Building a Rubicon to ride like a Mojave

djwatts

djwatts

New member
I have never driven a Mojave so I am not sure how much different it is than a Rubicon except for what everyone claims. I purchased a new 2022 Rubicon in April of 2024 for a great price being new and still on the lot. I think because it was optioned weirdly, it hadn't sold. Leather interior, soft-top, non LED, spray-in bed liner, MSRP $58+. I really wanted a Mojave but couldn't pass up the deal at $43k.

So, my goal is to make it as close to Mojave as possible and still have the benefits of a Rubicon. I recently added front and rear Sumo Springs, front and rear Mojave shocks, and a 1" Teraflex spacer in the front. I added the spacer since the Mojave sits 1" higher than the Rubicon using a spring spacer. I wanted to go with another 1/2" spacer to reduce the rake even more but that would have made the shocks too short.

As far as the difference in how it rides, I think it's not that different than before. In town driving is definitely not any different. Highway driving seems somewhat smoother at 75+ mph. Again, I've never driven a Mojave, so I only have what I remember from the Rubicon.

There seems to be some arguments about the Mojave springs vs the Rubicon springs. Some say they are exactly the same and some say they have a different rate. They looks to be exactl ythe same length. Does anyone think that changing to the Mojave springs would make a difference in how it rides or again would it be minimal for the cost?
 
First off, ride comfort and quality is 100% subjective and most of the people who swear by their Mojave do so because that's what they chose to buy - PERIOD. That said and having personally driven both a Rubicon and Mojave in stock form, I personally can say that for on pavement driving, they feel about the same to me. Driving hard and fast across the desert, the Mojave shocks do in fact do a better job of soaking up the rough stuff and for longer. As in, there is little fading and again, just in my opinion. Being that you just replaced both front and rear shocks with Mojave ones, you've essentially got a Mojave now and changing out the springs won't make much if ANY difference.
 
wayoflife said:
First off, ride comfort and quality is 100% subjective and most of the people who swear by their Mojave do so because that's what they chose to buy - PERIOD. That said and having personally driven both a Rubicon and Mojave in stock form, I personally can say that for on pavement driving, they feel about the same to me. Driving hard and fast across the desert, the Mojave shocks do in fact do a better job of soaking up the rough stuff and for longer. As in, there is little fading and again, just in my opinion. Being that you just replaced both front and rear shocks with Mojave ones, you've essentially got a Mojave now and changing out the springs won't make much if ANY difference.
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Appreciate the feedback. Kinda what I thought on the springs.
 
HighwayTrout said:
They ride different once they slap the Mojave stickers on them.

Honestly. I think you’re chasing a ghost. If the stock ride is not something you’re enjoying. Completely upgrading would be the best bet. (Not with Mojave takeoff parts)
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My goal is to get the best highway ride as possible. I will be making several trips from Indiana to Arizona. While in Arizona we will do lots of desert trails. Not really interested in rock crawling.
 
djwatts said:
Appreciate the feedback. Kinda what I thought on the springs.
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Like I said, it's just my opinion and based on my limited experience. As HighwayTrout said, a complete upgrade is what you might want to be looking at if you're unsatisfied with your ride now.
 
wayoflife said:
Like I said, it's just my opinion and based on my limited experience. As HighwayTrout said, a complete upgrade is what you might want to be looking at if you're unsatisfied with your ride now.
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Not dissatisfied with how it currently rides just always looking for ways to make it better. What would a total upgrade involve?
 
djwatts said:
Not dissatisfied with how it currently rides just always looking for ways to make it better. What would a total upgrade involve?
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I suppose it depends on what you're wanting your ride to feel like. Already, I personally feel like a Gladiator in stock form rides nicer than a Wrangler but do you prefer a firmer ride? Softer ride? Do you plan on keeping your tires stock or close to it? I could go on and on.
 
djwatts said:
My goal is to get the best highway ride as possible. I will be making several trips from Indiana to Arizona. While in Arizona we will do lots of desert trails. Not really interested in rock crawling.
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In order to obtain the best highway ride as possible, avoid Apache county (poorest county in Arizona with the most deaths/mile in the nation), which has a lot of pot holes. If traveling through New Mexico, avoid Lincoln county (poorest county in New Mexico), where washboarded asphalt is a thing. Of course you would be missing many interesting things in those counties.

The cheapest highway suspension upgrade is to only drive on smooth boring roads.
 
djwatts said:
My goal is to get the best highway ride as possible. I will be making several trips from Indiana to Arizona. While in Arizona we will do lots of desert trails. Not really interested in rock crawling.
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If I'm being completely honest, if an improved, consistent ride quality over stock (which is already great - as mentioned ride quality is subjective though) on and off road for long drives is what you're chasing, why did you buy a solid axle Jeep?
 
Agreed with the info here, having driven both I though the Mojave was only really different at speed off road and maybe a bit “stiffer” on the steering on road, but I’m not fully convinced it was, plus there are a lot of factors that go into that. Either way the difference is very marginal, and if you want a large improvement head into the quality aftermarket and even then you may find a change you don’t love depending on where and how your driving at that moment.
 
wayoflife said:
I suppose it depends on what you're wanting your ride to feel like. Already, I personally feel like a Gladiator in stock form rides nicer than a Wrangler but do you prefer a firmer ride? Softer ride? Do you plan on keeping your tires stock or close to it? I could go on and on.
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I would say a softer ride with less road vibration transfer to the driver/passengers. I will probably go with 35s on the stock rims once these tires wear out.
 
djwatts said:
I would say a softer ride with less road vibration transfer to the driver/passengers. I will probably go with 35s on the stock rims once these tires wear out.
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Safe to assume you're running 35 psi or higher in your current tires? If so, try lowering that down to a more reasonable 28-30 psi.
 
DirtHeadDavis said:
If I'm being completely honest, if an improved, consistent ride quality over stock (which is already great - as mentioned ride quality is subjective though) on and off road for long drives is what you're chasing, why did you buy a solid axle Jeep?
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Don't get me wrong. I love my Jeep and i understand I'm not going to get it to ride like my wife's Lincoln. Just wandering how nice I can get it ride.
 
JT@623 said:
Born and raised in AZ the only thing Florence had was a state penitentiary.
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Not true!!

Ya got the Sonic Drive in, ya got Bar 727, and you got the world famous Country Thunder Music Festival! It’s a redneck good time. Ask me how I know!! 🤣😂

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What could possibly go wrong here?

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Also it’s the entry point to some awesome Jeep trails and the Cochran Coke Ovens.
 
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