I went with the 100mm air gap after goldvalving as well. Even with the appropriate shimstack, I've thought I'd like to try a bigger airgap like 120mm. At 100mm I still have a hard time bottoming the forks out and they're still a little naughtier over the trail trash than I'd like. I'm thinking the 120mm gap would kill both birds with one stone.

 

Actually, dj, the fork oil level only comes into play at the very last of the travel...well, as long as there's still some "usable" air space left. That air space left above the given oil level acts as a bottomout spring to some degree. Air is compressible, oil is not. Air is also very "progressive" in its nature as it is being compressed. It's the best tool out there for dialing in how your bike bottoms out or as it nears full bottom out, so it may indeed help you get all your travel as you mention, but unlikely to address suspension action over the small stuff.

If you feel a little too much harshness in the beginning travel portion of your fork...like over the rubble that you describe...you may need either a softer spring or lighter compression damping...and in some cases a little of both.

 

Air only forks for the win!
They've come a long way for mountain bikes, I wonder if there will ever be air only for MCs? Or do they already exist?

 

The new CRF450 and the KX450F have air forks.