What Was Your 1st Impression of your Mojave?

[Trophyhill]

So I recently purchased a new 22 Mojave a few weeks ago and it took a little getting used to in the street because the steering is so responsive compared to the full size pickups of my past. I am extremely happy with the handling on the street.

Now for the good part, which is why I chose the Mojave. I was in Colorado this weekend scouting for an upcoming deer/elk hunt in November. The big trucks of the past felt like the bed was going to rattle off the frame on those washboard roads. I went everywhere I used to go in my lifted full size trucks without ever scraping the skid plates. This thing seemed to glide over those ripples on the forest roads. I knew right then and there I made the right choice!
The suspension is great and the tight turning ability on hairpin turns is outstanding!

I was able to go over the rock with no problem as well. I'd get an occasional thump on the bump stops when hitting deep mud holes but I'm extremely happy and give it an A plus for the Rocky Mountain forest roads I travel and have no doubt it will do just fine on the high plains BLM roads and forest roads I navigate here in NM.

So what were your thoughts after getting on the off roads you frequent?

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[jac04]

The Mojave suspension, IMO, is simply magical. Especially when at higher speeds over washed-out dirt roads with whoops.

I agree that you have to get used to the 'thump' of the front hydraulic bump stops, but that's just how they work and they never feel harsh.

 

[Lunentucker]

My very first impression on the 100 mile drive home form the dealership was something like, "I'm taking this POS back tomorrow!"

The dealership was closing when we left, and two blocks away I got a check engine light after a little bit of a hard throttle.

On the open highway, the thing was all over he place.
Later I learned that it was lifted, but with no measures taken to correct geometry and caster.
It's my first Jeep. I simply didn't know.

In the light of day it was better, but still drove horribly.


These forums and other sources provided immeasurable help in getting me started on making the vehicle into what I wanted it to be.
The CEL was an easy fix, and tens of thousands of miles later, it has never once returned.
The Mojave now drives and handles wonderfully, thanks to correction brackets, alignment, and some other tinkering I have done.

Off-road? Yes to the Hell YES!
I can fly over washboards, rocks and uneven terrain and giggle about it.

 

[PW45]

Absolutely loved it. I had a Power Wagon and a JKUR at the time, and compared to those 2, the Mojave was a fricking dream. And was completely confirmed once I got it off the asphalt

 

[Willpower1]

I thought it was the coolest, best handling, best looking truck I’d ever owned, maybe even seen. Loved it. Half doors and a soft top added and I love it even more.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Initial impression was "I can't wait to get this thing out in the desert" followed by "man those railroad tracks at 75mph were nothing". I told myself it would stay stock, by 1,100 miles the 2" AEV lift and 37s were ordered. Still the best riding Jeep I've ever owned.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

My first thought was, this one has everything we want or need right now, we can just put our cooler and chairs in it and go wheel lol.

Then I went through a plowed field at 45 mph on the test drive without lifting... Jeep has done a very poor job of marketing this package lol.

 

[Pat Witt]

This is my 4th jeep a LJ, JK,JKR and now my Mojave and by far the smoothest ride of all it did take some getting used to while wheeling just because of the length but it's nice.

 

[VA-Rayne]

The Mojave package is phenomenal ! Rides great on road but really shines higher speeds off road...it eats up rougher terrains.

 

[MrBones]

Coming from a JKUR that only had a spring level and 33’s with spacers, the Mojave ride is miles ahead.

 

[jjdustr340]

Traded in an 80th Anniversary Edition JT for my 23 Mojave.
My honest first impression was "my God these seats are sooooo much nicer than the other Gladiator.". Then I noticed how much more smooth the daily drive was first time I drove to work. It just eats up every bump, like road to bridge transitions, like they don't exist.

 

[JonMN]

I'm coming from a slightly different perspective . . . I wanted a fun vehicle that was also practical. we have a full size truck, and I did not want another full size. Also, I wanted something that I would drive all year, even though we have a long snow/salt season. Finally, I did not want boring (aka Ridgeline).

I will be the first to admit that rather than try all the trim packages on the JT, I read a LOT of threads and reviews and focused on the Mojave.

So, my trade was a 2019 C7 Corvette GS convertible for my Mojave X Gladiator. The Vette had 5 years but only 12K miles. Short MN season, not practical, good roads only, etc. It was a pain keeping track of potholes, manhole covers, and especially curbs (my wife would get out to guide me in if I needed to angle park). Also a pain to remove the front facia if you need to change a headlight bulb.

My wife and I are both really happy with the trade. We took one drive with the Freedom panels out and ordered a Sunrider top the same day. Open the top, put down the windows, and it's almost a convertible.

Impressions compared to the Vette (LOL)
Acceleration: Vette: 0-60 about 3.9 sec. JT: eventually . . . (but fast enough for me)
Cornering: JT lacks a G-force meter like the Vette had. But I am REALLY surprised how fast it can take corners. Way better than our F150 or RX350.
Steering: The Vette had 3 settings: Touring, Sport and Track. The JT feels a lot like the Touring setting. I preferred Sport setting, but getting used to the JT.
Interior: Both are great. Really surprised how nice the Mojave interior is.
Fun: Different but in a good way for us. And use the truck box fairly often.

[For anyone interested, my trade-in thread is here: LINK It was fun to see others that made a similar decision.]

 

[OffAxis2021]

My bought new and self-ordered 2022 Mojave is my first Jeep and I absolutely love it.

When I discovered the Mojave in mid/late 2021, there were no other options. I had to have it. I thought it to be a “budget Raptor/TRX” and it just fits my style. Yeah, yeah, Rubicon… always very aware/familiar, but I just never wanted a Wrangler and I’m not a rock crawler. I drive Silver Lake Sand Dunes (west side Michigan) and higher speed trails. I test drove nothing before signing the papers. I did however take a friend’s 392 for a drive… just to get some sort of feel, before ordering.

I had not been in a Wrangler in I do not know how many years. I think I was still a teenager. Now 52. I did sit in a Mojave in a dealership showroom, but apparently I looked too poor or something, because no one acknowledged my presence the entire time I sat in and made vroom vroom noises. Haha! Definitely went to another dealership.

My nextdoor neighbor had a Gladiator, but I don’t know what trim package it was. It did not catch my eye and it was Snazzberry, which I wish I would have chosen honestly.

I do not at all miss the bought new 2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, as I am just not and never will be an SUV guy. Prior to said 4Runner, I had a bought new 2012 Toyota Tundra Crewmax “Rock Warrior” and that one I do sometimes miss. It was such a BEAST! Before the switch to Toyota in 2012, I grew up driving nothing but General Motors 4x4s.

I have ZERO COMPLAINTS about my first ever Jeep.

 

[azmojave]

I wanted a Gladiator since it came out, but couldn't help but wonder how the same engine in my slow JK was going to move a bigger vehicle and tow more. With the new 8 speed transmission and 4.10 gears I was blown away by the responsiveness of the JT. I thought a Rubicon was in my future but when the Mojave dropped I had to have it. I found a Sarge Green one and made it mine.

 

[Stan H]

I took one look at the build sheet and said pffft no front locker .. next .. ah yes a Rubicon ..hook me up !!!

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