Why not be backwards?

I understand that hydos are used to pop up a lowrider.
I also seem to understand that a coil spring is used to cushion and spring up the vehicle in the opposite direction of the force of gravity.  and that gravity forces the fluid out of the actuator chambers in most or all lowrider set-ups.

Objective: to drive a vehicle that is high arch spung at regular height with unaltered spring heights (usually shortened) or tension (2.5 tons?), but use hydraulics to lower the vehicle for entry and exit but also to take advantage of that equipment to be able to still hop and dance the vehicle.

What is the right way to configure a system to take a high sprung vehicle and lower it to the ground for easy entry and exit.  

Will this obviously be a two hose - traditional hydraulic cylinder set up?

Can the cylinder be plumbed in a way, for normal driving, that the shock absorbers ar removed and the hydraulic cylinders used with normaly open valves with a restrictor or flow valve on one of the hoses going to a reservoir?

I have a good understanding of hydraulic cylinders, are the seals between the chamber and shaft an issue?  They shouldn't be.

Can it still be set up to hop??  

There is a second part to this for later.

vol_vo / hydros I know you have answers - e.mail me.

Thanks