Should I go Rubicon or Mojave?

[Ogre_FL]

FYI:
Rubicons, Mojaves, and Overlands have a higher tow rating than most of the other (non Max Tow) Gladiators.
Max Tow - 7650
Automatic Rubicon - 7000
Automatic Overland -6000
Automatic Mojave - 6000
Auto Sport S with (not Max) Tow - 4500
Manual Rubicon/Mojave - 4500
Other Manuals:4000

FYI, Auto Sport (and Sport S) w/tow package (not Max Tow) - 6000
Without the Tow package - 4500

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[JTmaybeTX]

Since overlanding is your thing it depends. If you keep most of the weight in the trailer get the Mojave for your purposes. If you also want to load up the bed while towing then get a Rubicon. Seems like most of the guys who get mojaves to overland spend a lot of time trying to deal with squat and keep the stock suspension. It's a great suspension for fast offroading but you can't expect it to get loaded down and act the same. I laugh when I read that some people wish the Mojave had a Diesel. Poor thing would live on it's front bump stops.

We actually load up the bed with about 300lbs between aquatainers, large cooler, camping gear, etc, as that stuff won’t fit in the trailer, so you bring up an interesting point. It’s not a whole lot, but definitely noticeable, at least on the Frontier.

 

[NachoRuby]

I know mpg is kind of subjective thing between the two since everyone drives differently, but has anyone noticed if either truck gets better fuel economy stock?

No, should be the same. They weigh within 100 lbs. of each other, have the same gear ratios and same tires. The Rubi might get slightly worse mpg because it weighs very slightly more, but then the Mojave is slightly taller in front. In the end, it's a wash.

FYI, Auto Sport (and Sport S) w/tow package (not Max Tow) - 6000
Without the Tow package - 4500

Cool. I thought that seemed kind of low from when I was in the market. I just got my numbers from Jeep.com, which is apparently incorrect. It doesn't add anything for the tow package on the Sport (S)
I trust your numbers though. 4500 seems low. Post edited

 

[Sonoran_Mohavey]

For what its worth, I've got a half rack, an iKamper Mini, gear, 2 adults and a weekend worth of gear and I don't notice a difference in handling and the squat is pretty minimal. The rear does sit a bit lower (1" with rack/tent, and daily gear) but I went into a Mojave knowing that would happen. Its not a noticeable squat in person. I had to measure it to even realize it. There are ways to avoid the squat, but I have not pursued them yet because I don't really feel its an issue in my set up or use.

I was in your boat, but I found the Mojave first and it was what I chose. For sure no regrets for my use

 

[Old Dogger]

Rubicon also has 4H locker, just fyi.

Didn't know that, Thank you Sir..

 

[JTmaybeTX]

For what its worth, I've got a half rack, an iKamper Mini, gear, 2 adults and a weekend worth of gear and I don't notice a difference in handling and the squat is pretty minimal. The rear does sit a bit lower (1" with rack/tent, and daily gear) but I went into a Mojave knowing that would happen. Its not a noticeable squat in person. I had to measure it to even realize it. There are ways to avoid the squat, but I have not pursued them yet because I don't really feel its an issue in my set up or use.

I was in your boat, but I found the Mojave first and it was what I chose. For sure no regrets for my use

Have you towed with the rear loaded?

 

[CFLgladiator]

We actually load up the bed with about 300lbs between aquatainers, large cooler, camping gear, etc, as that stuff won’t fit in the trailer, so you bring up an interesting point. It’s not a whole lot, but definitely noticeable, at least on the Frontier.

I'm not at all saying don't get a Mojave, they are an amazing trim, just do your research. It was a hard choice for me as well, especially because (at least around me) the factory incentives always excluded the Rubicon but not the Mojave so Mojaves we're cheaper by proxy even though both packages MSRP are identical. I will say that I don't plan to overland so the main reason I went a Rubicon is because I didn't want a spacer or shock extension lift.

 

[Sonoran_Mohavey]

Have you towed with the rear loaded?

I have not, sorry!

 

[JTmaybeTX]

I'm not at all saying don't get a Mojave, they are an amazing trim, just do your research. It was a hard choice for me as well, especially because (at least around me) the factory incentives always excluded the Rubicon but not the Mojave so Mojaves we're cheaper by proxy even though both packages MSRP are identical. I will say that I don't plan to overland so the main reason I went a Rubicon is because I didn't want a spacer or shock extension lift.

Oddly enough, I’m seeing the opposite with the market in my area at the moment. Mojave’s are hard to come by and less frequently discounted than the Rubicon. Kind of makes sense though being in South Texas.

 

[NachoRuby]

Oddly enough, I’m seeing the opposite with the market in my area at the moment. Mojave’s are hard to come by and less frequently discounted than the Rubicon. Kind of makes sense though being in South Texas.

Yeah, I got a nice $3500 discount coupon in the mail for being a "loyal" customer (had a compass before, lol) on a Rubicon. They aren't always excluded. I would have gotten a Willys otherwise.

 

[CFLgladiator]

Ya I went through Gupton so I paid 10k less than MSRP. But if I got a Mojave it would've been 11.5k

 

[cotnballs2000]

I'm not sure what the draw of the Mojava is unless you want to prerunner it in the deseret. Its does have a reenforced frame and steel knuckles but its heavier, slower, has less tow rating, and cost more. I wheel out west in the mountians so the Rubican with high crawl ratio, front sway bar disconnect and lockers makes sense to me. I guess it depends what kind of off-roading you are going to do. If you want it just as a truck and just a little off-roading on light trails and dirt road camping I would go with a Sport with big tow and use the money you saved for mods
.

Mojava = 5175lbs/ 0-60 8.5sec/1/4 16.5/tow 6000lbs
Rubicon = 4812lbs/0-60 7.3sec/1/4 15.6/tow 7000lbs

 

[JTmaybeTX]

Ya I went through Gupton so I paid 10k less than MSRP. But if I got a Mojave it would've been 11.5k

Man, all these deals at Gupton have me considering working with them and flying/driving out there to pick one up.

 

[JTmaybeTX]

I'm not sure what the draw of the Mojava is unless you want to prerunner it in the deseret. Its does have a reenforced frame and steel knuckles but its heavier, slower, has less tow rating, and cost more. I wheel out west in the mountians so the Rubican with high crawl ratio, front sway bar disconnect and lockers makes sense to me. I guess it depends what kind of off-roading you are going to do. If you want it just as a truck and just a little off-roading on light trails and dirt road camping I would go with a Sport with big tow and use the money you saved for mods
.

Mojava = 5175lbs/ 0-60 8.5sec/1/4 16.5/tow 6000lbs
Rubicon = 4812lbs/0-60 7.3sec/1/4 15.6/tow 7000lbs

I would definitely go Sport w/Max Tow, but I actually need a rear lock at least. I’ve used the on on my Nissan quite a few times.

 

[hjdca]

The Jeep "Badge of Honor" trails are much harder without a front Locker. So, Rubicon is the answer if you want to do those trails.

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