Which one to order/buy?

[dcmdon]

I couldn't do a Wrangler. Its got a pitiful amount of cargo space and tows less than the Volvo sedan I was coming out of.

I don't need a pickup truck. I have a trailer for pickup truck stuff. But I do need a lot of covered inside space for a dog crate, skis, bikes, decoys.

So I got the Gladiator with a cap. It serves my needs perfectly. I really love it. And I dig how it looks too.

One other great thing about a Gladiator is that if you have a toneau or cap, you can remove the freedom panels and just put them in back. you can't really do that in a Wrangler. At least not and have any room left.

I think if you are going to put a cap on a Gladiator, a body colored roof with a black cap is the best looking combination.

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[Nighthawk Rubi]

I couldn't do a Wrangler. Its got a pitiful amount of cargo space and tows less than the Volvo sedan I was coming out of.

I don't need a pickup truck. I have a trailer for pickup truck stuff. But I do need a lot of covered inside space for a dog crate, skis, bikes, decoys.

So I got the Gladiator with a cap. It serves my needs perfectly. I really love it. And I dig how it looks too.

One other great thing about a Gladiator is that if you have a toneau or cap, you can remove the freedom panels and just put them in back. you can't really do that in a Wrangler. At least not and have any room left.

I think if you are going to put a cap on a Gladiator, a body colored roof with a black cap is the best looking combination.

Exactly what I'm thinking of/looking for!

How does Mojave does in snow? We have approx 150' per year here in Deep Creek Lake area so wondering.

 

[Nighthawk Rubi]

I don't think you're going to find many, if anyone, who regrets getting a gladiator over a Wrangler on this board. We have both. We love them both differently. My gladiator is on 35s. My wife's wrangler is bone stock, other than shocks and teraflex ball joints.

As far as Rubi vs Mojave, or Gas vs Diesel.... I'm sure strong opinions will soon ensue.

My take: drive both, pick what you like. If you want diesel, that does eliminate the Mojave. Either Mojave or Rubicon will run 35s stock just fine. So will a sport/willys/overland/high altitude (or any trim/package I'm leaving out) with very minor mods.

I chose the gladiator because I got tired of always needing to borrow a truck. When you need a truck, you need it. Plus, it's just a little different, so I liked the uniqueness.

Gotcha! Seems like I'm going to aim for gas at the moment - looks like issues with diesel will arise and wouldn't want to deal with it. Any pictures of yours w/ 35?

 

[Nighthawk Rubi]

I needed the truck. If you are doing low level 4 wheelin then why a Rubi or a Mojave? Why move to 35" tires if you want it as a daily driver? Keep it stock if you want the best bang for the buck for a DD. Your other choices are an Overland(luxury) or a loaded Sport S......

Need something with capability in case esp where I live and the routes I take it on - seems like these two are better choice for me. 35' will give me more clearance ( we get approx 150' snow per year here in Deep Creek Lake )

 

[Nighthawk Rubi]

I do the same type of driving as you do. I went with an Overland because it does everything I need and they look good with bigger tires on the stock wheels and after blacking out the emblems. After after the tires and emblems, I got a fully loaded Overland for the price of a base model Rubicon. I also scored a take off rubicon suspension for $250 shortly after I bought it.

I wouldn’t consider the diesel till they hopefully sort out the cooling issues.

Looks like I'm going to stay away from Diesel - seems lot of common issues arise with this set up. Thats good to know!

 

[Nighthawk Rubi]

I got my Gladiator because I needed a pickup, wanted the ability to have the top and doors off, and do some off-roading/overlanding. I choose gas because of reliability and easy of fueling. I got the Auto because my other vehicle is a stick shift sports sedan. To be honest, if the Gladiator were my only means of transportation and I commuted on the highway everyday, I would have opted for the Bronco. And finally, it looks so BAD A..!!!!!! Best looking truck I've ever owned.

Ha did look at Bronco but they are way too expensive and cant really tow anything.

 

[Nighthawk Rubi]

Traded my 2019 JLUR

For my 2021 Mojave

No regrets whatsoever and I loved the Rubicon. This truck is awesome. Grab a Mojave and get the cold weather group, aux switches, and Alpine. You’ll love it. My 2

Beautiful!!! Is its all stock? Def need to grab cold weather esp here in Deep Creek Lake.

 

[Gvsukids]

Exactly what I'm thinking of/looking for!

How does Mojave does in snow? We have approx 150' per year here in Deep Creek Lake area so wondering.

Lots of reviews, here are a couple ...
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...owners-how-does-your-truck-handle-snow.43016/

 

[Rahkmalla]

- Why did you guys choose Gladiator

I didn't. It chose me. I originally ordered a Bronco, but long story short ended up in a gladiator as sort of a long-term loaner situation until my bronco showed up. 4 months with my gladiator was enough to say fuck the bronco so I ordered a gladiator the way i wanted it (loaner wasn't my choice of spec)

- Rubicon or Mojave?

Personal preference really. I went mojave because my truck needs don't include rock crawling, but i still wanted at least one locker and the mojave looks the best stock IMO. I've heard it's road manners are also the best, but that's a contentious viewpoint to say the least. Never drove a rubicon to personally confirm or deny.

- Gas or Diesel

Manual, so no choice in the matter for me. Made choosing Mojave easier as well, because if you really want an automatic the diesel is the better engine. But it's also an expensive engine. 26mpg sounds great, until you realize diesel is 25% more than gas, so standardizing fuel costs 26mpg diesel is equivalent to 20.8mpg gas. A well driven gas can pull off 19mpg. 1.8 miles per gallon at 4 dollars a gallon is 1.8 cents per mile. Fuel savings alone it will take 220k miles for the diesel to pay itself off in fuel savings. Now, don't forget it's the faster engine too and plenty of people pay 3k for a faster engine with worse gas mileage on lots of cars. Your value judgement will vary, but all these factors should come into play.

- Any regrets on not picking Wrangler instead?

Honestly the wrangler was barely even a consideration in my buying process oddly enough. Sure i floated it a few times. Played with B&P countlessly, but my considerations always fell down to Bronco, Tacoma, or Gladiator, with Wrangler being a very distant 4th.

 

[joeym7]

Two decisions.

Do you want a pick-up truck in your life and the freedom/flexibility it offers?

On Mojave vs Rubi, both world class, but based on how you described your use-profile in post#1, IMO, the Mojave would be a better fit for you.

That is how I came to my decision fwiw.

 

[dcmdon]

Exactly what I'm thinking of/looking for!

How does Mojave does in snow? We have approx 150' per year here in Deep Creek Lake area so wondering.

Snow performance is 50% tires, 40% driver skill, and 10% vehicle capability.

I've been driving on winter tires for the last 20 years. My wife's AWD Volvo on Michelin snows is a beast in the snow. I've had light fluffy snow pushing up over the hood and it still moved forward.

The Mojave on its base Falken AT tires is surprisingly great. I was prepared to buy snows for it but stock ran out nationally before I could. So I used the ATs last winter and was surprised at how great it was.

If you get the MT tires, prepare for them to suck in the snow. After I experienced how great the Falken ATs were, I spent some time researching and found that that was the general consensus.

But if you want the utmost in snow traction and stability get a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3. 285/70-17 and 315/70-17 should be available this summer.

 

[dcmdon]

One other thing. If you live in a snowy area, spend the extra $600 for the SelectTrack all wheel drive system.

The ability to keep it in 4H-Auto pretty much all winter is really great.

 

[GOT FLOYD]

We have both. I loved the looks of the gladiator since day 1. The versatility of a truck and a much better ride with my Mojave. I added 285/75/17 toyo at's. Drive them both, there is no wrong decision. Good luck

 

[Willpower1]

OP , yes mine is all stock except for the cowl lights and Weathertech mud flaps. Also, I agree with everything dcmdon says above. We dont get much snow where I am, but occasionally we do, as well as ice. With decent tires I’m not afraid to drive in anything if I have to. The key to driving in icy conditions, to me anyway, is to go notably slower than you think you could, and know the art of using a steering wheel strategically, and NOT using the gas or the brakes strategically. Those things have served me well anyway. Never be in a hurry.
I did get the chance this year to use the Mojave in ice/snow. Performed like a champ.

 

[cafecito]

- Why did you guys choose Gladiator
- Rubicon or Mojave?
- Gas or Diesel
- Any regrets on not picking Wrangler instead?

1. My wife had a Rav4 at the time, and having two mid-size SUVs seemed stupid when I had the option to get a truck bed instead. Do I use the bed often? No. But I use it more often than I do either of the back seats considering I don't have any kids, so I'm wasting space regardless.

2. Considering these are both premium trim levels with very specific purposes, that factored into my decision a lot. Daily driving is going to be daily driving no matter what you pick.

For me, living in Orlando, it was a simple question of whether or not I ever saw myself doing anything that a Rubicon was intended for. No, not in Florida anyway. And, even if I were to want to do that rock crawling stuff, I would do it in a 2-door Wrangler, not in this abomination. To me, the long wheel base and existence of a bed go directly against the Rubicon M.O. However, spirited driving on rough terrain? Big shocks to soak up even the nastiest potholes? Stronger frame and knuckles? Mojave was a no-brainer...

3. Diesel isn't an option with the Mojave, but with all of the issues I am hearing with it, I wouldn't have gone with it even if it were a choice. It's $4-5k more for more low-end torque, and requires more expensive fuel, more expensive oil changes, DEF, and is much more likely to experience issues than the Pentastar. If you REALLY, REALLY need that low-end torque, go for it, but it's going to cost you in more ways than one.

4. Considering they announced the 392 a few weeks after I got my Mojave? Yes. For what I do day to day, having a tailgate would be much nicer than the bed, but it's not the end of the world. I have a soft spot for big stupid Scat Pack and Hellcat engines though, so having a Jeep that could roar like those would be a dream come true...

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