Shocks for a 2" drop 97 Tahoe

[Richard]

On pretty much any vehicle you can completely remove the spring and the bump stop bumper. Jack the suspension up until it is bottomed metal to metal. A stock length shock will not be bottomed out in this position. Factory designed suspension this way.
As mentioned by some, ride on lowered vehicles that use shorter or "drop shocks" can be made even worse because now you have not only limited up travel with the shorter springs, down travel is now limited by the shock. Shock valving has to do with the type of shock not the length. The dampening of the shock is linear throughout the shock movement except on some specialized shocks like the internal bypass shock on the front of my 72.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Richard

The dampening of the shock is linear throughout the shock movement except on some specialized shocks like the internal bypass shock on the front of my 72.

It is not linear, otherwise shocks wouldn't have a high speed and low speed compression damping circuits [obviously only high end units do, but the principle is the same]. Shocks work by forcing fluid threw restrictions. The restrictions don't change size to accommodate fluid speed, therefor changing the valving in essence depending on the speed of motion put into it.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Tom

It is not linear, otherwise shocks wouldn't have a high speed and low speed compression damping circuits [obviously only high end units do, but the principle is the same]. Shocks work by forcing fluid threw restrictions. The restrictions don't change size to accommodate fluid speed, therefor changing the valving in essence depending on the speed of motion put into it.

Think you know I was referring the shock position, compressed 50% or 80%. It acts the same. High and low speed circuits in my shocks are in the same piston and adjusted with different diameter and thickness "flexible washers". How this stack reacts to pressure changes is the valving. The bypass in my front shocks closes up in the top end of travel. This makes the shock dampening harder at that point. The shock angle changing relative to suspension movement changes the dampening characteristics, to the vehicle as well. In my reply I was just trying to keep it simple for those that use standard or bolt on parts.