Quote
One reason I went with the HD Bilsteins was the overall heft of this platform...4720 lbs with just a tank of gas, no driver. The stock shocks just didn't feel right, albeit very smooth at highway cruising... but the HD's controlled the ride quite well, but over smaller bumps they didn't have that bump compliance I was hoping for.
I didn't realize it weighed quite that much, though it's not that much more than I would have guessed.
I think I understand what you are saying, but I think you are mixing the job a spring does with the job the shock does. In general:
a) the spring controls the ride height, bears the weight of the vehicle. It dictates compression over bumps, with input from the shock.
b) the shock is just a hydraulic pump that dampens the spring movement. it does not set ride height or absolute firmness.
c) If you install shocks and it alters your height at any corner, the spring is toast. Shocks shouldn't do that.
Based on what you said, " but over smaller bumps they didn't have that bump compliance I was hoping for," it sounds like you mean they were dampening the spring too much and making it feel harsh. That's mostly a function of the spring, which controls the body/weight of the vehicle, wanting to bounce/oscillate too much and the spring fighting it. I think it sounds like you had soft springs and firm shocks.
If the Bilsteins don't have insane miles on them, maybe keep them and change the springs.
I bought my acura in 2010 (1998 model). The factory shocks AND springs were then toast ( it is 4,400lbs curb weight i think). I am betting the follow-on model envoy/aschender was similarly sprung, and by now, even if you've changed the shocks, the springs are just mush. Probably were years ago. I actually think your shocks may be just fine, depending upon how long they've been in there and what kind of miles/roads.