Why Mojave?

[Phishs]

I currently own a 21 Rubicon and I love it but am considering buying a new one when the interior refresh comes out. I really don’t want to buy the same exact truck so considering a Mojave but am not seeing the benefits over a Rubicon for the same price. I’m hoping someone can convince me. I see it as giving up the sway bar disconnect, front locker, steel rear bumper, rear bed rock rails and 1,000 lbs in towing for better shocks, steel steering knuckles, more bolsters in the seats / steering wheel, being able to drive faster in 4WD and 1” higher in the front. Just seems like not a fair trade off to me which is the conclusion I came to when buying my current truck but would like to try something new. I have also never seen a desert or a beach I could drive on in my life but I don’t go rock climbing either.

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[Sandevino]

This guy went through the process of deciding between the Sport S Max Tow, Mojave and Rubicon and spoiler, went for the Mojave.

Pros and Cons of 3 most popular Gladiator Trims

His use case was a bit different than mine but I like the thought process he went through to arrive at his decision.

 

[JT1]

I currently own a 21 Rubicon and I love it but am considering buying a new one when the interior refresh comes out. I really don’t want to buy the same exact truck so considering a Mojave but am not seeing the benefits over a Rubicon for the same price. I’m hoping someone can convince me. I see it as giving up the sway bar disconnect, front locker, steel rear bumper, rear bed rock rails and 1,000 lbs in towing for better shocks, steel steering knuckles, more bolsters in the seats / steering wheel, being able to drive faster in 4WD and 1” higher in the front. Just seems like not a fair trade off to me which is the conclusion I came to when buying my current truck but would like to try something new. I have also never seen a desert or a beach I could drive on in my life but I don’t go rock climbing either.

Interesting discussion.

How much time do you spend in 4L versus driving on paved and unpaved roads?

 

[Killroy Was Here]

Not to be a smart a**, as that's not my intent.

But if you don't rock climb, why would you miss the front sway bar disconnect or the front locker?

I was also of the impression that the steel rear bumper & bed protectors don't come standard on the Rubicon, but are an additional cost option, though I could be mistaken on that.

 

[Rahkmalla]

so you've already listed most of the larger benefits of the Mojave. There are a LOT of other little pieces all over the truck like reinforced motor and transmission mounts, but frankly they are too numerous and too individually inconsequential for me to memorize or bother looking up again.

First things first, do you use the extra 1000lbs in towing or ever intend to? if yes, you can't switch. If no, forget about it.

As for what sold most of us on the mojave:
covering the suspension changes as "better shocks" is pretty reductive. The suspension is noticeably better for fast offroad driving, and a large majority agree it's also the superior on-road suspension setup in the gladiator as well. Even if you don't have plans for blasting around off-road, your mojave suspension will eat speed bumps.
The bolstered seats make a larger difference in comfort than you'd imagine without having test driven them (i went from a willys for 6 months to a mojave for the past year+ and it makes a difference, trust me).
The lack of a sway bar disconnect does suck, but the OEM one reconnects itself at 25mph so if you wanted to use your Mojave for what it was meant for you'd need an aftermarket SBD anyway. I recommend Apex autoLYNX. i routinely hit 30+ and would be annoyed if my swaybar kept coming back together when i needed that softness while i was hitting ruts the hardest.
cool hood (can we just be honest and admit the completely functionless hood was a part of our decision making process Mojave people? We don't need to dance around it, we can be honest that cool looking things look cool)

Honestly, i have very little interest in changing your mind. I just think you should test drive one, and see if the truck itself changes your mind. If not, that's cool. Rubicons are a blast. But so are Mojaves.

While you're out testing driving though, see if you can't find a Freedom Maxtow to put around in. That's a really cool build that I feel doens't get enough love.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Not to be a smart a**, as that's not my intent.

But if you don't rock climb, why would you miss the front sway bar disconnect or the front locker?

I was also of the impression that the steel rear bumper & bed protectors don't come standard on the Rubicon, but are an additional cost option, though I could be mistaken on that.

I never rock climb and LOVE my sway bar disconnect. Why? Comfort. Blasting around rutted out trails is better when you're disconnected.

steel rear bumper and bed protectors are standard on rubicon, it's the front that's optional

 

[Phishs]

Interesting discussion.

How much time do you spend in 4L versus driving on paved and unpaved roads?

So far, none.

 

[Phishs]

Not to be a smart a**, as that's not my intent.

But if you don't rock climb, why would you miss the front sway bar disconnect or the front locker?

I was also of the impression that the steel rear bumper & bed protectors don't come standard on the Rubicon, but are an additional cost option, though I could be mistaken on that.

I’ve always been of the mindset better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Not saying I won’t ever go but haven’t been yet. Also, the steel rear bumper and bed protectors are standard on the Rubicon.

 

[JT1]

So far, none.

Fair answer. Every mile you drive in 2H or 4H is on pavement. And thats what the Mojave excels at. You get to use the extra $2000 worth of decent shocks every time you drive it.

The steel knuckles and frame reinforcements are good upgrades, but the shocks are the star of the show. And with no rocks, the 4:1 transfer case doesn't get to shine in it's element.

 

[Jobofly]

I’ve always been of the mindset better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Not saying I won’t ever go but haven’t been yet. Also, the steel rear bumper and bed protectors are standard on the Rubicon.

If that is your logic then I think you answered your own question of which model to get.

 

[Phishs]

so you've already listed most of the larger benefits of the Mojave. There are a LOT of other little pieces all over the truck like reinforced motor and transmission mounts, but frankly they are too numerous and too individually inconsequential for me to memorize or bother looking up again.

First things first, do you use the extra 1000lbs in towing or ever intend to? if yes, you can't switch. If no, forget about it.

As for what sold most of us on the mojave:
covering the suspension changes as "better shocks" is pretty reductive. The suspension is noticeably better for fast offroad driving, and a large majority agree it's also the superior on-road suspension setup in the gladiator as well. Even if you don't have plans for blasting around off-road, your mojave suspension will eat speed bumps.
The bolstered seats make a larger difference in comfort than you'd imagine without having test driven them (i went from a willys for 6 months to a mojave for the past year+ and it makes a difference, trust me).
The lack of a sway bar disconnect does suck, but the OEM one reconnects itself at 25mph so if you wanted to use your Mojave for what it was meant for you'd need an aftermarket SBD anyway. I recommend Apex autoLYNX. i routinely hit 30+ and would be annoyed if my swaybar kept coming back together when i needed that softness while i was hitting ruts the hardest.
cool hood (can we just be honest and admit the completely functionless hood was a part of our decision making process Mojave people? We don't need to dance around it, we can be honest that cool looking things look cool)

Honestly, i have very little interest in changing your mind. I just think you should test drive one, and see if the truck itself changes your mind. If not, that's cool. Rubicons are a blast. But so are Mojaves.

While you're out testing driving though, see if you can't find a Freedom Maxtow to put around in. That's a really cool build that I feel doens't get enough love.

I did test drive them all when I was buying my current one and I could tell that the Mojave was a bit more comfy on the asphalt. I do like the suspension, hood and orange accents better than the Rubicon but never thought it was worth giving up the other stuff. I don’t currently need the extra 1,000 lbs towing but it’s nice to know you have it just in case. I am leaning towards Mojave because I’d hate to buy the same truck twice. I just don’t want to regret it.

 

[Phishs]

Fair answer. Every mile you drive in 2H or 4H is on pavement. And thats what the Mojave excels at. You get to use the extra $2000 worth of decent shocks every time you drive it.

The steel knuckles and frame reinforcements are good upgrades, but the shocks are the star of the show. And with no rocks, the 4:1 transfer case doesn't get to shine in it's element.

Good points, thank you.

 

[Sandevino]

The upgraded shocks are nice as are the iron knuckles.

I've ordered a set of iron knuckles ($1k) and expect to have the here next week.

The shocks are good and a vast upgrade from those on my Overland.

 

[Phishs]

The upgraded shocks are nice as are the iron knuckles.

I've ordered a set of iron knuckles ($1k) and expect to have the here next week.

The shocks are good and a vast upgrade from those on my Overland.

Wow, I didn’t realize the knuckles would be that big of an upgrade. Thanks!

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

the interior refresh

All sources seem to think that is going to amount to a different/larger screen and maybe power seats.

Probably for less than 5k you can buy those parts out right, install in your '21, sell the OEMs, recoup ~2k of your cost, and not be 60k+ in the hole.

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