'93-'98 V8 Grand Cherokee UpCountry Suspension:

By: Scott Mueller

The factory UpCountry Suspension option includes slightly taller (and stiffer) springs, special Sachs-Boge German made gas shocks, thicker jounce bumpers (the bumpers and cups are the same, the only differences are small aluminum spacers are added between the cups and frame both front and rear), and special rear spring upper isolators.

From '93 to '95 the UpCountry (code AWE) suspension was available on both Limited and Laredo model Grand Cherokees. In '96 it was available on the Laredo only, and not on the Limited. In '97 and '98 UpCountry was again available on the Limited. Exceptions to this are the Orvis models from '95-'97 which included the UpCountry suspension as standard equipment, and the '98 5.9 Limited, for which UpCountry was not available from the factory.

After having a '96 Orvis with standard UpCountry suspension, and comparing the ride and handling to other ZJs without the upgraded suspension, I knew how much it improved the handling of the vehicle on the road as well as off. As such I was disappointed to learn that I could not get the UpCountry package on the 5.9 Limited for '98. Fortunately this problem can be easily rectified by purchasing the parts that make up the package over the counter, and installing them myself.

Even though I have no intentions of taking my GC off-road I installed the UpCountry suspension on my 5.9 Limited as in my testing it dramatically improves on-the-road as well as off-road handling. It also raises the truck about one inch overall as compared to the standard suspension, which helps in the deep winter snow we get here in Chicago plus it gives a slightly more commanding view of the road.

The stiffer springs and firmly damped shocks which are part of the UpCountry suspension group really improve both the ride and handling of the GC. My 5.9 Limited already had the factory skid plate and tow-hook package which is also included as a part of the UpCountry Suspension group, but those parts do nothing for handling.

If you want to install the UpCountry package on a '93-'98 ZJ as I have, then you need the following parts from your Jeep dealer:

Total = $175.12

Also included with UpCountry are Sachs-Boge (made in Schweinfurt Germany) gas shocks, which are a high quality monotube high pressure gas shock with the unique feature of upside-down mounting. Unlike conventional shocks, they are mounted with the body up and the rod end down, which helps improve handling by reducing unsprung weight. With this design most of the weight is attached to the vehicle chassis rather than the suspension. To protect the chrome steel hardened rod from rock damage, it is covered by a high quality silicone rubber boot featuring drain holes to allow moisture to escape.

Another outstanding feature of the Sachs shock is the paint quality. Starting in '97, Sachs adopted a 5-stage paint process resulting in a black colored shock (from '93-'96 they were blue) that will withstand over 1,000 hours of salt spray without corroding. Jeep engineers felt that this was an important feature since the shocks are so visible in the ZJ design.

The UpCountry shocks are available under the following part numbers:

Total = $340.50

Note that these prices are net discounted prices available from most dealers, the list price on the shocks alone is $454! As you can see, the shocks would be by far the most expensive part of the package. It is possible to substitute aftermarket shocks instead of the factory Sachs UpCountry versions, and this will save some money. For aftermarket shocks I recommend Bilstein or Edelbrock. Both are a high quality shock, with the Edelbrock sporting unique valving and an upside down design similar to the UpCountry shocks. The Edelbrocks cost about $70 each net while the Bilsteins are about $60 each net. I tested both and found the Bilstein a bit firmer, and more to my liking. However, in my testing neither were as firmly valved as the UpCountry shocks, so it was worth it for me to spend the extra money.

Also included with the standard UpCountry suspension package are tow hooks and skid plates. These are not necessary for handling improvements, but would be considered essential if you ever did wish to go off-road. I replaced the front tow hooks with chrome ones from Reese (the hitch people), and added stainless steel tow hook clips from JC Whitney.

In order to install the UpCountry package on my '98 I needed to find a Limited with UpCountry to read the spring tags to know which springs the factory was installing. I failed to write them down from the '96 Orvis I had, and the parts catalog lists several springs which could be used with UpCountry. I found a dealer with several UpCountry equipped GCs on the lot, (which is actually quite rare here in the Chicago area), and quickly found that all of the '98 V8s with UpCountry that I saw (both Limited and Laredo V8s) used p/n 52088363 (code GN) springs in front and p/n 52089145 (code JJ) springs in the rear.

The JJ rear springs are the firmest and tallest available from the factory, while the code GN springs are the second tallest/firmest front springs. Code GP front springs are the tallest shown in the parts books, but I have never seen a single factory equipped GC using them. I thought they would raise the front a little too much relative to the rear so I stuck with the GN code springs, but the GP versions would probably be ideal if you had a winch or aftermarket off-road bumper on the front.

And finally, the piece de resistance <sp?>, the one part I haven't mentioned is the "UpCountry Suspension Group" sticker that goes on the inside of the LH rear side cargo area window behind the spare facing out. Now that is the true sign of a factory UpCountry equipped vehicle. <g> For symmetry, I put one on each side rather than just on the side with the spare.

Of course these stickers don't do a darn thing for the handling, but they sure do LOOK cool. <g> To augment the factory UpCountry parts, I have also installed Addco aftermarket swaybars front and rear. This results in a DRAMATIC improvement in on-road handling, and represents perhaps the best bangfor the buck suspension improvement overall. Combined with UpCountry, the effect is awesome. I had the Addco bars on my '96 Orvis with UpCountry, and that combination results in about the best handling SUV there is.

The only suggestion I can make (especially for '96 and up owners) is to forget the poor quality installation hardware Addco includes (just throw it away) and instead purchase and use the '95 and earlier factory GC front swaybar end links (purchase from your dealer). The Addco supplied front end links are extremely poor quality, and the '96 and up Addco bar will not work with the '96 and up factory end links, so you will need to order the '95 and earlier factory versions. The rear Addco bar uses the stock end links already which is no problem. Also discard the center bushings and clamps that are supplied by Addco, and instead order pairs of Energy Suspension 1-1/4" and 7/8" greasable urethane center links from Summit Racing. Those are far better than the Addco supplied ones and the grease fittings mean you can lube them properly so they won't squeak, bind or wear.

I have also added Air Lift bags to the rear springs so I can control the ride height when towing a trailer. If you order the air lift bags, make sure you tell them you have an UpCountry equipped GC, as they will include spacers for the taller springs.

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