Leaves here for the XJ are kind of rare, Jeep OEM central (Belgium) is typicaly double the price. A few regional suppliers, quality and origin unknown, have replacement stock springs (regular or up country) for about $450 a pair, plus tax and shipping. Rancho short AAL is about $150 plus shipping (locally). Shipping from the states can triple the price (a $110 trailer hitch and $278 shipping). Can get the springs rearched, but the results in the past, have been some less than ideal, last time I was looking for 2" of lift, got 4".
Money is a little to hard to come buy, to throw it away.
The pack I have now is in pretty good shape, a slight kink about 4" in from the shackle. Xj drives good at any speed, actually well set up.
Was thinking about the leaves spreading, probably can deal with that, with a little thought a set of clamps and my welder (small spacer welded to the clamp, to line up with the top leaf). I like Red87Cherokees idea, probably gonna remember that one.
But if there are no real benefits to using the thicker top leaf, I´m probably, going with my home made, long AAL and when/if it breaks, try something else.
Thanx for the imput guys, it´s appreciated.
P:S: the inspections around here are pretty strict, most aftermarket parts, require a certification, which along with the shipping, makes mod.´s with stateside parts, a rich mans game. But if it´s well done, the inspectors often don´t notice, they are not that famililiar with the XJ. :shhh: