Well, crazy news. The rear shock height was basically reset to where it should have been based on the old units not holding air as will as they should have.
Arnott has confirmed to me that their website is INCORRECT and needs to be updated in regard to SK-3354 vs SK-4261. Arnott used to recommend SK-3354 for 2WD Yukon, T-Hoe, Burb, Esky and small wheelbase 4wd of the same. The SK-4261 was only for XL versions of eth SUV and the corresponding 1500 series pickup trucks. Now they recommend SK-4261 for everything save 2WD short wheelbase SUVs. Just to clarify a bit more.. the SK-4261 is the SAME strut assembly (same eibach monotube shock and spring / spring rate) as the 3354 except it has a 1 inch poly coil spacer directly under the spring in the strut assembly. Im going to use a small 1 inch suspension-maxx spacer on the bottom and will have a nice 2"level without having a huge 2" spacer above or below the strut. BTW- Arnott sent me the new assembly's and sent me return labeling to ship the old struts back to them in! Good company. Marvin in tech at Arnott is A+ to deal with.
Basically, to sum this all up for anyone that is interested or has same situation, my truck had factory springs and factory magneride shock on all 4 corners with a 1.5 suspension-maxx level in the front (which as we all know is not completely level still has rake). It sat as it should with a 1.5 kit. After replacing the front struts and rear shocks with the aforementioned units, the rake increased due to A. wrong front struts and B. correctly working rear air shocks.
Ill post some pics before and after when I get around to swapping everything out.
FWIW- the Arnotts ride great and offer a very reasonably comfortable and controlled ride. I will second what Thrust said about a properly functioning magnaride being better. It is...BUT... its also a PITA and they dont last and are $$$!!