Mojave vs Rubicon

[wizardfitz]

Seen YouTube comparisons, what’s the real world , seat of the pants difference?

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[DavidArmen]

I believe the main difference is the difference in suspension. The Mojave comes from the factory with fox shocks.

 

[Redbaron73]

On the gladiator, the mojave is 1.5in taller, has remote reservoir fox shocks, rear locker only.

It has a thicker front frame, beefier suspension and steering components.

The rear had beefier shock mount.

The downside is that any lift will negate the reason for buying a mojave. Ots meant for high speed desert jumping and racing. Think Baja truck. It's not a rock krawler and never will be a good trail rig due to the limits of height and lack of front locker.

Its not trail rated.

 

[Kurt0]

Seen YouTube comparisons, what’s the real world , seat of the pants difference?

ive discussed the Mojave with Fox engineering at a bit of length as I sorted out my build. I got the Mojave because of how much better it drives (less pitch, roll, and dive; much better damping). It uses 2.5” IBP remote reservoir shocks with ~9” travel as standard. It sits 1” higher than a rubicon from stiffer front springs of same free length as rubicon. The slight articulation advantage over rubicon comes from softer rear springs. It also makes the truck ride much better. Mojave does not have the 4:1 xfer case, but that doesnt matter to me.

you give up the front locker and elec sway disconnect for these shocks, SRT steering wheel & deeper bucket seats, and the big one- a retuned and stiffened frame. This is why i bought it...ive broken the coil bucket off an overland rig before, so this was a major selling point to me. There’s nothing that the Rubicon offers cannot be easily replicated on the market. The mojave cannot be replicated without extensive body-off fabrication.

ive lifted mine on a combination of parts starting with a mojave specific spring kit. You can use others as long as you do not deviate more than 1” of piston extension above neutral between your spring/spacer combo. I currently sit with pistons at neutral 4” above rubicon up front and 3 above out rear. the lift was finished throughout with a combination of mostly Clayton off road and synergy parts. It drives amazingly well.

if someone is buying a gladiator for rock bashing, then perhaps the rubicon offers some advantage. The elec sway disconnect is more convenient than my manual ones. Front lockers come in handy for extreme cases, especially for unskilled drivers. In 4 continents of heavy truck use Ive never personally needed one, so i didnt consider that of value. i do see many offroaders use it to try and compensate for poor skills. If i change my mind, Ill add one. (Shrug). I may change out to some longer travel shocks as the market comes up with options, simply because my springs allow for it, but the damping and ride of the stock ones is superb. It also requires a fairly high expenditure to match the performance of these....although i think (just imo) a speed sensitive piston will suit me as well as a position sensitive one.

but, the Mojave remains the superior spec. The Rubicon is basically a sport with some parts tossed at it, and the Mojave had to be a bit more engineered. Especially for the overlander or person who feels the shock solution works well for them.

ive been overall extremely happy with this truck, and driving it back to back with a rubicon on the dealer lot left me with no questions as to which was better for my uses.

But, as @Redbaron73 pointed out, it’s not “trail rated” ? I solve this by carrying a bag of play-sand around in the bed, so when I hit dirt, i just sprinkle some on the ground and my magical “desert rated” badge activates. Im still working on how To not get some ‘thumbs down’ from wrangler owners i wave at. Havent cracked that code yet.

 

[MauiSteve]

I didn't think the Mojave had the 4:1 transfer case. If so, major difference there.

 

[Arterius2]

@Kurt0
Same thoughts.
Seriously considering the Mojave as my next truck.

 

[Kurt0]

I didn't think the Mojave had the 4:1 transfer case. If so, major difference there.

That is correct, it has the 2 point whatever case, and something a dedicated rockcrawer may want. I couldnt care less about it.

i dont think the Mojave makes as much sense as a wrangler. It makes a ton of sense as a gladitor.

$.02

 

[Kurt0]

@Kurt0
Same thoughts.
Seriously considering the Mojave as my next truck.

my only complaint is that it should have come with the 5.7.

so, i got a supercharger. ??‍

 

[Arterius2]

my only complaint is that it should have come with the 5.7.

so, i got a supercharger. ??‍

Did it make use of the fake hood scoop?

 

[Kurt0]

Did it make use of the fake hood scoop?

no. But the 392 uses it as a functional ram air, apparently. Mojave guys are already scheming to rig it up.

id guess by next year youll be able to get a roto-molded ram air for a mojave. Doesnt matter to me personally. I find the banks intake with my 80mmTB breathes plenty and I’ll use my mopar for snorkel fitment on trips.

i do hope It hppens, though, because its cool

 

[aldo98229]

I was having my Fiat serviced a couple of days ago and got to wander the CDJR lot.

Noticed a few things:

1. They only have 3 JLs in stock but 12 JTs
2. 7 of the JTs were Mojaves and Rubicons
3. The Rubicon has a little bit of front rake; the Mojave doesn’t
4. The Rubicon extends the rock rails to the rear overhang; Mojave doesn’t. Instead, Mojave has a plastic cover back there that pretends to be a rock rail (?)
5. I think all Mojaves have standard leather seats; they are optional on Rubicon

I like Gladiator a lot, but I find a JT Rubicon a bit of a compromise. If I wanted that level of off-road capability, I might as well would get a JLUR.

 

[Kurt0]

I was having my Fiat serviced a couple of days ago and got to wander the CDJR lot.

Noticed a few things:

1. They only have 3 JLs in stock but 12 JTs
2. 7 of the JTs were Mojaves and Rubicons
3. The Rubicon has a little bit of front rake; the Mojave doesn’t
4. The Rubicon extends the rock rails to the rear overhang; Mojave doesn’t. Instead, Mojave has a plastic cover back there that looks like a rock rail (?)
5. I think all Mojaves have standard leather seats; they are optional on Rubicon

I like Gladiator a lot, but I find a JT Rubicon a bit of a compromise. If I want that level of off-road capability, I might as well get a JLUR.

i think another thing to keep in mind is that I didnt(and most glad owners) didnt go into jeep looking at the JLU and leave with the JT. I got the JT over the Taco/Colorado/Ranger.

it’s a similar, but not identical, market. A JLUR (as cool as they are!) would be a terrible choice of vehicle for me. I need a pick up 300+ days/yr. what I wanted was as close a thing as i could get to the LC7XPU i had in africa, and the Glad was it.

not sure what you mean about the rock rail thing. The “sand rail” is the same under the body. The Mojave doesnt come with the steel under the bed, though, if thats what you mean. Guys who need them just add them.

 

[Arterius2]

no. But the 392 uses it as a functional ram air, apparently. Mojave guys are already scheming to rig it up.

id guess by next year youll be able to get a roto-molded ram air for a mojave. Doesnt matter to me personally. I find the banks intake with my 80mmTB breathes plenty and I’ll use my mopar for snorkel fitment on trips.

i do hope It hppens, though, because its cool

Glad to find someone so knowledgeable about the Mojave here! I might send you a PM and get some pointers when I decide to swap out for a Mojave down the road.

I recently help a friend pick out a Gladiator and convinced him to get the Mojave instead of a Rubicon since he does not rock crawl.

I basically listed all the reasons you mentioned and told him that if you were to mod it like a Rubicon the parts are readily available, but if you want to mod a Rubicon into a Mojave you are out of luck or paying big bucks. Also my only complaint is that it came in 3.6 which felt a little under powered at times.

 

[Redbaron73]

i dont think the Mojave makes as much sense as a wrangler. It makes a ton of sense as a gladitor.

$.02

I agree with this 100%. The 4 door wrangler already is challenged with serious rock crawling. The gladiator is more so.

Taking a wrangler on a high speed mojave or Baja trail is a disaster waiting, even with the "Mojave" upgrades, the shorter wheel base works against it, where the gladiator is perfect for this.

Know your driving intentions and the physical limitations of the vehicle you choose before buying.

Sadly most buyers like the "name" or "color" and don't look much further. That's why we see 20in wheels on wranglers.

 

[aldo98229]

I am referring to the lower section of the bed between the rear fender and the rear bumper: Rubicon has rock rails there; Mojave has those plastic covers.

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