Mojave Vs Rubicon - help me decide

[WhatExit?]

Who peed in your Cheerios? (Wasn't me)

I knew I was taking a "risk" when I posted in the Hallowed Grounds of Mojave threads to ask questions of some folks who are on the Mojave bandwagon.

And I get that if you bought it you're defending it unless your trashing it which happens a LOT on this website.

The Mojave is a package just like the Rubicon. It's different in some ways and similar in most. And a blind test of the two, if possible, would likely reveal almost no one would know the difference from behind the wheel.

Comparing axle thicknesses and talking about brake dive is more than silly and it's certainly hyperbole.

Enjoy your Mojaves. Defend your decision to buy them. But try to keep in mind it's a Gladiator not your first born

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[Daniel Snider]

For me, there is no second choice to a Rubicon.... But the Rubicon has always held its value better than any vehicle out other than a Raptor. My last Rubi I owned from new for 2 years, and sold it for $7500 more than I paid for it...… ( I did add about 5k worth of adds) Now I know you are looking for more comparison between the 2, but for me, the Rubicon is proven, where as the Mojave is the newest thing, but is yet to be proven...

 

[JCFindley]

I really liked both.

The Mojave drove nicer on the road. On the text drive I was hitting deep potholes at speed on purpose. I did the same with the Rubi. The M felt like a caddy on the potholes. The R felt like a Jeep.

I haven't read all the replies so it may have been mentioned but the R's transfer case is geared MUCH lower than the M's.

In the end I consider them equals with different specialties. I went with the R mostly because the M's were too new for the dealers to budge on MSRP where I got the R for 5K less. HAD they been the same price I would have had the internal debate a LOT longer.

 

[MaybeAMojave?]

I disagree with your assessment of the Rubicon. You are in my opinion exaggerating some points.

The Mojave is a nice machine but stop trying to make it sound as if it's a sports car.

As for road manners the JTR is rather well behaved for the type of vehicle It is. Stiff, but behaved.

I compared the Mojave to another midsize truck. A Tacoma. That itself gets knocked in reviews for its truck-like handling compared to other midsize trucks. Where did I suggest it's a sports car?

You are definitely being biased about the brake diving. Lets try not to make it seem like "it's a thing" on the gladiator, unless you have a Mojave.

As I said... Brake dive is "a thing" for all vehicles with suspension (last I checked, every model of Gladiator including the Mojave). It's more or less pronounced on different vehicles. In my opinion, it's more pronounced on a Rubicon than a Mojave. I haven't driven a Sport, Overland, or High Altitude, though if I had to guess the more road-oriented builds would do it less than a Rubicon. Again, brake dive is a function of suspension geometry, spring rates, damping rates, and wheelbase.

Does that mean one should never buy a Rubicon over a Sport or Overland? Of course not! Does that mean a Rubicon is terrible on the road? Not at all. Is a Rubicon "rather well behaved for the type of vehicle it is"? Yup! Is a Mojave better behaved for what it is? I sure think so. Maybe you don't. That's cool.

 

[Ravenron]

(I inadvertently posted before I noticed pg 2 & 3 of this thread - so - my points below were apparently "discussed" a bit more than I realized - ) -Ron

Something that influenced my decision that I haven't seen discussed much (I went with the Mojave) is the day-to-day driveability and comfort with the Mojave's plusher suspension. The Rubicons I drove before purchase were certainly nice but noticeably "rougher" or more harsh over rough roads. The Mojave seemed less impacted and more often soaked up the bumps and washboard with much less drama. Not necessarily a problem but just different.

Since 98% of my driving (caution - made-up statistic) will be on-road (commuting, hauling, etc.), I really appreciate the better on-road driving manners the Mojave provides. Then, when I have the opportunity to go off-road, the truck can still hang with my buddies' Jeeps (not crawling but enough fun for me - I'm not much interested in dinging up a $60K truck in either trim).

They're both pretty awesome and I suspect I would have been happy either way...the Mojave just fine tuned to my needs a bit better (and the aggressive hood and the orange trim didn't hurt either).

Last point...I'm certainly not as likely to be tempted to spring for an extra $2000 for a 2" lift either - can't see myself dumping those high $$$ fox shocks just to sit a bit higher -

 

[Adawg1203]

(I inadvertently posted before I noticed pg 2 & 3 of this thread - so - my points below were apparently "discussed" a bit more than I realized - ) -Ron

Something that influenced my decision that I haven't seen discussed much (I went with the Mojave) is the day-to-day driveability and comfort with the Mojave's plusher suspension. The Rubicons I drove before purchase were certainly nice but noticeably "rougher" or more harsh over rough roads. The Mojave seemed less impacted and more often soaked up the bumps and washboard with much less drama. Not necessarily a problem but just different.

Since 98% of my driving (caution made-up statistic) will be on-road (commuting, hauling, etc.), I really appreciate the better on-road driving manners the Mojave provides. Then, when I have the opportunity to go off-road, the truck can still hang with my buddies Jeeps (not crawling but enough fun for me - I'm not much interested in dinging up a $60K truck in either trim).

I would agree with your assessment.

However, I did disagree with @MaybeAMojave? And felt some points were exaggerated based on his test drive. Some of his comments about the Rubicon vs Mojave:
"Leaning into corners"
"Woefully under dampened"
"Bob's around back"
"Brake dives"

I think it's fair to say the Mojave has a softer ride. Meaning not as stiff and NOT that it's a soft vehicle.

I personally like them both and think their day to day driving characteristics are very good. I would give the nod to Mojave but don't think the Rubi is a woeful daily driver at all.

 

[TexasMojaveGuy]

Both are great trucks! And certainly wish I had front lockers. I do plan to add non electrical disconnects down the road.

I prefer the Mojave because of the Fox OE suspension, orange accenting, hood scoop, beefier undercarriage components, and steering wheel. There are a lot less Mojaves on the road which makes them more unique in my opinion. I haven't driven the Rubicon, but from what I have read the day to day driving is better in the Mojave.

Pic for attention

 

[Ravenron]

Both are great trucks! And certainly wish I had front lockers. I do plan to add non electrical disconnects down the road.

I prefer the Mojave because of the Fox OE suspension, orange accenting, hood scoop, beefier undercarriage components, and steering wheel. There are a lot less Mojaves on the road which makes them more unique in my opinion. I haven't driven the Rubicon, but from what I have read the day to day driving is better in the Mojave.

Pic for attention

Love that wheel and tire combo. What are those wheels and sizes on the tires?

 

[STL Gladiator]

Who peed in your Cheerios? (Wasn't me)

I knew I was taking a "risk" when I posted in the Hallowed Grounds of Mojave threads to ask questions of some folks who are on the Mojave bandwagon.

And I get that if you bought it you're defending it unless your trashing it which happens a LOT on this website.

The Mojave is a package just like the Rubicon. It's different in some ways and similar in most. And a blind test of the two, if possible, would likely reveal almost no one would know the difference from behind the wheel.

Comparing axle thicknesses and talking about brake dive is more than silly and it's certainly hyperbole.

Enjoy your Mojaves. Defend your decision to buy them. But try to keep in mind it's a Gladiator not your first born

Have to agree here. Having just bought a Rubi this weekend in a sea of 5 available and 3 Mojaves available on the lot my decision wasn’t that hard even though the sales folks were willing to deal either way. I drove both and decided to not get Mojave because this is my second JT and I want to do a build.
Although 10mm axles are on all JTs, they are just wider for Max tow and Rubicon’s. But I’ll let that one go.

 

[TexasMojaveGuy]

Love that wheel and tire combo. What are those wheels and sizes on the tires?

Thanks! Black Rhino Axles (18s) and 37s BFG KM3s

 

[Ravenron]

Thanks! Black Rhino Axles (18s) and 37s BFG KM3s

They look really good! No lift required? Rubbing?

 

[Nine Ball]

I'll add my input to this popular question, having just spent the last month reading about both, watching numerous videos about both, and test driving both. For context, I've wanted a Rubicon for a while. I don't plan on doing a big build, and it has most of the parts I'd already want.

For me, the driving experience between the two models was different. The Rubicon rode a bit rougher, even on the same M/T tires. It had slightly more body roll when cornering. Nothing awful, actually acceptable for a Jeep. The Wranglers we drove leaned more than the JT.

I ended up buying the Mojave. I dig the slightly smoother ride (it is still stiff compared to a car, or even the Grand Cherokee we replaced). I liked the orange accents and the taller hood slightly better. They were the same price, so it just came down to minor differences.

 

[AJ-MJ]

I'm not sure the words "riding comfort" and "JEEP" should even be used in the same sentence. Does anyone know where I can buy some aftermarket coil springs and shocks to create a SOFT ride... LOL

 

[Ravenron]

I'm not sure the words "riding comfort" and "JEEP" should even be used in the same sentence. Does anyone know where I can buy some aftermarket coil springs and shocks to create a SOFT ride... LOL

I thought so too until I drove the Mojave - not a Cadillac but pretty plush for a Jeep! Drive one and see if you don't agree. Be sure to find a rough road with some good potholes...

 

[Forum Crawler]

No crawler Gears. No front locker. Mojave is not for me.

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