Cj6 Vs 5

Ok so I know the basic stats of 20" but it doesn't give extra room up front just in the back, etc., etc. But my question is how is the handling and driving different. Being a longer wheel base, is it more stable? Less chance of rear coming around on you in hard braking? Longer so more issue on trails? For those who had both, what's your feeling? Trying to decide if I should also look for a 6 for more leg room for rear passengers.

 

If I had a CJ6 I'd be looking at a modern 5 speed trans with an overdrive.
The extra wheelbase would open up a lot more options for drivetrain swaps.

 

Appreciate all input. But I'm really more of a purist and not looking to do swaps, etc. We enjoy the feel and omvionce of the older ones. No they are not as smooth or powerful or whatever, but give sense of peace. I know it's strange but it does. And only being able to go 45, is kind of relaxing and actually allows me to see and experience more.

 

Consider a different rear seat or move the original one to a better position. Mine is very comfortable for adults. here is my setup its a TJ seat

 

IME handling and driving is not that different. The longer wheelbase means somewhat less fore-aft pitching on rough roads. It also means a somewhat larger turning radius. The larger turning radius is noticeable. A CJ-6 is heavier than a CJ-5, so acceleration and top speed are a little worse. Options are mostly the same as the CJ-5; they optionally come with a back seat. In my experience, it's installed at the same location wrt the rear floor as the CJ5; the rear seat sits back 20" from the front seat, with no additional room behind the seat. You can move the seat so you have 20" behind the seat, or an extra 10" in front and 10" behind, but you'll have to modify the floors and mounting brackets to the new mount location.

Re handling, I kinda think the polar moment of a CJ-5 is more balanced than the CJ-6, making the CJ-5 feel more maneuverable than the CJ-6. Polar moment of inertia I also suspect that the comparatively unloaded back end of a CJ-6 sticking way out, makes the handling feel different from the CJ-5. I would reason that the CJ-5 has better weight balance, front to rear. Rear wheel lockup on hard braking should be worse with the CJ-6, considering how light the rear axle is.

Which would I rather drive? For handling on and off the road, the CJ-5. For practicality and appeal, the CJ-6.

BTW the handling difference between having a steel top and a fabric top is way larger than the difference between similar -5 and -6, also IME.

 

This is exactly how I feel

 

Nope, Glenn all gonna be in the same place, but that's a good idea to think after get wagon going. We have decided over the last 2 months to retire to the mountains within couple years. Sell the Texas place and either settle in Ruidoso where we have the existing cabin (but it would have to be expanded) or Durango. We are 75% to Durango but headed there in week or so to do more property looking. Have played there a number of times over the years but never with the thought of living there. That's how we got started kicking around a CJ6.

 

Straying off topic here, but Durango is AWESOME!
But, real estate isn't cheap....