Ok, so here are two more examples of springs impacting ride, one anyone can duplicate (unlike removing my springs and driving). First we all know that we air down for grip, but there is also the mantra ‘air down for comfort,’ so lower and raid your tire pressure and tell me that does not impact ride quality…tires act as air springs.
Second example, my daily is a Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, and I like to take it to Assateague beach here. I can raise and lower its ride because it uses air springs. The first time out I decided to take it all the way up (even though didn’t need it), and it bashed and battered me around as the springs were so tight, there was little give.
In both examples the springs are changing and not the shocks.
I’m not sure what else I can say, those are real world examples of springs impacting ride.