Mojave X vs Rubicon v Others

[SoK66]

Considering a Mojave X for better suspension and upgraded seat but not sure if it really makes much of a difference. Also considered sport s or Saharea and then upgrading tires and small lift/leveling kit but by the time you do that the cost difference isn’t that much. Anyone have real-world experience between rubicon and Mojave trims? Would mainly be daily commuter and potential roadtrips. No major roadtrips or off-road. Had gladiators in the past but all have been either overland or sport s and wondering how much d=of a difference in ride quality of a Mojave. Plus just like the overall looks of a Mojave x. Can get decent deals wiith any but realistically when you add in 2-3k for tires/lift, difference in price between Mojave and decently equipped sahara or Willy’s is negligible and Willy’s mud-terrains are terrible for highway driving.

I'm in a unique position with Gladiators. First, I own a '23 Willys as a daily driver (fit with a 1.5" TF spacer lift w/ 285/17s replacing the stock 255s). I'm also a Jeep tour guide where I drive both a Mojave and a factory 2" lifted Max Tow Sport (with Fox 2.5" resis replacing the original Fox shocks that came with the kit). In addition, our company has two stock Rubicon JTs, '23 & 24. The Mojave and Sport are fitted with seating cages in the beds, suspensions supplemented with air levelling in rear. The '23 & '24 are stock, waiting for conversion.

Although I really like the Rubi's, I LOVE the Mojave. For a daily driver I don't think you can top it due to the suspension tuning. My impression is somewhat affected by the weight of the seating cage, but you still get impressed by the Mojave's suspension tuning. We swapped out the Sport's factory 2" Fox 2.5's for the Mojave equivalent 2.5" resis because the Mojave rode so much better. You have to A/B one with a Rubicon to appreciate the difference. On trails it rides better than the Rubicons, even though they have sway bar disconnects.

FWIW, instead of a Mojave or Rubi, I took my Willys in fall '23 because as a daily it was likely never going to see a trail. It came loaded with tech, premium sound, NAV, etc. and the incentives were so high I couldn't pass it up. The BFG KM2s it came with got swapped out the next day with 33" (285) KO2s. From bitter experience, KM2s are the WORST tire I've ever driven on and I had no intention of having them on my daily. I added the 1.5" Teraflex spacer lift, 2" shock relocation brackets and the lower control arms from the factory 2" kit a couple days later. It's an great daily, would probably be excellent on up to moderate trails. (I have a built JK for trails.) The shocks were reputed to be the same as a Rubicon but they don't feel same at all and are headed for the trash eventually. Comparing it to our Rubicons, the Rubi's feel more stable, you can feel the benefit of the wider axles and suspension tuning.

So, I'd say if you can swing the extra cash go for a Mojave or Rubi, decide after test driving both.

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[Huskervet]

Awesome info and thanks a bunch. Going to go with Mojave if i can get it for what I am hoping to. I trade vehicles regularly and have had canyons, rangers, and currently a 2026 Tacoma. All Have there advantages but miss aspects of the jeep. Wish it got better mileage and was a little quicker like the ranger and others but all except the jeep are just boring