triangulated bars not centered on the axle...

this seems to be a common mistake, because i have seen it on many other trucks. but when mine was originally bagged, the guy used the driveshaft loop in the crossmember as the "center point" in which he placed the front tabs for the upper bars. therefore, the upper bars are shifted to the side because the driveshaft doesn't run down the center of the truck as we all know. also, the bags are mounted on the upper bars. so I have been driving it like this for years and haven't been able to notice any major flaws as a result, but im now at the point where im starting to fix things, as time permits, that weren't done right. so basically, im wanting to know if mechanically, not aesthetically, this is really causing any problems or adverse handling characteristics. i understand we're only talking about a 3 inch offset or so, but that may be a big deal. if its not, i'll just leave it, because i have very little spare time right now, and i would have to move the bag mounts as well. but if you think its definately worth fixing, i'll try to work something out. thanks.

I am quite sure that there are MANY people out there that think that I am far to worried about the small things. There have been more arguments about how someone's truck works perfect and he has a reverse 4-link or isn't running any shocks. But the thing is that EVERYTHING that you build has compromises and if you start out not caring about how well it is set up in the first place, your compromises can become untollerable. If you head into the project trying to make it as perfect as possible and you have to fudge a few rules, then your compromises will almost always be so minimal that they are unnoticeable. If I told people that mounting the upper bags a little bit off center was okay, then there will certainly be a number of people that will think that if a little bit is ok, then a medium amount is still good and it will only get worse from there. So I will always preach that you should try for as perfect as possible.   If you have been driving your truck for all these years and are pleased with how it drives and you wouldn't change anything unless I told you that you should, then leave it. You aren't going to offent me by leaving something that you are plenty happy with.

well...i guess my whole truck was compromised when the suspension work was done, because at the time i had no idea how all this worked so i had someone else do it. now that i have the knowledge and skill, i am fixing major issues. at this point, i just want to make this truck a safe daily driver. ill do the next truck the right way from the beginning, myself. there is just too much to change with this one, without starting over. so without this explaination, my original question may have been worded the wrong way. I guess im just curious as to what the side effects are of the upper bars being offset to one side? because my truck is the only bagged ride i've ever been in, i may just be used to a poor handling truck.

If your triangulated bars are not central within the chassis then i would say the roll centre is not central within the chassis.  I think worse case senario you would experince the truck rolling more to one side than the other when cornering.

Exactly!