Mojave Offroad Capabilities on the Mountain

[Trophyhill]

So I just got a 22 Mojave not even thinking about what it can or shouldn't do. So here's my question. Let Me start by saying I hunt anywhere from the NM high plains, to the AZ foothills and anywhere from 7000 ft to over 12,000 ft in the CO Rockies. Most roads I'm on are BLM or NF roads. Some Rocky stuff in NM and AZ, and occasionally in CO too. What can I realistically expect this jeep to handle or how will it perform without the same amenities a Rubicon has?

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[Mr._Bill]

Performance is about the same. The Mojave won't crawl as slow as the Rubicon, and only has a locking Differential in the rear. The Mojave suspension is a little different, since the intended use is as a high speed Desert Runner and not a low speed Rock Crawler.

 

[JamesWyatt]

If you're driving fairly slow over uneven terrain, you'll want to install some front sway bar quick disconnects like the Apex autoLYNX. Without the sway bar links being disconnected, you'll get rocked side to side a lot and won't be as stable. Makes a huge difference.

 

[chorky]

These Gladiators, even bone stock, have some amazing capabilities. You can probably get to every hunting spot you want to without any modifications. The main advantage of a Rubicon over a Mojave is sway bar disconnects, 4:1 transfer case, and front lockers. The Mojave still has a rear locker and much better suspension. However, if you were to lift it you likely will negate any benefit you paid extra money up front for. As @azmojave said, 35's will fit no problem and thats probably all you realistically need (except a winch). Anything else is just for funsies.

 

[Desirayray]

I went Mojave on my purchase. I just asked myself how many times in a year would i lock the front diff. Zero to maybe once. It was the perfect choice. I still do everything everyone else does and i ride a lot nicer. 50k miles on the factory tires and have 10 to 20k to go. What annoys me is the sqeeky ass shocks....

 

[Jrgunn5150]

My Mojave will go everywhere I want to try and squeeze it.

The only thing limiting it is my desire to avoid body damage for at least the first year, and a bit of ground clearance on the stock 33's

 

[Trophyhill]

I don't plan on doing anything extreme. However there are times the terrain is moderately Rocky. After all, it is the west. There are times I get into the sand and mud. My buddy's tell me I should be fine. But they don't own jeeps. Thus my reason for coming here. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Rufus]

I have a Mojave and have hunted all over AZ from Yuma to the Kaibab to Alpine. Only time I had to turn around was when I got to a mudhole that someone warned me the the ruts at the bottom of it were made by a 1-ton with 44s. You won’t find much if anything in the legit act of hunting that a Gladiator won’t do.

 

[Zachanadandy]

These Gladiators, even bone stock, have some amazing capabilities. You can probably get to every hunting spot you want to without any modifications. The main advantage of a Rubicon over a Mojave is sway bar disconnects, 4:1 transfer case, and front lockers. The Mojave still has a rear locker and much better suspension. However, if you were to lift it you likely will negate any benefit you paid extra money up front for. As @azmojave said, 35's will fit no problem and thats probably all you realistically need (except a winch). Anything else is just for funsies.

If you want more clearance the aev 2" spacer lift is perfect. Keeps the mojave shocks in their proper ride zone, puts the bump stops back at factory spacing so the hydraulic bump stops still function properly, even included sway bar end links so the sway bar angles are right. Also includes their procal so you can adjust for tire size. You literally retain all the mojave goodness with 2" more ground clearance and proper bump stops for 37s all for $500. With as long and as low as the belly sits stock those 2 changes made a huge difference if you do find yourself in the big rocks. I am adding metalcloak sway bar disconnects up front and the rock krawler triangulated 3 link in the rear which should eliminate the side to side head toss and improve suspension travel. Should also help with lifting a tire on the rutted out trails.

 

[KevinM60]

I don't plan on doing anything extreme. However there are times the terrain is moderately Rocky. After all, it is the west. There are times I get into the sand and mud. My buddy's tell me I should be fine. But they don't own jeeps. Thus my reason for coming here. Appreciate the feedback!

If you’ve never owned a Jeep before you will be blown away at what your Mojave will do.
I’ve added a 2” spacer lift, Autolynx, and 35” tires because along with the BLM and Forest roads I also do a fair amount of rock crawling.
Before you spend a lot on upgrades I would suggest you get out in it for a while to see if you need any of them to do what you plan on doing.
Enjoy your new toy/outdoor tool to it’s fullest.

 

[Lap it Up]

If you’ve never owned a Jeep before you will be blown away at what your Mojave will do.
I’ve added a 2” spacer lift, Autolynx, and 35” tires because along with the BLM and Forest roads I also do a fair amount of rock crawling.
Before you spend a lot on upgrades I would suggest you get out in it for a while to see if you need any of them to do what you plan on doing.
Enjoy your new toy/outdoor tool to it’s fullest.

I ran my 2021 Mojave for a year bone stock. Never had an issue outside of some belly rubs due to ground clearance. I now run a 2" AEV lift, Geo brackets, and 35's. Ground clearance is much better and, in my opinion, rides just as good lifted as it did stock (on road). Go out and enjoy it. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Banned]

It will get you farther than a Sport, and not as far as a Rubicon. That being said, a seasoned driver in a Sport will get farther than a beginner in a Rubicon.

 

[legacy_etu]

And don’t forget the off road cruise control button.

 

[Zachanadandy]

It will get you farther than a Sport, and not as far as a Rubicon. That being said, a seasoned driver in a Sport will get farther than a beginner in a Rubicon.

Lockers will help you through spots that are tough for open difs, but a sport with a winch will get through way more than a Rubicon without one. Deep mud, deep snow, etc are the only times we've gotten the JLUR stuck, and in those spots lockers and sway bar disconnects aren't much help. The lack of a front locker doesn't really limit the mojave much. The sway bar disconnect is easily solved for $100. For the shocks alone I'd take the mojave over the rubicon but I do tend to hit freeway speeds in the dirt so you're use may vary. I find it rides the best on road too. Unless you're mostly a rock crawler the 4-1 tcase is too low. The JLU is a much better rock crawler as even lifted the departure and breakover angles aren't great on the JT. If we are running mostly big rocks we take the wife's JLUR. Pretty much everywhere else the Mojave is better.

 

[Trophyhill]

Lockers will help you through spots that are tough for open difs, but a sport with a winch will get through way more than a Rubicon without one. Deep mud, deep snow, etc are the only times we've gotten the JLUR stuck, and in those spots lockers and sway bar disconnects aren't much help. The lack of a front locker doesn't really limit the mojave much. The sway bar disconnect is easily solved for $100. For the shocks alone I'd take the mojave over the rubicon but I do tend to hit freeway speeds in the dirt so you're use may vary. I find it rides the best on road too. Unless you're mostly a rock crawler the 4-1 tcase is too low. The JLU is a much better rock crawler as even lifted the departure and breakover angles aren't great on the JT. If we are running mostly big rocks we take the wife's JLUR. Pretty much everywhere else the Mojave is better.

Great feedback. Very much interested in what anyone's first hand experiences are. Particularly those who drive one

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