Should I go Rubicon or Mojave?

[Gvsukids]

I’m now leaning towards building an overland trailer for it so I can remove my max tow springs that I used to replace the rear Mojave springs and just

Won't you need springs to contain the airbags?

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[RobbertCole]

Yes you do.
Because here you are with some attitude towards a guy asking for owners OPINIONS.
Don’t know where your head is at(maybe someone close just died),
or someone shit in your Cornflakes, but cut the OP some slack man, he just wants owners to tell him what “they” think about their models.

your reading comprehension needs a little work. The thread sure but im saying I dont care if someone gives him goofy advice.

 

[The White Rabbit]

Won't you need springs to contain the airbags?

I’ll put the Mojave springs back on of course. ?

 

[PeterGriffin]

What exactly is the half the Rubicon can't do? It literally will go anywhere the Mojave will except slightly slower or slightly faster depending on the terrain.

I get wanting a purpose built desert racer, but why not a raptor at that point?

Edit: I mean in Peter's specific case where this seems to be used only as a desert toy and not as a DD, or general offroader that's going to see varied terrain that a raptor wouldn't handle better.

Excellent question! I use the wash road that's literally right in my backyard as an example. In my '17 JKUR (which is obviously not the same as a JTR, but that's the ride I traded in for my Mojave) which was lifted with a AEV 2.5-inch on 35 KO2s, the whoops are around 12-18 inches high. Traversing that with my JKUR at anything faster than 15 MPH and it would pogo-stick all over the place and knock the fillings out of your teeth! Going on that same stretch in my Mojave and 35+ MPH is smooth and almost "boat" like.

While I do ride in the wide open desert, the vast majority of trails here in SW AZ are so-called "Jeep" trails. While I considered a new Raptor they literally would not fit down the majority of trails that I use and until the Mojave came along I was happy keeping my speed down and kidneys intact.

If I REALLY wanna hammer, anywhere in the desert AND do it as fast or faster than a Raptor AND be able to go places it can't (fit)...I take this!

 

[The White Rabbit]

Excellent question! I use the wash road that's literally right in my backyard as an example. In my '17 JKUR (which is obviously not the same as a JTR, but that's the ride I traded in for my Mojave) which was lifted with a AEV 2.5-inch on 35 KO2s, the whoops are around 12-18 inches high. Traversing that with my JKUR at anything faster than 15 MPH and it would pogo-stick all over the place and knock the fillings out of your teeth! Going on that same stretch in my Mojave and 35+ MPH is smooth and almost "boat" like.

While I do ride in the wide open desert, the vast majority of trails here in SW AZ are so-called "Jeep" trails. While I considered a new Raptor they literally would not fit down the majority of trails that I use and until the Mojave came along I was happy keeping my speed down and kidneys intact.

If I REALLY wanna hammer, anywhere in the desert AND do it as fast or faster than a Raptor AND be able to go places it can't (fit)...I take this!

Saw one of those in town a few months ago. Added to acquisition list. ?

 

[PeterGriffin]

Reinforced frame, yes, that might be hard. But cast iron steering knuckles, not really.

https://www.reidracing.biz/jljt

Swapping a frame out might be hard? Unless you're a legit mechanic (NOT technician) the labor costs would be insane.

Since it was mentioned, there's NO need for a Rubi transfer case in a Mojave either, for what should be obvious reasons.

You want a Rubi, buy one; you want a Mojave, likewise, but trying to turn one into the other is just stupid. Modding is one thing, trying to make something that it's not; isn't.

This reminds me of the M threads on the BMW forums, the AMG threads on the Mercedes forums and SRT threads on the Dodge forums where people spend an incredible amount of money to turn their car into something that it wasn't from the factory...and still isn't.

 

[The White Rabbit]

Swapping a frame out might be hard? Unless you're a legit mechanic (NOT technician) the labor costs would be insane.

Since it was mentioned, there's NO need for a Rubi transfer case in a Mojave either, for what should be obvious reasons.

You want a Rubi, buy one; you want a Mojave, likewise, but trying to turn one into the other is just stupid. Modding is one thing, trying to make something that it's not; isn't.

This reminds me of the M threads on the BMW forums, the AMG threads on the Mercedes forums and SRT threads on the Dodge forums where people spend an incredible amount of money to turn their car into something that it wasn't from the factory...and still isn't.

I guess we just need to petition FCA to make a 392 Mojavicon. ?

 

[Gvsukids]

My Max tow with steel bumpers flies down bumpy roads that before caused me to bounce around.

 

[bleda2002]

Excellent question! I use the wash road that's literally right in my backyard as an example. In my '17 JKUR (which is obviously not the same as a JTR, but that's the ride I traded in for my Mojave) which was lifted with a AEV 2.5-inch on 35 KO2s, the whoops are around 12-18 inches high. Traversing that with my JKUR at anything faster than 15 MPH and it would pogo-stick all over the place and knock the fillings out of your teeth! Going on that same stretch in my Mojave and 35+ MPH is smooth and almost "boat" like.

While I do ride in the wide open desert, the vast majority of trails here in SW AZ are so-called "Jeep" trails. While I considered a new Raptor they literally would not fit down the majority of trails that I use and until the Mojave came along I was happy keeping my speed down and kidneys intact.

If I REALLY wanna hammer, anywhere in the desert AND do it as fast or faster than a Raptor AND be able to go places it can't (fit)...I take this!

Makes sense with the width being the limiting issue. I was also wondering if you had a razor as that would be my other choice for desert running.

Hopefully the factory will build the 392 to be a rubi with bypass or at least reservoir shocks and hydrobumps. Then we'd have the ultimate gladiator.

 

[NachoRuby]

Swapping a frame out might be hard? Unless you're a legit mechanic (NOT technician) the labor costs would be insane.

The "might" bit was sarcasm. I was conceding to your point about the frame. Indeed, it would be hard to swap out a frame. I was saying the cast iron knuckles would be easy, and something really that could be done when it's time to do balljoints, if desired, but you are correct on the frame portion. Anything other than the reinforced frame welds: if it fits one gladiator, it will fit all the others.

My point is there's no model that is supreme and able trump the others everywhere. And the ingenuity of some folks, on some builds means anything we think we have on our RubiJaves or Mojavicons will be trumped by someone in a sport and some skill. Stock for stock, all trims have their appeal.

I'd never even seen desert runs like what @ecidiego posted, so that realm of driving is entirely foreign to me, and I understand its appeal. It's awesome. I grew up in Mountain Maryland after starting life in a flat part of (non desert) Texas, so I didn't even know you were allowed to just rip like that anywhere.

There's no question the Mojave is better for the desert. None at all. But the area I live in is rock covered forest, so I expect no desert runs in my future. If there are, I'll take it easy. I'll do what my skill level and my JT can handle. That's why they make both. There's no need for one to be "better" than the other. They all serve a purpose, and can be modified to meet any other purpose. So can all the other trims. Everyone should buy what they like or mod to their heart's content to make it what they like. For my skill level (very little), I'd have been fine in either. But they had no manual Mojaves on the lot, so I got a Rubicon.

BTW, I'm sure a frame swap or reinforcement will be done as people start to wreck these. It's not an unheard of project for the skilled mechanic/machinist. Take the body off, bolt it to a new frame, or add needed welds. I'm sure that's not what you mean, though. No one will do that on a perfectly good JT. But I've seen cool stuff on copart auctions over the years.

 

[shokker70]

This thread feels like it got deep in the weeds! I ended up going Mojave. I'll be more likely to end up on a beach or off the road trails than rock crawling. And NO ONE in DFW had a Rubi they wanted to deal on. Found one online with a discount, but dealer adds put it right back at sticker. No thanks.

Managed to find a Gecko Green Mojave with a $56K sticker and a $6K discount incl a $1000 incentive. Had about $2K in dealer adds, but still put me below invoice or close. Haven't plugged in the numbers to get specific.

35s going on this week. Considering the AEV 2" spacer lift. Ride so far is night and day with the small amount of driving I've done so. But we don't exactly buy Jeeps for ride quality.

 

[ecidiego]

This thread gives me gas

 

[The White Rabbit]

My Max tow with steel bumpers flies down bumpy roads that before caused me to bounce around.

I’ve noticed that if I’m carrying about 300-400lbs in the bed the ride in my Mojave with max tow springs in the rear is very close to stock Mojave springs.

 

[The White Rabbit]

This thread gives me gas

That was the frijoles in your breakfast taco my friend. ?

 

[Sonoran_Mohavey]

The internet never changes lol too much keyboard theory crafting and not enough driving

Can't we all just be happy we are not driving Tacoma's

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