I have some Bilsteins I am putting on the truck. I off road a lot on rocks and my shock mounts get caught up and one is already bent a little. On my 2001 F150 4x4 5.4L the rear shock mounts are low on the axle like:




First question, why are the left and right different and why does the right have a mounting hole on both sides?

Second, If I cut the mounts off and replace them with a set up like:



assuming the mounting points are not more than an inch higher will it mess up my suspension geometry?

 

The right shock mount is designed in that way because some F-150's came with staggered rear shocks from the factory. In theory, staggered shocks help to reduce axle wrap.

 

I think only the supercrews came with the staggered setup.

 

If I fab up a traction bar will I be able to mount the shocks in the new location in my drawing without messing anything up(even if the shocks are about one inch higher than original)? I'm tired of getting them cought on rocks.

 

lightnings and supercharged harley trucks also had that set up...