upper bar 4link and shock question

Max,
First question is about the upper bars on four links.  I see some trucks have the bushing ends for the upper bars at about 45 deg angles.  Some I see the bushing ends straight front to back.  Which way is actually the best? 
 
 
Excuse the pic.  Did it real quick in paint to help explain my question.
 
Second and third question is about shock location on a factory vehicle with leaf spring suspension.
Why do they angle the shocks on opposite sides of rear end?
Would it affect the truck much if I moved those? 
I've got air shocks and wanted to place the differently.  Both behind the axle instead of on opposite sides.
 
Thanks!

I forgot to hit the email reply box.

good question on the link bar ends. I have always wondered this myself.

Well, I can only give you my feelings on the subject as I do not have any definitive answers about the eurethane... Both methods work and work well, but what I feel the advantages and disadvantages of each would be are: Bushings parallel to the axle- The bushings would obviously allow infinate travel with no binding, but when lateral (side) forces are applied, the often small flange of the bushing would "see" all of the abuse. Bushings parallel to the bar- The bushings would be somewhat limited to travel being that the bushing is not installed along the pivoting axis and because of that you can expect a shorter lifespan ont of your bushings. BUT... I feel that the bushings will handle lateral forces better because the side loads will not be handled by the flange only.  The factory mounts their shocks with one forward and one back to help absorb the twisting forces that are generated by accelerating and decelerating with a leafspring suspension. If you move the shock mounts so that they are both in front or behind the axle, you should NOT have any issues... At least none that I have personally experienced.

Thanks Max!  Tough decision on which way to go.   This truck will only see up and down.  But roads are never even.  I think I'll probably go with the later one then.  Sounds like the best for the bushing wear.