Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix

[stomper]

I ground out the factory upper shock mount rivets and installed ECE's shock relocating brackets. I was imagining how my exhaust will snake over the diff and outside the framerails and noticed my rear upper shock mounts are not symetrical. The location differs by more than an inch side-to-side

1. Is it supposed to be like this? I'm thinking not.

2. Should I worry about it and relocate one of the brackets? Is it going to ride noticibly different if I don't?

3. Is yes to #2, which side? I'm guessing make the shock that is less vertical, more vertical. That was the whole point in the shock relocation kit when I did the 6" drop springs.

Damn if I'd noticed this before powdercoating the frame I could have fixed it!

[OJ1988]

I noticed that on mine as well.

[LockDoc]

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I can't imagine it would be enough to make a difference in ride (or anything else for that matter). I would just roll with it.

Just my 2¢ worth.

LockDoc

[68gmsee]

You won't notice it. Move it if it's something you can't live with otherwise I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Been like that for over 40 years.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

It has to be factory as I checked two of our trucks, (71, 72 2wd) and the left side on both is 1" closer to the frame rail.

Jim

[partsman3]

I noticed it also. Figured it had something to do with the side travel from the panhard bar. Dunno, I could be wrong?

[stomper]

Hmmm... I looked at a couple of other trucks and they also have the same locations that differ almost an inch from side to side. I don't understand why but I guess that's the way they all are. I'll leave it.

[MacGyver72]

I'd check the locations on the rear end as well. It could be that although they are not centered to the frame, perhaps the angle of the shocks is symmetric. The bottom mount measurements are probably off too. It could have been clearance issues for other items or related to the panhard bar as was previously suggested. In short, no issue. Bolt them up and drive er.

[ChevLoRay]

I love the ride that these trucks have, and that modification didn't make any difference to my truck. Mine is lowered 2.5/4.0 and has ECE shock relocators, adjustable track bar, etc. My '96 GMC SWB has a leaf-sprung rear end and it rides like the rock that Chevy advertises. Even tho it is also lowered, nothing I have done has made it ride the same as my '69.

[Boog]

This is the way the factory built it. The fact that the top mount is an inch or so diff than the other side makes no difference in the ride. Since it is not a solid link but a hydraulic valve it can be mounted a good bit differently from side to side and you would not be able to feel the difference.
What should be of more concern is the amount of angle lowering the rear suspension puts on the shocks. The more the truck's rear is lowered the more the shocks lay over and the less functional they become at controlling wheel bounce and body movement.
I did some experimenting with this many years ago with an old truck I lowered. The factory setup had the shocks at an angle toward the center of the frame. With the vertical movement of the axle the amount of shock piston travel should move near the same but it decreases the more the shock is angled over. On that old truck I moved the top shock mount outward to stand them up more. It made a tremendous difference in how it rode and especially around corners. It didn't lean near as much as before.
Andy 4639 ? recently put a new rear shock mount setup on his which stood the shocks up more behind the axle and said he could really feel the difference in ride control.
For those of you looking for a better ride and handling truck give some thought to how you have your rear shocks mounted. Are yours still fairly verticle or are they nearer to 45* angle?