Should I go Rubicon or Mojave?

[Wrathis79]

One other thought - and smart of you to ask these questions before a purchase - have you considered the Sport Max Tow? You have a 3,000 trailer and while the standard tow rating for the Gladiator is 4,000 - 4,500 pounds, you might want to consider the Max Tow which will put you up to 7,650 pounds.

Copied from a Max Tow thread, this is what comes with the Max Tow ($1245) - might be an outdated price...

• Trac-Lok® Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Heavy-Duty Dana 44 Wide Front Axle
• Heavy-Duty Dana 44 Wide Rear Axle
• Daytime Running Lamp System
• 240-Amp Alternator (Unavailable with some configurations)
• 245/75R17 All-Terrain Tires (Unavailable with some configurations)
• Class IV Receiver Hitch (Unavailable with some configurations)
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling (Unavailable with some configurations)
• Trailer Hitch Zoom (Unavailable with some configurations)

Max tow also includes anti-spin rear diff (limited slip).

Still a rugged truck that you can modify, but gives you a little extra towing capacity. Food for thought.

Just to piggy back on this: I have a new Mojave with the factory trailer tow group. I called FCA to get an idea on what my Jeep is rated to to and was told 6,000lbs. I was honestly worried as I had read some nightmare articles about how bad the Mojave towed. That being said, I have a 4,000lb 19' camper trailer and towed it 5 hours last weekend without incident. Granted, I have a weight distribution hitch and had the trailer brake controller installed, but overall it wasn't bad at all. I just wanted to add my experience to the discussion as something to consider so as to not be scared away from the Mojave. Also, I drove the Rubicon first and then the Mojave and in driveability and aesthetics I felt the Mojave was a considerable upgrade. That's all just personal preference though

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[JTmaybeTX]

So many good responses here for the JTM and the JTR. I'd long been a Rubicon only Jeep buyer. Saw the Mojave briefly on the lot, didn't bother driving it. Again, I'm a multiple "Rubicon only" Wrangler buyer over the years.

On any given week I can be between two states in various seasons of snow, mud, heavy rain, rock slides on small two lane roads going from the desert floor to 6k feet above to the mountain place.
So, I need a set up that can just handle all that.
Therefore, I ordered a loaded up Rubicon JT.

I read a few articles after placing that order about the JTM. They got me curious enough about a JTM. Again, lots of freeway driving too between states. Would it really ride that much better than a JTR?

So, I found a dealership that had a JTM and a JTR in stock and drove about two hours to it. Luckily, the dealership is next to a freeway, city streets and an off road area with lots of ruts, rocks, steep inclines/declines.

I took the JTR out first. Love it. Streets to freeway, to then offload. The newer sales guy is bouncing all around as I'm in 4x4 going through deep ruts, slippery dirt, some water/mud areas, dirt pot hole areas etc.

We then get the JTM and I do the same route. I hit the exact same ruts, off road areas and he says to me, "Wow, why is this one so much smoother?" I laughed as again, he was a newer sales person...who obviously hadn't done his homework. I filled him in.

I then got home, called my dealership and asked if they could put in a JTM order for me as well. They did. This gave me three months to think about both.

On their arrivals, the dealership owners calls me and says each is yours to come play with as you like, make your decision, totally up to you. I went with the Mojave. Felt big time like I was cheating on all my faithful Rubis over the years.

I've had the JTM in heavy snow, mud, desert sand. Does great. And, the freeway ride and riding around the crappy city streets with all the pot holes, it is a much better ride than the Rubicon.

As others have stated, if you don't plan a huge lift, to be swapping out suspension etc, the JTM is really a nice rig as it comes.

I do like the thicker steering wheel and more bolstered seats better for me. I'm 6'2" about 210.

What to watch out for on either JTM OR JTR, the 2021 models had some rear axle leaking issues. Mine did, it was fixed under warranty. Parts arrive at a snail's pace during current times of course.

You've already researched your towing capacity so you should be fine with either in that regard.

Oh, the other option I did go for that I think is well worth it is the Selec Trac full time 4x4 system. In the past, again being in snow one minute, then on a freeway, then into rain, then crossing a state line into a dry area for many miles, I had forgotten more than once to take it out of 4hi, which you need to do with the other system. The full time 4x4 option gives me the option to put it in that, be lazy and not forget to have to shift out of it when back on dry terrain.

So, there's all that to add to your contemplating JTM or JTR.

If you go with the JTM, there is a Jeep Gladiator Mojave Facebook group you might look up. Always a ton of good posts/info on it about mods, parts, lifts tires, wheel sizes, other questions etc.

Hope all the above helps.

This definitely helps, thank you! I’m having a hard time tracking down a Mojave on lot, but I think one dealership near me is getting one in next week, so hopefully i can do the same driving comparison. What kind of MPG’s were you getting stock on your Mojave? I’ve heard that MPG are comparable between the two, but then have seen some less than flattering numbers for both. It’s such a subjective thing, especially since we all drive differently, but I’m certainly curious.

 

[TheGerman]

Rock crawling = Rubicon
Highway cruiser or desert runner = Mojave
Stock height = Mojave
Lifted = Rubicon

Don't forget the interior, I truly dig the gray leather with the orange accent stitching, and the hood with a functioning scoop - sure, can all be obtained aftermarket

 

[NachoRuby]

Don't forget the interior, I truly dig the gray leather with the orange accent stitching, and the hood with a functioning scoop - sure, can all be obtained aftermarket

The hood scoop is not functional on either the Rubicon or the Mojave. It's blocked off, same as the Rubicon vents. You could punch it out, but you could do the same on the Rubicon vents. Not sure if there'd be any gain. Doubtful, or they would have done it from the factory. Euro spec JLs Diesels have the same hood, with the scoop punched out. JL 392 has a similar hood too, and it's functional there as part of the hydro glide. But JT Rubicons and Mojaves both have the vents/scoops blocked off from the factory.

 

[ecidiego]

This definitely helps, thank you! I’m having a hard time tracking down a Mojave on lot, but I think one dealership near me is getting one in next week, so hopefully i can do the same driving comparison. What kind of MPG’s were you getting stock on your Mojave? I’ve heard that MPG are comparable between the two, but then have seen some less than flattering numbers for both. It’s such a subjective thing, especially since we all drive differently, but I’m certainly curious.

I've averaged 14.5 the first 1000 miles. Prob 500 freeway @ 70mph, the rest offroading. Of those freeway miles, half are up grades.

 

[JTmaybeTX]

Just to piggy back on this: I have a new Mojave with the factory trailer tow group. I called FCA to get an idea on what my Jeep is rated to to and was told 6,000lbs. I was honestly worried as I had read some nightmare articles about how bad the Mojave towed. That being said, I have a 4,000lb 19' camper trailer and towed it 5 hours last weekend without incident. Granted, I have a weight distribution hitch and had the trailer brake controller installed, but overall it wasn't bad at all. I just wanted to add my experience to the discussion as something to consider so as to not be scared away from the Mojave. Also, I drove the Rubicon first and then the Mojave and in driveability and aesthetics I felt the Mojave was a considerable upgrade. That's all just personal preference though

Thanks for your input on this. Since we tow at least once a month, I’m definitely interested in how they both different when towing. From what I’ve read, the difference is negligible. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there is a payload capacity difference between the two models, yes?

 

[TheGerman]

The hood scoop is not functional on either the Rubicon or the Mojave. It's blocked off, same as the Rubicon vents. You could punch it out, but you could do the same on the Rubicon vents. Not sure if there'd be any gain. Doubtful, or they would have done it from the factory. Euro spec JLs Diesels have the same hood, with the scoop punched out. JL 392 has a similar hood too, and it's functional there as part of the hydro glide. But JT Rubicons and Mojaves both have the vents/scoops blocked off from the factory.

I stand corrected, somehow I got mixed up. Somewhere in regards to the JTD somebody was mentioning the Mojave hood for better cooling the diesel for towing in the summer time.

 

[Wrathis79]

Thanks for your input on this. Since we tow at least once a month, I’m definitely interested in how they both different when towing. From what I’ve read, the difference is negligible. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there is a payload capacity difference between the two models, yes?

The payload should be 1200lbs either way, but this article should answer some questions and help you make your decision

Jeep JT Gladiator Mojave vs Gladiator Rubicon: What’s the Difference? (motortrend.com)

 

[SnazGlad]

This definitely helps, thank you! I’m having a hard time tracking down a Mojave on lot, but I think one dealership near me is getting one in next week, so hopefully i can do the same driving comparison. What kind of MPG’s were you getting stock on your Mojave? I’ve heard that MPG are comparable between the two, but then have seen some less than flattering numbers for both. It’s such a subjective thing, especially since we all drive differently, but I’m certainly curious.

From experience, having had Rams, Porsche 911 Turbos, Wrangler Rubicons etc, I always say deduct 20 percent from what the window sticker says you will get in MPG and that's about what you will get in the real world.

On the JTM, I'm hitting 18 to 20 when mostly freeway driving. When I throw in the trips from desert floor to 6k feet up and back (obviously using much less fuel on the way back down) I'm getting about 16. This is both by the on board computer telling me the average mpg as well as by a written log I keep on every fill up, miles driven versus gallons put back in.

It's one of those "Smiles per miles" vehicles versus "I bought it for the great gas mileage it gets" whether a Mojave, Rubicon or Sport. My Rubicon Wranglers, last one was a 2017, got around 14 to 18 average depending on driving situation.

 

[JTmaybeTX]

The payload should be 1200lbs either way, but this article should answer some questions and help you make your decision

Jeep JT Gladiator Mojave vs Gladiator Rubicon: What’s the Difference? (motortrend.com)

Thanks for the article. It mentions that the Mojave comes with the max tow package standard, is that not the same for the Rubicon?

 

[Mvitch]

Rock crawling = Rubicon
Highway cruiser or desert runner = Mojave
Stock height = Mojave
Lifted = Rubicon

And if you aren’t worried about the Mojave being 1” wider than Rubi, that improves handling and ride quality as a daily driver.

 

[NachoRuby]

The payload should be 1200lbs either way, but this article should answer some questions and help you make your decision

Jeep JT Gladiator Mojave vs Gladiator Rubicon: What’s the Difference? (motortrend.com)

most of that article is correct, but it is important to note: since lockers are essential for OP, that both models can lock the rear differential in 4 HI, not just Mojave. That was added to the 2021s, and I think the 2020s can do it to with an update from the dealership.

 

[JTmaybeTX]

From experience, having had Rams, Porsche 911 Turbos, Wrangler Rubicons etc, I always say deduct 20 percent from what the window sticker says you will get in MPG and that's about what you will get in the real world.

On the JTM, I'm hitting 18 to 20 when mostly freeway driving. When I throw in the trips from desert floor to 6k feet up and back (obviously using much less fuel on the way back down) I'm getting about 16. This is both by the on board computer telling me the average mpg as well as by a written log I keep on every fill up, miles driven versus gallons put back in.

It's one of those "Smiles per miles" vehicles versus "I bought it for the great gas mileage it gets" whether a Mojave, Rubicon or Sport. My Rubicon Wranglers, last one was a 2017, got around 14 to 18 average depending on driving situation.

Lol, yeah I totally get the smiles per miles vs the mpg thing. I was just curious since I’ve seen some post decent mileage with both. I don’t expect great mileage with either, but every little bit helps I suppose.

 

[Mvitch]

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?

My Mojave gets 23-24 on trips using regular gas minimum 87 octane. Me, the wife, two dogs and 3 bags.

 

[Mvitch]

most of that article is correct, but it is important to note. Since lockers are essential for OP, that both models can lock the rear differential in 4 HI, not just Mojave. That was added to the 2021s, and I think the 2020s can do it to with an update from the dealership.

But you can go faster in the Mojave in 4 wheel high ?

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