mojave or rubicon

[Maximus Gladius]

I came from 3 years owning the 2017 Tacoma Sport. In those 3 years, spent $11k in upgrades and two of those upgrades was the old man emu leaf springs and 5100/6112 bilstein shocks. The ride changed from “sketchy” to amazing.

The rubicon has the Fox 2.0 shocks. The Mojave has 2.5 shocks. The rubicon has to travel slower where driving to the conditions dictate. If it’s about speed in those off road places and the rubicon owner installed a set of bilstein 8100 shocks,
then the checkered flag would go to the rubicon.

So, having come from the taco sport and having no lockers and in those 3 years, wishing I did, not because I rock crawled but because I had other needs like mining and getting to the claim was always sketchy on the shoulder seasons, early Spring and late Fall, plus doing road side recovery work is an important task I take on, having both lockers was a no brainer.

I’ve had the truck now going on 14 months. Covid of course kept me from going to the claim in BC as I didn’t want the locals to single me out from coming from Alberta bringing “Alberta Covid” to them. Didn’t need my truck vandalized. Also, truck sat in the dealership lot for nearly 2 months in July/August getting the dam misfire camshaft replaced and now transmission implosion at 32k since December, has my truck sitting mostly either at the dealership or now in my garage as a paper weight with hopes I can get it fixed by end of June…

So,… from the differences of the Mojave having one locker, factory lift of 1” or 1.5” (not sure), reinforced frame, cast iron knuckles, plastic bumpers, better shocks…. Are the coil springs different?? What would be the one item listed here would Mojave owners say improves ride and handling over the rubicon?
(My vote is its only the shocks, if the coils are different, maybe those would affect speed handling with the shocks)

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[Socks]

I had a Mojave...loaded. With everything but remote start. Had a 6-speed manual transmission. Loved it. Due to job and amount of miles traveled 6 days a week to work it became a Mazda6. I've been spending the last few weeks at Jeep dealerships looking again. I MISS MY JEEP! Driven Rubicon Wranglers and Gladiators. And...a Mojave. Gas and diesel Jeeps. Right now it is hands down the Gladiator Mojave. Ride and drive are winners. 3.6 gas is great and bullet proof. I do so much interstate driving the Mojave works the best. I can always add a locker and stock controls for it. Enjoying my research too. Dealers aren't dealing here in Indiana though. So it may be a road trip for a new Mojave. Oh...and ordered too. I want everything just right on it.

 

[Stormtroopin]

Mojave hands down! I noticed it a lot more on the freeway (better ride). Test drive both,I did and immediately noticed the difference. The Mojave comes with a 1 inch lift as well. I went Mojave, threw on 35s and can go most places with ease. Color was also a factor as I felt the red and green made it look like a Christmas jeep and the orange definitely caught my eye. Do you have a specific color or build in mind?(rocks or overland or just for fire roads and fishing? Most people who go with the rubi go rock crawling and throw a 2 inch lift and 37 to make it crawler capable. I love the feel and ride of the Mojave more than a front locker and electric sway bar disconnect. Really depends on what you do off-roading wise and plan to use it for.

 

[Wbrook24]

You can add Mojave shocks to a rubicon without affecting warranty but if you add a locker to a Mojave you might have warranty issues. Obviously there are other differences but if you aren't planning to jump it this is something to consider.

 

[Broccoli]

Mojave.

 

[JET_83]

Personal preference and interpretation trumps all! Drive them both, pick your love! Nobody is wrong with their interpretation. Some people like mushrooms and some people like oysters.

The Mojave isn’t a smoother ride, I’ve had both to know, that’s all I’m trying to tell the biased ones

 

[JET_83]

Nobody mentions the seats. I love the Mojave seats. I believe they have more bolstering. I never drove a Ruby JT but living in the desert the Mojave is my style.

Bolstering is better, neither are comfortable though, seats are too firm

 

[The White Rabbit]

The Mojave isn’t a smoother ride, I’ve had both to know, that’s all I’m trying to tell the biased ones

Which was exactly my point! Your opinion is biased, in that, it doesn’t consider other peoples preferences for what a “smooth, good or otherwise stated” ride is. It’s your personal or biased opinion.

 

[JET_83]

Which was exactly my point! Your opinion is biased, in that, it doesn’t consider other peoples preferences for what a “smooth, good or otherwise stated” ride is. It’s your personal or biased opinion.

I’m not being biased though, saying it’s not, while others are being biased by saying it is when it isn’t

 

[JamesWyatt]

I’m not being biased though, saying it’s not, while others are being biased by saying it is when it isn’t

This is how civil threads become uncivil. Your Mojave rides stiff. You’ve made your point multiple times. It’s ok to make your point and move on sometimes.

 

[Fox940]

Max Tow, that is always the correct answer.

 

[ZoMojave]

Lol sorry bro, I don't have one yet but I am looking to trade my Taco in the next few months . I test drove a Mojave and loved the ride . I hear Rubi drivers get leg cramps on long rides which I deal with on my Taco . Also I drive an off road with no front locker and I take it on a lot of super rough trails with no issue . One wise man on here once said a Mojave can do 90% of what a Rubicon can do ....can't remember what the % was for a Rubi doing what a Mojave can do

When you are ready to make the move, whether you choose the Rubi or Mojo, add the Desert-Does-It Seat Jackers. A simple milled aluminum block set that installs under the front seat frame to floor mounts. Added them to my JTM (along with a dead pedal) transformed my comfort to a level I didn't expect with the lower leg support I was looking for.

FIXED FRONT SEAT JACKERS - JEEP - 2018 WRANGLER TO 2021 WRANGLER JL, JLU, & GLADIATOR – Desert Does It

 

[jeepit]

Here, you should go with this: "MOJAVE + RUBICON" for real

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/mutant-mojave-or-aprils-fools-joke.56737/

In all seriousness, i owned Rubicon for nine months before i switched to Mojave over a year now and i don't miss any of it.
You should test drive them, you can immediately tell how Mojave feels & rides better than Rubicon.

 

[JET_83]

Which was exactly my point! Your opinion is biased, in that, it doesn’t consider other peoples preferences for what a “smooth, good or otherwise stated” ride is. It’s your personal or biased opinion.

That’s not bias, just telling how it is

 

[SavageNation]

Mojave all the way and by far superior! Keep in mind, I have owned a 2003 Rubicon for over 20 years. I preordered mine and received it in late 2002.

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