2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave Introduces the Era of ‘Desert Rated’

Jeep Gladiator Mojave is the first engineered to go very fast in the sand.

The 2020 Chicago Auto Show is a big one for the Jeep, with a handful of new trim levels being debuted in the Windy City. The most interesting of the Jeeps being introduced in Chicago this week is the Gladiator Mojave, as this isn’t just another rugged package for the toughest mid-sized truck in America. In fact, the Gladiator Mojave is the first ever Jeep to be “Desert Rated,” ushering in a new era of Jeep performance.

Becoming Desert Rated

Before getting into the details of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave, let’s take a look at the new Desert Rated moniker. As you likely know, Jeeps have been Trail Rated for many moons and receiving that badge is more than just marketing. To be Trail Rated, each vehicle must meet certain criteria in off-road conditions and the same is true of Desert Rated. The difference, of course, is that Desert Rated vehicles are engineered to beat just about anything across an expanse of deep sand.

To receive this new rating, the Gladiator Mojave had to prove its capabilities in a series of grueling desert-based categories, including both the footing and the elements. Those categories are Ride Control and Stability, Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability and Desert Prowess. In many cases, a Trail Rated Jeep would handle the desert terrain, but the Jeep engineers made the changes necessary to handle sandy terrain in every case.

Gladiator Mojave Underpinnings

To create the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave with the Desert Rated badging, the engineers started with the chassis. The Command-Trac 4×4 system was the starting point, including a two-speed transfer case with 2.72:1 low range, stronger front and rear Dana 44 axles with 4.10 gears and an electronic locking rear differential that helps dig through the deepest sand.

Aiding in that cause is a new suspension setup featuring specially-tuned Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs , industry-first Fox front hydraulic jounce bumpers and a one-inch front suspension lift. The Jeep team has also strengthened the frame and added cast-iron steering knuckles, so not only is the Desert Rated Gladiator Mojave more capable, but it is more durable as well.

The Gladiator Mojave is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which provides 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can opt for the six-speed manual transmission with a crawl ratio of 57.3:1 or the 8-speed automatic, which offers a crawl ratio of 52.6:1.

Even the high tech drive mode system has been modified for the Gladiator Mojave. The Off-Road Plus drive mode of this Jeep allows drivers to lock the rear axle while driving at high speeds in four-wheel-drive-high while the locking rear axle only functions at low speed in four-wheel-drive for Trail Rated models.

A set of 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Falken Wildpeak All-terrain tires completes the Gladiator Mojave package, leading to some impressive key figures. This Desert Rated Jeep is the most capable truck in the mid-size class, offering a best-in-class approach angle of 44.7 degrees and a best-in-class ground clearance of 11.6 inches, with a breakover angle of 20.9 degrees and a departure angle of 25.5 degrees.

A Unique Look

Once the Jeep team had the Gladiator Mojave performing up to standards, they turned to the appearance. After all, every Jeep model that is Trail Rated looks the part in addition to offering stunning performance.

To allow the Gladiator Mojave to stand out in a crowd, the package-specific wheels are joined by a new hood with a front-facing scoop, orange tow hooks, Jeep Performance Parts step sand slider side rails, Mojave decals on the hood and, of course, the orange-trimmed Desert Rated badges. When you match all of that with the elevated stance, the Mojave package easily differentiates itself from the Trail Rated pickups.

Finally, the designers wanted to address some issues with the interior that owners may encounter when playing in the dunes. Many Jeepers play off-road with the top off and when the sun beats down on the dark seats, the interior gets very hot. To help combat that, the team created the new Steel Gray interior layout, which helps to reflect the sun’s energy rather than absorbing it. Those seats are trimmed in orange, as is much of the cabin. The team also made sure that the air condition worked in the hottest conditions, blowing cold air in temperatures up to 140 degrees.

Of course, the interior also includes all of the key features that you will find on non-Desert Rated models, such as the 8.4-inch UConnect system, multi-zone climate control and power windows, seats and door locks.

We don’t know the pricing for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave just yet, but we would guess that it will be priced in the same basic range as the Trail Rated Gladiator Rubicon. The Mojave models is scheduled to hit dealerships sometime during the second quarter of 2020, so it shouldn’t be long before Desert Rated Jeeps are on the streets and on the dunes.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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