I have a 2001 GC 60th anniversary edition that I want to replace the shocks on. When looking at Rockauto almost everything is listed as "excluding Up Country susp", or "w/o Up Country suspension". I've been reading up online about it and it seems it was an option back then. I have everything in the GC that was listed as an option so I'm assuming I have the UC suspension also. I don't have the UC emblem anywhere which makes me wonder. How can I tell for sure, and if I do, what shocks should I order?

 

If you do find out you have them.. Then, you should order the upcountry shocks.

 

I found an FCA website where I could enter my VIN and in one click found out everything about my WJ. It was originally shipped to Milwaukee with 7 gallons of gas in it's tank. LOL. It lists every single item including all options. So far as the suspension it says I have normal duty suspension, so now I know which type of shock to order. If anyone's interested in their Jeeps here is the link. It's only good for rigs built from 1998 and after.
https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

 

Thats really cool. I think you can go with Up Country on all of them if you wanted better.. Maybe, right?

 

I don't know Noah. There must be some significant difference if all the online vendors make a distinction between standard and UC. I don't go off roading so I don't think I'll really need it. I mainly use the 4 wd when the roads get crappy in the winter. I would think the UC's would ride a little stiffer than I like also.

 

I believe the Up Country suspension is basically a factory 2" lift. This requires shocks with a longer stroke and an adjustment of the front driveshaft length because of the double CV joints (at both ends).

 

That's strange. People put 2" budget boost pucks in to lift it that high, without changing anything else I think? What would be the difference?

It is probably best to match your suspension hardware all up though, how it is supposed to be for with your stock set-up how you want it.

 

The reason you'd want longer shocks with a 2" lift is for extension. To get the same suspension travel, the axle should extend 2 more inches downward. This is also when the driveshaft CV joints can come apart at full extension.

 

It is important to appropriately match the shocks to the lift huh? Even minimal 2" lifts too? Longer travel shocks to match any longer springs, or even with the budget boost pucks it sounds like. It is not absolutely necessary, or always done this way for with a minimal 2" lift by everybody, but I guess it really should be with how I understand things... I will focus to learn more about the lifting some day.

 

You don't need longer shocks with a 2" budget lift, but you've got to remember the factory has to stand behind anything they do so they kept the total suspension travel the same. Remember without the shocks and sway bar, there isn't much holding the front axle from dropping far enough for the springs to pop out and rip the brake hoses off. The WJ isn't bad about the brake hoses because of the way they are routed.

I was going to give my WJ a 2" lift, but the more I thought about it, I didn't want to open up a kettle of fish to problems I hadn't thought about since it's my DD and needed for my business.

 

I think about taking my ZJ front springs out, and putting them in the rear. Find two springs in the yard for the front that are about 3 1/2 inches longer to match. Go that route maybe? It won't be for awhile though.

Maybe I could go with some Up Country springs if I found some?

 

I've been told you should use ZJ V8 front springs for the swap you're suggesting. I'm sure there are a crapload of posts on this very subject on the forum. I have read them in the past. Another popular swap is using V8 ZJ tierods for more strength.

 

You can get new control arms, 'take-offs', from a Wrangler that are a direct fit too, if you can find them? For using with a 3 1/2" lift concept on a ZJ Grand Cherokee..

 

I believe Dave is being generous when he suggests a 2" lift. I think it was less than that originally and with time , the springs sag so by now it could be 3/4". I replaced my Jeeps shocks shortly after I bought it. I got mine off AMAZON specifically for the Up Country suspension. If you decide to put a modest 2" on it, you should be able to use the Up Country shocks you buy so its not a bad idea to go that way. From what I can tell, they were no more expensive than the shocks made for a standard suspension..

 

You might find this link informative about Up Country.

http://wjjeeps.com/upcountry.htm#UCUPGRADE