You say the CJ-5 is too short? You say the CJ-8 is too pricey? You say the TJ Unlimited is too new? We've got a rig for you: the CJ-6.
Produced from 1959 to 1975, the CJ-6 began its run with a 101-inch wheelbase, which was stretched to 104 inches near the end of its era. At the time, the extra wheelbase and cargo space were touted for their utility value: a way to get more work done. Fast forward to the present, and that stretched wheelbase still provides a way to get more work done...on the trail.
Brian Eck's '64 CJ-6 was a standout at the '08 Hi-Desert Roundup, not only for its purple hue, but for the hardcore hardware and owner-built innovations that reach every corner of the rig. The wheelbase alone wasn't Brian's primary reason for building a '6. Brian, of Torrance, California, is a big boy at 6 feet 8 inches and needed the legroom.
Between the rock sliders, tube front fenders, and trimmed-off rear tub corners it's tough to damage the body. The wheelbase was stretched 12 inches, so climbing waterfalls is no problem.
As with most of the well-built vintage rigs we've seen, there aren't too many original hard parts left beyond the frame and body. The original four-cylinder Hurricane engine is long gone, replaced by a well-built 383 small-block Chevy. The same goes for the tranny and transfer case: they're now an SM420 and an Atlas II. A Dana 60 front axle leads the way, followed by a GM 14-bolt full-floater at the rear.
The suspension's configuration is something the Jeep engineers of 1959 never dreamed of. The front end is suspended in the conventional manner, but uses Rancho Lightening Rods bypass shocks in place of the stubby, small-diameter stockers. The rear shocks are more conventional, but instead of semi-elliptical spring packs, there's an owner-built four-link combined with a pair of quarter-elliptical spring packs.
With a custom color, extra legroom, a powerful engine, nuke-proof axles, and flexy suspension, is this the perfect six? Of course not! Brian admits he'd prefer an automatic tranny in place of the stick, and coilovers up front in place of the leaf springs. Oh well. Given a few more years and Brian's ability to work with metal, we'd say it's only a matter of time before we'll see this thing on the trail with those two exact upgrades. For now, we'll just say Brian's CJ is one slick six.
YJ leaf springs are longer than stock, so they flex better and ride more smoothly. Brian did a shackle reversal to further improve ride quality. The owner hopes to replace the leaf packs with coilovers at some point. | 
Big brakes, kingpin knuckles, 332-X u-joints, and hi-steer mean Brian gets to concentrate on driving instead of fixing trail breakdowns. | 
A full-size Chevy gave up the Dana 60 front end. Brian had it stuffed with a Detroit Locker and a 4.88 ring and pinion set; there's a matching combo in the 14-bolt rearend. A PSC power steering box with a matching ram assist take stress off of the frame rail and make short work of manipulating the 38-inch Interco TSL's. |