The Jeep brand is breaking new ground with the Jeep Gladiator Mojave, the first Jeep vehicle to carry the brand’s newly minted Desert Rated badge. Jeep Desert Rated vehicles represent the ultimate in high-speed off-road capability and performance while traversing grueling desert and sand environments.
4×4 capabilities has always been the foremost pillar of the Jeep brand and the new Gladiator Mojave is a natural extension of the brand’s legendary Trail Rated 4×4 capability leadership. Jeep Gladiator is already among the most capable midsize pickups and, with the addition of the new Mojave model – a new level of capability has been added with the ability to master high-speed desert and sand terrains.
Gladiator Mojave models will arrive in Jeep showrooms in the second quarter of 2020. Gladiator Mojave’s ability to tackle rugged and punishing desert terrain is a natural evolution of the Jeep brand’s nearly 80-year history of 4×4 capability leadership. Jeep Gladiator Mojave models represent the ultimate in high-speed off-road capability and performance in sand environments, courtesy of the brand’s renowned 4×4 system with significant suspension upgrades and extensive testing over harsh sand and desert terrain for vehicle durability and protection.
Gladiator Mojave models feature new, specially-tuned FOX™ 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs, industry-exclusive FOX front hydraulic jounce bumpers, a reinforced frame, a one-inch front suspension lift with a silver front skid plate, stronger axles with cast-iron steering knuckles, aggressive front seats with integrated upper bolsters and standard 33-inch Falken Wildpeak All-terrain tires. All of these standard features enable the Gladiator Mojave to become the Jeep brand’s first Desert Rated vehicle.
The starting point for the Mojave edition’s new level of capability is Gladiator’s proven Command-Trac 4×4 system, which features a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and heavy-duty third-generation Dana 44 front and rear axles with a 4.10:1 axle ratio and standard electronic-locking rear differential. The Jeep Command-Trac 4×4 system is used to provide higher 4LO (low range) operating speeds for climbing sand dunes and other challenging desert events.
A best-in-class approach angle of 44.7 degrees, breakover angle of 20.9 degrees, departure angle of 25.5 degrees and a best-in-class ground clearance of 11.6 inches further enhances Gladiator Mojave’s off-road credentials. Other Gladiator Mojave capability highlights include Jeep Performance Parts step sand slider side rails, a silver front skid plate for protection over rugged sand terrain, best-in-class articulation and up to 1,200 pounds of payload and up to 6,000 pounds of towing capacity.
To earn the first-ever Desert Rated badge, Jeep engineers equipped Gladiator Mojave with specially-tuned high-performance FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks to maximize handling, comfort and bottom-out resistance on high-speed sand runs. The FOX shocks contain internal passages that allow fluid to bypass the piston through regulated ports as it moves through the suspension travel. The result is a predictable ride over normal off-road driving conditions, with the ability to ramp up damping force in extreme use.
The Jeep Gladiator Mojave’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and features engine stop-start (ESS) as standard equipment. It is engineered to provide a broad torque band with a focus on low-end torque, an essential trait needed for extreme off-roading. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission is optional.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator benefits from the popular V-6 engine’s low-range torque, which is needed when out on the trails or during demanding conditions, such as hauling cargo or towing a trailer. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, Gladiator Mojave boasts an impressive crawl ratio of 57.3:1 and 52.6:1 on Mojave models equipped with the optional eight-speed automatic transmission – both of which make cresting a dune or scaling any obstacle on the trail easy.
Inside the cabin, Gladiator Mojave features more aggressive front seats with integrated upper bolsters to hold occupants comfortably in place. The upgraded seats are available in leather or cloth with orange accent stitching and embroidered Mojave logos. Mojave features two interior colors options Black and Steel Gray, as well as a competition-inspired leather-wrapped steering wheel with accent stitching that features an aggressive rim section for extra grip and ergonomic comfort.
Featuring a one-inch front suspension lift that results in a more prominent appearance, Gladiator Mojave is adorned with a unique hood decal on its heavy-duty performance hood with center scoop, unique exterior badges, orange tow hooks, unique 17 x 7.5-inch wheels, with Jeep Performance Parts step sand slider side rails between those wheels.
