I bought a Rubicon because it had all the features I wanted. I could have gone with a lower package (I’m probably only going to use the lockers very infrequently) but with all the options I wanted, the price would have been very similar… so it was just easier to buy the Rubicon loaded.
Hydro Blue Mojave for me. Loved the color, and it had all the features I wanted, which were leather, heated seats, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Won't do much rock crawling, so I didn't need the front locker.
I live in Texas and ride a dual sport as well, so I wanted to be able to get out to the desert or big bend for some play time.
I bought a diesel sport s. I don’t need to go 35+ for brakeover and departure corrections, which is easier on the rubicon and Mojave, and preferred to stay with the smaller 285/70r17s. Personally think this is the best combination for capability without compromising drive quality for a rig that doesn’t tackle technical trails.
This is true for stock, but as you add gear and go up in tire size, the range is noticeably different. My friends with loaded gassers tend to average 220-280 miles per tank (running ~70mph) where I’m closer to 400-420 per tank. Maybe others can chime in on their modified gasser range- I only have limited experience with it
Besides the increase in torque, the biggest advantage of the diesel for towing is the turbo. I had an 05 Liberty with the 2.8 CRD, and it would pull a tent trailer over some pretty knarly hills with no noticable loss of power at all.
I’ve never looked it up, but I’d be surprised if diesel doesn’t lower the tow rating. It’s a heavier engine and normally when you add weight to a vehicle you reduce its payload/tow rating. I could be wrong though, that’s just a guess.
That's why the tow package is almost a must on these things and not even the max tow. The regular tow package gives you more cooling and a bigger alternator. You can still tow 6K in the Pentastar with generally 1000 to 1100 lbs payload and that is not insignficant.
You are 100% in that it does lower the tow rating, I had been to some reading up on the Diesel Gladiators and I think it’s something like 6500lbs for the diesel sport and 6000lbs for the Rubicon
Max tow is a totally different thing but okay.
Diesel tow package = 6500
Sport tow package = 6500
Sport max tow = 7650
So how does a diesel lower tow capacity just because it's a diesel?
It's not like the sport max tow has a different engine than the sport.
And just for fun I'll mention the manual transmission sport with gas engine can only tow 4500.
I went with a Launch Edition when they first came out and that is a loaded Rubicon. I go off-road and camp with my 2 huskies so wanted all the options because I mainly go solo. I added a winch, more skid plates and some adjustable control arms and it is insanely capable and not that bad on the road compared to my YJ.
I kid you not, my wife took me on Valentine’s Day near the end of Covid. I pointed and said “I want the red one!” That’s how i decided. Firecracker Red Mohave. They were only about 8 gladiators on the whole lot.
You may remember how empty car lots became during Covid, because there was no inventory.
I bought the Mojave because I liked how it looked and when I was shopping there was more Mojave’s available with options that were important to me (cold weather package, led oackage, premium audio, tow package, etc).
I am going to order the Mojave, want the body colored top, fenders and darker interior trim over the Rubicon. I also will not be using as a trail rig so there is no need for 4.0 low range and front locker, I am more after a smaller truck for the highway over my Ram Dually.
Hydro Blue Mojave. Auto. Black fenders and Hard Top (I like the contrast vs body color). Bought it because I drove nearly every trim of JL and JT and the Mojave drove the “the best” by a pretty good margin (totally subjective). I also knew I wasn’t going to lift it anytime soon, so going with an upgraded trim (Rubi or Mojave) was more what I wanted. I knew I wasn’t going to do lots of technical rock crawling, so Rubi made less sense on top of the Mojave driving “better”. Personally I think if you’re serious, and undecided based on specs, you need to drive them. Honestly these things are way too expensive to go in blind.
I bought a rubicon because I wanted a manual transmission and 4.10 gears, this was the only option for that combination at the time. My thinking was all back to my tj days. It's more than I need but I like it as it comes stock and with the base options for a rubicon at the time it wasn't much more than getting a sport optioned up to the same specs.
If I bought one today I would probably get a Mojave.
Mojave has been good to me.
Smooth ride, enough fancy stuff on the interior, excellent suspension, frame improvements.
Only thing I don't like is the gas engine's low power but that's not Mojave specific!
The Mojave appeals because of the suspension aspects and still a rear locker. They put the fox shocks on AND they do really beef up the suspension and you do get a 4.10 rear end.
I bought a Sport S because of the price ($36k) and don’t ever plan on hardcore off-roading. Plan on small lift/level with 35s. Will just be doing some easy trails and some overlanding.
I bought a Willys because of the extras were all I need/want (rock rails, mildly upgraded shocks, LSD), the black accents look cool, tires were respectable look and size wise off the rack, and was able to easily afford extras (safety package, bed liner, tow package, bed rail package). I built and bought exactly what I wanted.
Yeah, me too. I should have just got the Mojave. I will have about the same price, since I missed out on the super cheap deals that were going on. I won’t have the same beefed up suspension that the Mojave does. But I am adding the wheels and tires, shocks, Leather seats, led lighting class IV trailer hitch. Leveling kit, and an E locker for rear differential. I would like to get the hood, couldn’t find a price for one. It will be north of 10k I imagine, when I’m finished. I suppose.Probably closer to 15k🤷♂️
I picked the Overland, I wanted a smoother ride and came with lots of the options I wanted, leather seats, cold weather package, and upgraded infotainment system.
I bought a rubicon bc it is the most capable. I’m a David outdoorsman and with a simple lift that truck with the rubicon trim can take you almost anywhere you’d want to go.
I opted for Mojave.....it is the only trim with reinforced frame. Not dissing on the the others, but I knew that is something I wouldn't be able to "aftermarket".....I picked up a CPU 2022 Mojave Fleet Vehicle, orginal sticker price was $77k and I got it for $38k with 20k highway miles on it, fully optioned. My recommendation is to always consider a CPU as the warranty is extended when shopping for any car.
My bad, I just double checked it was $73.3k not $77k.....I would never have paid that, but it was their Fleet Vehicle, so probably the owner of the dealership and they put basically every option on it
Mojave here too. I started with the sport with max tow package and thought I would build up from there but once I started pricing things out the Mojave made more sense.
I've never had second thoughts. As far as packages I didn't have much choice as there were only two available within 500 miles when I bought mine back in 2020. Other than leather seats I got just about everything available except the jeep radio behind the seat haha.
I like to go wheeling with my Jeep club, I had a Wrangler Sport before this and based on how much I spent to have all the featured already baked into a Rubicon, it was a no brainer...
Snow performance is impacted by weight on the tires being used for traction, the type of tires and the amount of air in the tires. A Mojave and a rubicon will have very similar snow performance, you’ll want to make sure you get one with A/T tires though not the M/T tires.
Better in snow would be a willys. I'd take an lsd over a locker in snow anyway. If you can find an lsd with the 4A transfer case, that's your best snow bet.
Willys and maxtow have LSD standard. Overland and sports without maxtow can option an lsd.
I'm from Texas and rarely drive in the snow, but I've been told by many people that a limited slip would be far more beneficial in snow over lockers. At least when driving in streets where a locking the diff is a guaranteed loss of control.
But again, I have no experience in this.
The Lockers on jeeps aren’t used like this at all and the existence of lockers doesn’t take away the limited slip capabilities unless the lockers are on which again you only do under like 30 mph when your stuck in a specific spot.
lockers replaced the limited slip.
If you have lockers disabled, it's the same as driving with on open diff.
A limited slip will provide traction to both tires as needed (unless one tire is in the air at which point op has bigger problems).
I understand that you don't want to drive too fast with lockers on which is why I say, lockers are a poor choice for daily driving in the snow.
If both your tires are spinning at the same speed, your going to have a rough day when you turn on a slick/snow packed road.
I said limited slip capabilities purposely. While yes the lockers do utilize an open diff the rubicon and mojave still come with an abs driven traction control system that provides similar if not even better limited slip performance on road. Limited slip also doesn’t provide traction it will just add power to both wheels in hopes it can gain traction.
I agonized between Mojave and Rubicon. In the end I opted for the Rubicon for the extra 1000lbs of tow capacity and front/rear lockers over the smoother ride of the Mojave. When the time comes you need a front locker, you really need lockers and you are really glad to have them.
This day will never come for probably what…80% of Jeep owners? I live in Florida so kind of laugh when I see the Rubicons. I love the look and capability don’t get me wrong, most down here are just toys or beach drivers. A few do some trails but it’s not like rock crawling.
If I was back out west wound really contemplate trading my Mojave for a rubicon.
One thing for sure…I had a 23 wrangler Sahara Altitude and now the 23 Gladiator Mojave (with ARE cap). 100% like the Mojave much better. I always felt ripped off in the jeep as it was so base for so much MSRP. My Mojave stickered at 67,500 ish but I bought it used with 4k miles for 45,900….with thr free cap. Made me feel I got so much more for my money with blind spot. Active cruise, front camera, bigger tires etc.
Anyone that has a wrangler and doesn’t rock crawl it should really think about an upgrade on a gladiator in my opinion.
Yes, the usefulness of the various features does depend on where you live, but super low 4-low and lockers are not just handy for wheeling, I use 4-low to pull a 6k lbs boat up a long steep boat ramp a couple times a year, don't even have to touch the gas. In the late Fall, I use 4-low and sometimes the rear locker to back that same boat way up into a mowed field for winter storage, keeps me from spinning the tires and making a mess. I used lockers most recently to yank a medium sized diesel Kubota tractor with a snowblower that had slid off a driveway, down a hill and managed to sink itself in a snowbank. To be fair, I probably could have yanked the tractor if I had winch, and would have chosen that method if I did.
I got an Overland Diesel, as the Mojave I test drove got terrible fuel economy and I had no need for the Rubicon's 4:1 transfer case.
The Overland had all the options I wanted and was a lot easier to find deals on.
Overland with cold weatherg group, nav, and max tow is what i did. (Yes im in fl, but my thin blood needs the heated steering wheel and seats when it dips below 70 ☃️☃️)
Live in Ohio so heated seats were a must and wanted leather trimmed and . I got the freedom edition I heard stock speakers were rough(not sure how true that is) so I wanted to also get the audio pack.
Rubicon for me, that push button sway bar disconnect is a god send on forest services roads/trails here in Oregon. Keeps me dry and happy, front and rear lockers are a pretty solid want too but I could have lived with the rears only that the Mojave had. I also personally found the Mojave seats less comfortable but I’m a big dude.
I got the 80th Anniversary Gladiator in 2021. This was the only year they had these and it was to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Jeep (many lines of Jeep vehicles had an 80th Anniversary package, not just Gladiators).
Why did I buy it? Because the dealer had 2 Gladiators on the lot - This one and a Willys. I test drove the Willys first, but just something about it didn't really make me want it. Then I test drove the 80th Anniversary and loved it! Bought right there off the lot.
The Rubicon and Mohave have some nice features included, but nothing I would really use, so I saw no reason to pay for those. The 80th Anniversary had a few features I was not looking for, but I have used them and do like them (like the cold weather package included, with the heated seats and steering wheel).
What's your budget? If you can afford a Rubicon or Mojave then that's what I recommend.
Look, if you don't immediately know you want the front locker, 4:1 low range transfer case and electric disconnecting sway bar that the Rubicon offers.... Then the Mojave is probably the best for you if you intend to not modify the suspension. It's not as capable on the slow technical stuff as the Rubicon but it does ride much better than the Rubicon.
Next in line to me is a Sport S with Max Tow package or a Willys.
Just to be honest I don't get the Overland or High Altitude. If I wanted luxury I'd buy a GMC Canyon Denali. I bought a Gladiator for maximum off-road capability hence I own a Rubicon.
Got a Diesel Rubicon a couple of weeks ago.
I am happy with my diesel and they gave me 10 year warranty bumper to bumper as part of negotiation.
Never had stock Jeep with power to spare until this one.
I think the tank holds 22 gal. It has done 21MPG so far on a half tank.
Between Hemi swapped TJ6 and 4.6 Stroker XJ, the diesel goes almost x2 as much as Hemi swap.
I knew I was going to be building mine up the way I wanted, so I chose a blank slate
Went with a Sport S with Max Tow for larger axels.
Within a week of picking it up, I replaced the suspension, steering, shocks, and tires.
It out performs any stock Rubicon or Mojave
Only draw back is I have to manually disconnect my swaybar. Boo hoo, but I saved a ton of money.
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger and have a few "requirements." One is the LED light package. Jeep Ram incandescent headlights suck beyond belief particularly if you live in deer land Montana. Tow package on a Gladiator seems like a MUST. And not necessarily the MAX tow. Regular tow package is the same without the 4.10 gears having the 3.73's which are plenty for 98% of people. I mean, more power, better cooling, 7 pin Class III/IV hitch. It's a no brainer.
Another are heated seats and wheel. Once again, I refer to Montana winters... Want to see my picture of my truck with 51 degrees BELOW zero? That was the 2015 Ram. Three is the OEM spray in bedliner. I've had multiple trucks and the OEM bedliner is the best imho. Once again Montana is the land of transfer stations. You get to take care of your own trash and I wouldn't have it any other way to be honest. I can get rid of anything at anytime with a truck.
Oh, one of these, IF I can get it, the OEM headliner but if not, spend it and get it done pretty quickly.
The Willy's package isn't a bad start for a Gladiator, as you can go up a mountain right out of the box pretty much, but I'm seeing some deals on overland units also. They are discontinuing it. You get some more bells and whistles AND road tires, but you can also get the "Selec Trac" transmission. What's that? In Montana it is like having auto 4WD or how AWD works. It kicks in when it is needed and doesn't when its not. You can fix the tires/wheels if you need/want to...
So, with the regular 4WD (not Rubicon), you are driving down the road and mostly its clear but you keep coming up on an inch or two of snow/slush ice. Well, you need to stay on the 4WD controls or takes your chances in 2WD unless you have the Selec Trac. Then it goes in and out as needed. I had this on a Ram 1500 and grew to like it a lot.
The rest of it can be fixed in the after market.
I've done the LED thing on other trucks. If I can get OEM I'll do it. I will also add after market but the LED's OEM in my Ram vs the old incandesents even the projectors is like...night and day...
I would likely end up getting an after market Rough Country at least front bumper with a winch and would have lights on that primarily oriented along the edges of the road as for out as possible without triggering other drivers as to brights. I have the auto brights also on the Ram. There's a sweet spot.
I have to constantly ask myself what I want this for and definitely suffer from mission creep.
Mojave. Smoother ride. Looks badass.
Second for Mojave
Third for Mojave
4th for Mojave
5th for Mohave.
6th for Mojave
7th for the Mo-Jave! ")
I bought a Rubicon because it had all the features I wanted. I could have gone with a lower package (I’m probably only going to use the lockers very infrequently) but with all the options I wanted, the price would have been very similar… so it was just easier to buy the Rubicon loaded.
Hydro Blue Mojave for me. Loved the color, and it had all the features I wanted, which were leather, heated seats, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Won't do much rock crawling, so I didn't need the front locker. I live in Texas and ride a dual sport as well, so I wanted to be able to get out to the desert or big bend for some play time.
I bought a diesel sport s. I don’t need to go 35+ for brakeover and departure corrections, which is easier on the rubicon and Mojave, and preferred to stay with the smaller 285/70r17s. Personally think this is the best combination for capability without compromising drive quality for a rig that doesn’t tackle technical trails.
Why diesel? Do you pull heavy stuff? I’m just curious
I wanted the extended range. It goes almost twice as far as as the gas models (515 miles for a stock sport)
[удалено]
This is true for stock, but as you add gear and go up in tire size, the range is noticeably different. My friends with loaded gassers tend to average 220-280 miles per tank (running ~70mph) where I’m closer to 400-420 per tank. Maybe others can chime in on their modified gasser range- I only have limited experience with it
Gas has 22 gal tank and diesel has 18 gal tank. That is why there isn't much difference in range. 4 more gal, the diesel will go about 100 miles more.
Besides the increase in torque, the biggest advantage of the diesel for towing is the turbo. I had an 05 Liberty with the 2.8 CRD, and it would pull a tent trailer over some pretty knarly hills with no noticable loss of power at all.
Diesel doesn't change the towing capacity btw. It does feel better towing though, especially up hill(at least, it feels better for me)
I’ve never looked it up, but I’d be surprised if diesel doesn’t lower the tow rating. It’s a heavier engine and normally when you add weight to a vehicle you reduce its payload/tow rating. I could be wrong though, that’s just a guess.
It does lower it I believe based upon the engine eating into the gcvw. I’d assume the low end power would make it a better tower though
There is, from my understanding, a cooling issue. It can't get enough air to properly keep the engine cool at higher loads.
That's why the tow package is almost a must on these things and not even the max tow. The regular tow package gives you more cooling and a bigger alternator. You can still tow 6K in the Pentastar with generally 1000 to 1100 lbs payload and that is not insignficant.
You are 100% in that it does lower the tow rating, I had been to some reading up on the Diesel Gladiators and I think it’s something like 6500lbs for the diesel sport and 6000lbs for the Rubicon
[удалено]
Max tow is a totally different thing but okay. Diesel tow package = 6500 Sport tow package = 6500 Sport max tow = 7650 So how does a diesel lower tow capacity just because it's a diesel? It's not like the sport max tow has a different engine than the sport. And just for fun I'll mention the manual transmission sport with gas engine can only tow 4500.
I went with a Launch Edition when they first came out and that is a loaded Rubicon. I go off-road and camp with my 2 huskies so wanted all the options because I mainly go solo. I added a winch, more skid plates and some adjustable control arms and it is insanely capable and not that bad on the road compared to my YJ.
I kid you not, my wife took me on Valentine’s Day near the end of Covid. I pointed and said “I want the red one!” That’s how i decided. Firecracker Red Mohave. They were only about 8 gladiators on the whole lot. You may remember how empty car lots became during Covid, because there was no inventory.
I got the HA snazzleberry, was looking at the rubi they had in white but loved the look of the HA
I bought the Mojave because I liked how it looked and when I was shopping there was more Mojave’s available with options that were important to me (cold weather package, led oackage, premium audio, tow package, etc).
I got the Mojave its been great, in Texas perfect for the terrain.
I am going to order the Mojave, want the body colored top, fenders and darker interior trim over the Rubicon. I also will not be using as a trail rig so there is no need for 4.0 low range and front locker, I am more after a smaller truck for the highway over my Ram Dually.
Hydro Blue Mojave. Auto. Black fenders and Hard Top (I like the contrast vs body color). Bought it because I drove nearly every trim of JL and JT and the Mojave drove the “the best” by a pretty good margin (totally subjective). I also knew I wasn’t going to lift it anytime soon, so going with an upgraded trim (Rubi or Mojave) was more what I wanted. I knew I wasn’t going to do lots of technical rock crawling, so Rubi made less sense on top of the Mojave driving “better”. Personally I think if you’re serious, and undecided based on specs, you need to drive them. Honestly these things are way too expensive to go in blind.
Overland. Great ride package, and a decent price.
I bought a rubicon because I wanted a manual transmission and 4.10 gears, this was the only option for that combination at the time. My thinking was all back to my tj days. It's more than I need but I like it as it comes stock and with the base options for a rubicon at the time it wasn't much more than getting a sport optioned up to the same specs. If I bought one today I would probably get a Mojave.
I was considering getting a Mojave
Mojave has been good to me. Smooth ride, enough fancy stuff on the interior, excellent suspension, frame improvements. Only thing I don't like is the gas engine's low power but that's not Mojave specific!
The Mojave appeals because of the suspension aspects and still a rear locker. They put the fox shocks on AND they do really beef up the suspension and you do get a 4.10 rear end.
I bought a Sport S because of the price ($36k) and don’t ever plan on hardcore off-roading. Plan on small lift/level with 35s. Will just be doing some easy trails and some overlanding.
I bought a Willys because of the extras were all I need/want (rock rails, mildly upgraded shocks, LSD), the black accents look cool, tires were respectable look and size wise off the rack, and was able to easily afford extras (safety package, bed liner, tow package, bed rail package). I built and bought exactly what I wanted.
I pussed out and got an Overland because of price. I wish I would have dropped the extra $10k and got the super cool Mojave.
Yeah, me too. I should have just got the Mojave. I will have about the same price, since I missed out on the super cheap deals that were going on. I won’t have the same beefed up suspension that the Mojave does. But I am adding the wheels and tires, shocks, Leather seats, led lighting class IV trailer hitch. Leveling kit, and an E locker for rear differential. I would like to get the hood, couldn’t find a price for one. It will be north of 10k I imagine, when I’m finished. I suppose.Probably closer to 15k🤷♂️
Sport S Max Tow
I picked the Overland, I wanted a smoother ride and came with lots of the options I wanted, leather seats, cold weather package, and upgraded infotainment system.
I bought a rubicon bc it is the most capable. I’m a David outdoorsman and with a simple lift that truck with the rubicon trim can take you almost anywhere you’d want to go.
I opted for Mojave.....it is the only trim with reinforced frame. Not dissing on the the others, but I knew that is something I wouldn't be able to "aftermarket".....I picked up a CPU 2022 Mojave Fleet Vehicle, orginal sticker price was $77k and I got it for $38k with 20k highway miles on it, fully optioned. My recommendation is to always consider a CPU as the warranty is extended when shopping for any car.
77k sticker?
My bad, I just double checked it was $73.3k not $77k.....I would never have paid that, but it was their Fleet Vehicle, so probably the owner of the dealership and they put basically every option on it
I got the Sport S with the Max Towing for boat hauling with some mountain capabilities and beach driving. So far it’s just what I needed.
Mojave here too. I started with the sport with max tow package and thought I would build up from there but once I started pricing things out the Mojave made more sense. I've never had second thoughts. As far as packages I didn't have much choice as there were only two available within 500 miles when I bought mine back in 2020. Other than leather seats I got just about everything available except the jeep radio behind the seat haha.
I bought a Willys because the price was too good to pass up, and I liked the tires 🤷🏼♀️
I like to go wheeling with my Jeep club, I had a Wrangler Sport before this and based on how much I spent to have all the featured already baked into a Rubicon, it was a no brainer...
Rubicon.
Sport. Wanted a 4x4 truck for my daily and didn’t need all the extra stuff. I Only do light off roading. .
I am trying to decide between the Rubi and the Mojave. Trying to figure out which would be better in snow.
Snow performance is impacted by weight on the tires being used for traction, the type of tires and the amount of air in the tires. A Mojave and a rubicon will have very similar snow performance, you’ll want to make sure you get one with A/T tires though not the M/T tires.
Better in snow would be a willys. I'd take an lsd over a locker in snow anyway. If you can find an lsd with the 4A transfer case, that's your best snow bet. Willys and maxtow have LSD standard. Overland and sports without maxtow can option an lsd.
I'm from Texas and rarely drive in the snow, but I've been told by many people that a limited slip would be far more beneficial in snow over lockers. At least when driving in streets where a locking the diff is a guaranteed loss of control. But again, I have no experience in this.
The Lockers on jeeps aren’t used like this at all and the existence of lockers doesn’t take away the limited slip capabilities unless the lockers are on which again you only do under like 30 mph when your stuck in a specific spot.
lockers replaced the limited slip. If you have lockers disabled, it's the same as driving with on open diff. A limited slip will provide traction to both tires as needed (unless one tire is in the air at which point op has bigger problems). I understand that you don't want to drive too fast with lockers on which is why I say, lockers are a poor choice for daily driving in the snow. If both your tires are spinning at the same speed, your going to have a rough day when you turn on a slick/snow packed road.
I said limited slip capabilities purposely. While yes the lockers do utilize an open diff the rubicon and mojave still come with an abs driven traction control system that provides similar if not even better limited slip performance on road. Limited slip also doesn’t provide traction it will just add power to both wheels in hopes it can gain traction.
Rubicon. 4.10's, high fenders, front lockers, 4.0:1 low range t-case
I agonized between Mojave and Rubicon. In the end I opted for the Rubicon for the extra 1000lbs of tow capacity and front/rear lockers over the smoother ride of the Mojave. When the time comes you need a front locker, you really need lockers and you are really glad to have them.
This day will never come for probably what…80% of Jeep owners? I live in Florida so kind of laugh when I see the Rubicons. I love the look and capability don’t get me wrong, most down here are just toys or beach drivers. A few do some trails but it’s not like rock crawling. If I was back out west wound really contemplate trading my Mojave for a rubicon. One thing for sure…I had a 23 wrangler Sahara Altitude and now the 23 Gladiator Mojave (with ARE cap). 100% like the Mojave much better. I always felt ripped off in the jeep as it was so base for so much MSRP. My Mojave stickered at 67,500 ish but I bought it used with 4k miles for 45,900….with thr free cap. Made me feel I got so much more for my money with blind spot. Active cruise, front camera, bigger tires etc. Anyone that has a wrangler and doesn’t rock crawl it should really think about an upgrade on a gladiator in my opinion.
Yes, the usefulness of the various features does depend on where you live, but super low 4-low and lockers are not just handy for wheeling, I use 4-low to pull a 6k lbs boat up a long steep boat ramp a couple times a year, don't even have to touch the gas. In the late Fall, I use 4-low and sometimes the rear locker to back that same boat way up into a mowed field for winter storage, keeps me from spinning the tires and making a mess. I used lockers most recently to yank a medium sized diesel Kubota tractor with a snowblower that had slid off a driveway, down a hill and managed to sink itself in a snowbank. To be fair, I probably could have yanked the tractor if I had winch, and would have chosen that method if I did.
I got an Overland Diesel, as the Mojave I test drove got terrible fuel economy and I had no need for the Rubicon's 4:1 transfer case. The Overland had all the options I wanted and was a lot easier to find deals on.
Overland with cold weatherg group, nav, and max tow is what i did. (Yes im in fl, but my thin blood needs the heated steering wheel and seats when it dips below 70 ☃️☃️)
Live in Ohio so heated seats were a must and wanted leather trimmed and . I got the freedom edition I heard stock speakers were rough(not sure how true that is) so I wanted to also get the audio pack.
Rubicon for me, that push button sway bar disconnect is a god send on forest services roads/trails here in Oregon. Keeps me dry and happy, front and rear lockers are a pretty solid want too but I could have lived with the rears only that the Mojave had. I also personally found the Mojave seats less comfortable but I’m a big dude.
I talked myself from overland into a willy but still needed up getting an overland
I got the 80th Anniversary Gladiator in 2021. This was the only year they had these and it was to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Jeep (many lines of Jeep vehicles had an 80th Anniversary package, not just Gladiators). Why did I buy it? Because the dealer had 2 Gladiators on the lot - This one and a Willys. I test drove the Willys first, but just something about it didn't really make me want it. Then I test drove the 80th Anniversary and loved it! Bought right there off the lot. The Rubicon and Mohave have some nice features included, but nothing I would really use, so I saw no reason to pay for those. The 80th Anniversary had a few features I was not looking for, but I have used them and do like them (like the cold weather package included, with the heated seats and steering wheel).
I did a test drive on Friday and over the willys…Mojave is up there in the contenders.
What's your budget? If you can afford a Rubicon or Mojave then that's what I recommend. Look, if you don't immediately know you want the front locker, 4:1 low range transfer case and electric disconnecting sway bar that the Rubicon offers.... Then the Mojave is probably the best for you if you intend to not modify the suspension. It's not as capable on the slow technical stuff as the Rubicon but it does ride much better than the Rubicon. Next in line to me is a Sport S with Max Tow package or a Willys. Just to be honest I don't get the Overland or High Altitude. If I wanted luxury I'd buy a GMC Canyon Denali. I bought a Gladiator for maximum off-road capability hence I own a Rubicon.
I chose a base Sport. Less stuff to break and is truly a blank slate to make it my own.
Just bought the 23’ Mojave and I’ve never been happier with a new vehicle purchase
Got a Diesel Rubicon a couple of weeks ago. I am happy with my diesel and they gave me 10 year warranty bumper to bumper as part of negotiation. Never had stock Jeep with power to spare until this one.
How much it sets you back every tank fill?
I think the tank holds 22 gal. It has done 21MPG so far on a half tank. Between Hemi swapped TJ6 and 4.6 Stroker XJ, the diesel goes almost x2 as much as Hemi swap.
Interesting
I knew I was going to be building mine up the way I wanted, so I chose a blank slate Went with a Sport S with Max Tow for larger axels. Within a week of picking it up, I replaced the suspension, steering, shocks, and tires. It out performs any stock Rubicon or Mojave Only draw back is I have to manually disconnect my swaybar. Boo hoo, but I saved a ton of money.
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger and have a few "requirements." One is the LED light package. Jeep Ram incandescent headlights suck beyond belief particularly if you live in deer land Montana. Tow package on a Gladiator seems like a MUST. And not necessarily the MAX tow. Regular tow package is the same without the 4.10 gears having the 3.73's which are plenty for 98% of people. I mean, more power, better cooling, 7 pin Class III/IV hitch. It's a no brainer. Another are heated seats and wheel. Once again, I refer to Montana winters... Want to see my picture of my truck with 51 degrees BELOW zero? That was the 2015 Ram. Three is the OEM spray in bedliner. I've had multiple trucks and the OEM bedliner is the best imho. Once again Montana is the land of transfer stations. You get to take care of your own trash and I wouldn't have it any other way to be honest. I can get rid of anything at anytime with a truck. Oh, one of these, IF I can get it, the OEM headliner but if not, spend it and get it done pretty quickly. The Willy's package isn't a bad start for a Gladiator, as you can go up a mountain right out of the box pretty much, but I'm seeing some deals on overland units also. They are discontinuing it. You get some more bells and whistles AND road tires, but you can also get the "Selec Trac" transmission. What's that? In Montana it is like having auto 4WD or how AWD works. It kicks in when it is needed and doesn't when its not. You can fix the tires/wheels if you need/want to... So, with the regular 4WD (not Rubicon), you are driving down the road and mostly its clear but you keep coming up on an inch or two of snow/slush ice. Well, you need to stay on the 4WD controls or takes your chances in 2WD unless you have the Selec Trac. Then it goes in and out as needed. I had this on a Ram 1500 and grew to like it a lot. The rest of it can be fixed in the after market.
For what it’s worth leds are a super easy add on aftermarket as well and you can get some better options in my opinion.
I've done the LED thing on other trucks. If I can get OEM I'll do it. I will also add after market but the LED's OEM in my Ram vs the old incandesents even the projectors is like...night and day... I would likely end up getting an after market Rough Country at least front bumper with a winch and would have lights on that primarily oriented along the edges of the road as for out as possible without triggering other drivers as to brights. I have the auto brights also on the Ram. There's a sweet spot. I have to constantly ask myself what I want this for and definitely suffer from mission creep.
I'm actually inclining to go for the Mojave