I doubt you could cut off only 2" and not have to plug holes. You can verify this by removing the batter head and one lug. Take a ruler and measure from the inside edge to the center lug hole. Add at least 1/8" for any truing that may be required before cutting the new edge. I suspect that 2" will hit somewhere between the two lug holes so making a 16" deep drum wouldn't be possible if that is the case.

There would be no problem making it 14" deep.

You would want to cut off from the batter side since you have spurs on the front.

Would 15 in be a good choice

As long as cutting it down to 15" cuts the shell beyond the two lug holes that will work. Really the only way to know is take the measurements I recommended.

I'm not going ahead with it i don't like the thought of the drum being modified im going to stick with 18 im sure 2 in wouldnt have made a huge difference but 14 yes thanks for your replys

Good decision. Most bass drums are played with some type of muffling device, anyway and the way you choose to muffle the drum is going to make a bigger difference than to cut it down a couple inches. Now, toms....That's a different story.

Most of the time....at least from what I have observed, people get into this frame of mind where they think they will create a more desirable or signature sound for themselves if they just do something to the drum(s)...But, it's ALL already been done a million times and almost no one has a unique sound because of any of it. Again, good decision!

EDIT: If you've ever gotten your drums to sound jussssst right, and then let someone else sit in and play them, the drums will sound completely different to your ideal.

Thankyou O-Log yes you make alot of sense in your post im glad I didn't go ahead with it ive got it sounding nice now to my desire I just love that drum thanks again.