I received an e mail from a Jeep Freak Friend of mine that made me think:
Got your message late last night.  Yes a scrambler (cj-8) is about 10" longer in wheelbase than a cj-7.  Interestingly, the new wrangler unlimited is also 10" longer than a wrangler TJ.  Thinking about that, I guess the cj- 8 would be one of the first XUVs that are all the rage since it has a removeable midgate (like the GM avalanche), and had a full top option so it could be either a truck or a wagon (now known as "SUV").
those jeep guys!