Rear coilover location
 

I had a friend ask me this and I didn't have an answer. On a chassis car does it matter it the shocks are located behind or in front of the rear end? Are their any advantages or disadvantages on either?

The rear mounting location either strait up and down or slightly forward at the tops is the preferred mounting location for shock absorbers. If they were mounted ahead of the axle they would have to be made much stiffer to have the same affect they would have behind the axle due to the motion ratio change. The further forward the shocks are mounted, the less authority they will have on dampening forces. A lot of chassis builders have tried the forward position for various reasons, requiring special valved shocks that are unconventional and expensive due to the uncommon motion ratio, so this is why I always mount them rear of the housing about 6". I hope this helps you with your friend's question.
Bruce

And on the rear mounted shocks, it make it a little easier to adjust them if they are adjustable. JMO

TS1955