Talk me out of (or into) a Gladiator Mojave

[JaxGtc]

Just switch to a soft top and your problem is solved. You will be in it by New Years Day.

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[jehines3]

My buddy just got a Gladiator Rubicon Launch Edition that someone traded in with on 10k on it. He loves it. I looked over every inch and I've got to say it is impressive. He tent camps and does outdoorsy type stuff with his family. We live on the East Coast and we don't rock crawl here, so the rear overhang is not a big deal. People really wanting to have a purpose-built rock rig from a $60k bronco have too much disposable income. I'd have so much more fun on a trail in a $20k Razr since I would go full send and give zero f's about the silly abs bodywork.

 

[Lakelife36]

Great insight. Similar stance. The styling of the Gladiator doesn't bug me, and I'm not hardcore offroading so the drawbacks there don't bug me. Why I'd rather have the Mojave with just rear locker. You mentioned everything changed bc you drove the WT. If I'm sticking with the 2.3 MT for the Badlands, and 33" tires are as big as I want to go, do you still think it's as big of a difference between them?

And where did you find 6% under invoice? Best I've found on Gladiator is $1K under. I'm not too far from you in Chapel Hill.

I'd also only get the MT in either, and am looking at a BB or maybe BD to compare to a Mojave. @broadicustomworks based on your experience it sounds like it was somewhat of a toss-up for you, with the winner depending on your use case?

 

[mdahan]

Don't!! The thing is like driving a cigar box. Cool looking though.

 

[broadicustomworks]

I'd also only get the MT in either, and am looking at a BB or maybe BD to compare to a Mojave. @broadicustomworks based on your experience it sounds like it was somewhat of a toss-up for you, with the winner depending on your use case?

Exactly.
The Gladiator wasn't bad. It's just the Bronco was more comfortable, a bit larger feeling inside, and a noticeable amount of more power.
It drove great, no hint of any wobble or wandering, fit and finish were great, comparatively quiet for a roof-off capable vehicle. Top was substantial and good fit and finish.

Rear doors are bit small and I find it odd that the lower rear portion is unnecessarily chopped off.
But it makes sense to have one part number/one set of production tooling and parts for rear doors that work for the Wrangler and the Gladi.

The open-air experience without the crossbar (and soundbar) is better in the Bronco, as it is completely open.
But you do lose some audio power and fidelity by not having speakers right behind your head.

Like I said...if the Bronco didn't exist, or do some things better like it does, I'd be in a Mojave Gladi and be perfectly happy.

I do Uwharrie (off-road trails with some relatively challenging rock climbing) some and had some concerns of the rear overhang, but not enough to sway me away.
Most of what I do is kayaking, camping, beach driving, fishing. All stuff that a Gladiator would assist in a bit better, but I can make the Bronco work for those for the trade-offs in the things I appreciate it does better.
Now if it only came in a truck version...

 

[Rcarpen22]

Probably a very unpopular opinion, but I love our Jeep (2020 JLUW). We don't have a Gladiator, but the Mojave is incredibly cool and a 6-speed Mojave sounds pretty rad to me. The manual Jeeps are also quicker and get better mileage than the 7-speed Bronco. The abysmal departure/breakover angles of the Gladiator platform are certainly a concern if you're doing any crawling, but the bed would be super convenient if you're not (and if you're going Mojave instead of Rubi, you're probably not looking to rock crawl). If you like the Bronco more and the Mojave is a consolation prize, then wait. If you genuinely like the Mojave (as much as a Bronco), then go for it. Personally, I think the current Jeeps are freaking fantastic and there are things I like about them more than the Bronco. The Bronco is also fantastic and there are things I like more about it. Would be hard for me to pick an overall winner. The Bronco is definitely better on the highway and is more comfortable. To me, the Jeep feels more solid off-road and is easier to place where you want it on obstacles. Also, given that my Bronco has been in the shop for two months and now needs a new engine, I may currently have a little bias.

 

[Antimatter06]

I've been looking for but haven't been able to find a straight up comparison: Bronco 2.3 MT vs Jeep 3.6 MT. Input from anyone who has driven both would be greatly appreciated. I'll continue with my search to drive the Bronco MT.

 

[bytheway]

If I changed my mind and got something else to replace the Bronco because I couldn't wait, I'd kick myself every time I saw one, and would regret it forever. So I'll wait patiently.

A gladiator rubicon parked next to me at Costco yesterday. He said he had a Bronco reservation from Oct 2020 but his dealer told him it would be another year. He looked really sad after getting out of his 2 day old JT and we talked.

 

[GAbronco]

Didn’t think i would ever own one, but i am pleasantly surprised with my new toy. I love it!

 

[Lakelife36]

I've been looking for but haven't been able to find a straight up comparison: Bronco 2.3 MT vs Jeep 3.6 MT. Input from anyone who has driven both would be greatly appreciated. I'll continue with my search to drive the Bronco MT.

And a reasonable comparison, not a 2-door base against a fully loaded Rubicon, or a 4-door BL against a Sport.
Since we're talking Mojaves maybe a comparison against a 4-door BD? That'll be similar kind of capability for a 7M (ie. no WT).

 

[Quinn_the_eskimo]

I have one. I can't wait to get rid of it. Front seat is cramped, back seat is even more cramped. Uconnect is awful and there are no good aftermarket solutions to the head unit.

You'll hate it.

 

[LowerSlowerDelaware]

If you buy that Jeep, don't forget to get your T-Shirt.

 

[Bronco4lyfe85]

I have one. I can't wait to get rid of it. Front seat is cramped, back seat is even more cramped. Uconnect is awful and there are no good aftermarket solutions to the head unit.

You'll hate it.

There are multiple, that’s a flat out lie.

 

[Bronco4lyfe85]

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/consumer-reports-recommends-jeep-model/

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