Chevrolet has the Colorado Bison, Toyota has the Tacoma TRD Pro, and now Ford has the Ranger Raptor (at least in other markets). Now, Jeep has the Gladiator Mojave.
Built for desert running, the Mojave offers up the exact kind of kit you’d expect.
That includes FOX hydraulic jounce bumpers, FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs, and standard 33-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. The frame is reinforced and the Mojave gets a one-inch lift over other Gladiators, and a silver skid plate is part of the package. Axles are strengthened and there are cast-iron steering knuckles. The seats get more aggressive upper bolstering. These features are all standard.
The two-speed transfer case has a 2.72:1 low-gear ratio, and both front and rear axles are heavy-duty Dana 44 units. There’s a standard electronic-locking rear diff and a 4.10:1 rear-axle ratio. Jeep says the Mojave’s transfer case allows for higher operating speeds in 4-LO to make climbing sand dunes easier.
The approach angle is 44.7 degrees, with a breakover of 20.9 degrees and departure angle of 25.5 degrees. Ground clearance is listed at 11.6 inches. The track is a half-inch wider, and the Mojave can handle 1,200 pounds of payload and tow up to 6,000 pounds. An “Off Road Plus” button that adjusts the throttle, transmission shift points, and traction control is meant to further improve the desert driving experience.
Under hood is the expected 285-horse, 260 lb-ft of torque 3.6-liter V6. You can still choose a six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed automatic.
Jeep has labeled some of its vehicles “trail rated” for ages now, and the Mojave becomes the first to earn the brand’s new “desert rated” designation. I have no inside info, but common sense suggests this isn’t the only time we’ll see a Jeep with that designation. Orange accents help set the Mojave apart, as well.
Jeep is also unveiling High Altitude appearance packages for the Wrangler and Gladiator at Chicago. These packages allow buyers to match the roof to the body color and pair the combo with 20-inch wheels and a leather interior.
[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
nice vehicles
C&D is reporting HUGE discounts on the Gladiator, which started w/ HUGE premiums over list
Jeep Gladiators Are Really Cheap Right Now
Jeep’s mid-size pickup, a C/D 10Best winner, was seeing big markups at first, but at the moment buyers can take advantage of discounts up to $9000.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30728240/2020-jeep-gladiator-discount/
what happened?
is this at last the sign of a tipping point? will the GLUT of SUV and truck models at last cause prices to correct?
Nah. FCA just made way too many of them during the 4th quarter of 2019. So the dealers are dealin’. They will slow production again in 2020.
I think the Gladiator is suffering from a backlash that resulted from many dealers liberally padding the MSRP.
It was OK to market a Limited Edition Gladiator when it was first introduced for $69K (out the door) but the demand was sooooo high for those that dealers thought they had a license to outrageously pad the MSRP of ALL trim levels of the Gladiator. Not so!
They didn’t make too many of them during the 4th quarter of 2019. The padding of the dealers priced the Gladiator out of the market against better riding/handling trucklets like the Ridgeline, Tacoma and Ranger.
The Gladiator is great off-road, none better, but on-road it is a kidney buster that amplifies every pothole into a backbone-rattling, teeth chattering experience.
Try it sometime, especially on roads with lots of potholes.
Have you seen my handle? :D Of course I have driven the Gladiator, and I have owned several Jeeps. I do agree with your assessment – I didnt find it to be a kidney buster, but like all dual solid axle vehicles, road imperfections get transmitted to the driver in short order. To me, it rode like a JKU/JLU Wrangler, with a slightly longer wheelbase (Which helps).
The Ford Ranger with the off-road package road far more rough by comparison though, even though it did not have a dual solid axle setup.
SSJeep, my best friend was seriously thinking of buying a Gladiator after he retired&parted out his 1993 S10, until he took his wife (and me and my wife along with the sales lady) for a spin in a Sport S in Las Cruces, NM.
Maybe Las Cruces just has an inordinate amount of unfixed potholes in its streets. But how about I-10 Westbound and Eastbound? No potholes there, just undulations and ruts.
Yeah, I saw your handle and thought you of all people were worthy of a comment and reply.
BTW, I have always enjoyed reading your comments. Knowledgeable. Informative.
Yes, backlash here. My already scummy dealer was padding MSRP. This Jeep guy went and bought a Tacoma.
“standard 333-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires.”
Holy CRAP!
[Looking up… what are chances two people with thorn in their name!?]
BAH! Typo! I will fix, thank you
I wonder how well these will work on a muddy midwestern cornfield? I like it :)
I do too, and Id bet it is just as good in the mud. Sand is more challenging than mud overall.
I think this was an expedited special edition intended for a couple years later. The truck segment is a brutal one for competition as they’re quickly finding out. No more huge gross profits just because its a wrangler pick up. Most people probably go there to buy this, then realize the 4-door is much more practical and they end up with it instead. Pretty soon people WILL be buying this, even though they don’t need a truck because its so much cheaper than the 4-dr with all the discounts. (My prediction)
Uh, the Gladiator is a 4-door?
I would have thunk 4.10 gearsets would be standard anyways, that’s not a very big engine so it needs all the gearing that can be thrown at it for its weight.
The transfer case is not very steep but probably perfect for sand as it mentions, kind of a hindrance when bigger tires and different terrain conditions are thrown in.
Very nice truck, sales don’t seem too bad considering it’s base price is about $10k more than everyone else’s.
Looks like its a rubiocon, with different shocks, transfer case gearing and tires.
I’m a Jeep guy, and I have a wrangler and love it. But having seen the gladiator in real life all I can say is meh. I don’t hate it but I can’t see ever wanting one.
The Gladiator is very popular with the ladies, of ALL ages. They think it looks ‘cute’.
I can confirm this is false. I’ve been looking at Gladiator and Wranglers and my wife said the Gladiator looks like an SUV with a birth defect.