck. That said, I know I need to drive one, but if they actually do bring back the m/t, I'm going to have to go drive a Mojave....

 

[zxd9]

My Mojave (both stock and with Clayton/Falcon) is better than my wife's JL Sport w/ Rubicon suspension.

 

[biodiesel]

I just added Clayton's 0.5 Diesel springs to the front. I really like the way they seem to help with the bottoming out over sharp edges. There were two places locally were our JLURD and JTRD would bottom. The new springs have helped the Gladiator, might be ordering a set for the Wrangler.

That's good to hear. I wouldn't mind a .05" lift if the coils are high quality. Are you running stock shocks or did you go aftermarket?

Having both the Mopar and RedArc trailer brake controllers, I'd choose the RedArc. Not that's it's any better, just based on the mounting options and price.[/QUOTE]

I can understand. Your install looks good. I'm going to stick with the Mopar option, but I like your install.

 

[biodiesel]

I feel your pain. I had my Fox shocks rebuilt about a month ago...

In some cases, I've heard that the rebuilds aren't much cheaper than buying new.

 

[MeanGreen]

In some cases, I've heard that the rebuilds aren't much cheaper than buying new.

Yeah, I thought about buying some low milage take offs but went the rebuilt route. It was around $1,100. The cheapest new ones I could find were over $600 each and that was on sale.

 

[biodiesel]

The cheapest new ones I could find were over $600 each and that was on sale.

Oh wow, you've got some higher-end Fox shocks. The ones on my Ram 1500 are $230 each. You can see why those would be nearly as expensive to rebuild than to replace with new.

 

[MeanGreen]

Oh wow, you've got some higher-end Fox shocks. The ones on my Ram 1500 are $230 each. You can see why those would be nearly as expensive to rebuild than to replace with new.

It’s the remote reservoir fox shocks that come on the Mojave’s.

 

[JmattNYC]

I essentially took one of the two they had on the lot because it was right when the threat of Tariffs and Stellantis closing one factory was happening in April 2025. They had anvil and a blue one. I chose the anvil since I drift towards the gray man persona. Very happy with it. I would have preferred the max tow package even though I do not currently tow anything. Have done some upgrades, mainly cosmetic. Next may be a stereo/speaker upgrade.

I forget to mention radio, I still need to do that to mines. The 2024 new screen had trown a curveball to me. had plans to add the stinger 12, dual behind seat subs, amps, speaker,etc.Did not notice the new screen and eletrical wiring were that drastic. I have a anvil max tow sport. Love it.

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