When does an AAL require new struts?

Hey all! new to leaf suspension. New owner. first pickup. I know at some point I'll do a full lift, but for now, my rear end is about even with the front with just the weight of my cap, awning, bike rack and wood sleeper platform.

As nothing else is up with the suspension/front end, I'm planning on just doing an AAL to take the weight a bit better for when I load it down with bikes, camping equipment etc.

When do I need new struts for a lift? was thinking the icon 1.5 would be fine for now, unless anyone has a better AAL to add. Any thoughts? I have some yellow bilsteins on there that I believe are factory now, def not 5100.

Thanks in advance! (btw, I hunted around and got mixed reviews on related questions so just wanted to put it out there directly)

 

If your current struts aren't blown, I'd just leave them on there. You shouldn't need a new strut unless you do a full pack replacement to get a larger lift. If your current leaves are shot putting the AAL is just a bandaid and the pack will sag again in short time. Do you have the TSB leaves or just the regular ones?

 

I believe it’s the 4 pack, so the TSB? Total of 4 leaves. Any steadfast way to know when leaves are bad?