This does not really buy you much, the shock is the down travel limiting link in the front but that limit is what keeps the CV's from over extension and failure so other than 0.5 - 1.0" of down travel (risking your CV's) you don't gain much advantage. On a heavy vehicle that is wheeled at any speed the stock dampers are not up to the job anyway. It's a two factor problem; first you need shocks tuned to the weight, second you want to maximize use of available travel.
When you have a 30mm lift (low lift used on expedition), a diff drop and want to retain the max possible, usable drop, this 30 mm or a little more (on top of my head, you would want something around 460 to 465mm equivalent extended shocks just as you are all going for) added down travel would make a massive difference on tracks and on grip when things get twisty or in dunes. This is apparently available at the cost of a tiny mod on the lower arm. I am just surprised it has not been much looked into.
This could also make the AHC compatible with higher base lift and longer front susp travel.
I agree that the shocks valving should be in accordance to the weight and springs but also to the intended use of it, and possibility to get spares where you are going.
On an expedition truck, not a racing one, (my lc80 went from Koni raid, the big ones and 70mm lift, back to KYB excel G and 30, 40mm lift with a smile) i would rather have some standard (toyota, KYB or OME sport) shocks, doubled if really heavy, than high tech shocks that don't last the distance and leave you stranded. I have seen so many of this top notch shocks letting the roadrunners of our groups down on jacks waiting for oem shocks were the rest of the group on more average shocks, at a reasonable pace made the all trip without issues. Not to talk about the very poor reliability of the tiny bushings or rod end bearings on many shocks we have try. These rods end bearing rarely go passed 10 000km, usually fail half way through the trip. Some Eu manufacturer use twice as big if not bigger rod end than the US and from higher grades, gets better results...but they very rarely if not never outlast the good old bounder rubbers on the long run.
It is all about what you use your truck for, how much you fork in and for how long.
I will stop there. It was just to point out an alternative that so far i haven't red about.
I will explore this when i get my 100 i am looking for.
