Is there a reason why Dodge & Chevy make their rear section shocks on different sides of the rear axle? I guess it was the first thing I noticed about my dodge when I first got it that kind of bothered my eye a bit because when you look at it from the rear, all you can see if just one shock....My dad and brothr have fords, and their rear shocks are side by side and you can see both of them from the rear. Is there a reason why Dodge & Chevy have different rear shock set-ups than Ford does?

 

Hmmmmmm.

 

Ya know, I have always wondered that same question as well. I like the look of having the shocks on the same side on both sides as that way you can see both shocks and the boot colors as well. I think even my old '79 duster had the same setup but I cant remember that far back.

Hopefully someone has an answer since you have me thinking about it again.

 

I wondered the same thing also... hmm. This is what I told myself althought it is prob far from the truth. I figured the leafs obviously hold most of the weight and help the axle from twisting. But as far as the shocks, I figured that if i load up weight in the back, or think of a trailer, the weight should be better distributed across the axle (equal downward force on both sides vs. one side?? It probably absorbs better. I don't really know anything, but that is my guess.

 

exactly, that's the best guess i've tried to come up with as well. It doesn't help that I am a perfectionist lol, so when I had my new white and red rancho shocks installed, my eyes got a little bothered when all i saw was just one shock from the rear lol. And a lot of ppl say it looks weird too haha, but i want to know the reason why dodge does it, and why ford does it the other way....there must be a logic to it ya kno??

 

Ok, don't blame me for this but this is what I heard. The pass side shock is mounted in front of the axle to help reduce twisting/wrap. It will not stop it. With the way they are staggered with the driver's behind and the pass forward, that counters the rotation direction during forward acceleration.
Fact or Krap... who knows. Just what I heard.

 

i can find this answer out tomorrow if i remember, everyday after class i doing towing for a big garage and they'll definitely know why.

 

that'll be sweet bro, thx!

 

They do that to control axle wrap. It is a very common set up on numerous manufacturers, not just Dodge and Chevy.

 

Hmm...well it sounds like it's a pretty smart idea, too bad it's just so ugly looking haha