I can't decide what size leaper to use on my XJ40 .I have two sizes one is 5" and the other is 7" one .So what size would you use ?
This is 7" leaper


Here goes 5" leaper :

 

Hi, just depends on which one looks best to you. Everyone has their opinions, and generally thebest one is your own. Actually, Jaguar didn't put the leapers on the cars at the factory. It was a dealer option. Their are many owners that prefer not having it at all, most in the UK. I like my small one on my XJ-6. My XJS doesn't have one, it has the Growler badge, which I have mixed feelings on. Just curious, did yours come without one, or stolen, broken? I'm sure others will chime in, but ultimately the choice is yours. Regards. Keith

 

Mine didn't come with the leaper unlike my old X300 . I would like to put 7" leaper but my main concern is you know 7" is way heavier over the 5" one .So it shouldn't damage the hood in the long run namely when you're on uneven surfaces ie rattles,flutter,shakes etc

 

I wouldn't think that would be a problem, if installed correctly. I would, however, put a very well trimmed gasket of some type, maybe rubber, to not only cushion it against the hood as you tighten the screws, but also to prevent water, too eliminate any rust issues in the future.

 

You can be sure that it will be installed correctly .I considered of some gasket too .I don't wanna see any remarks of rusts from using a leaper too .I looked at Arden's leaper as well. I think it's smaller to my view

 

7" SHOW IT OFF :P haha!!

 

Last summer I looked at two XJ-6's, one a 84, the other 86. My 85 came from the same bunch earlier when they all still belonged to a local Dentist. One had the 5 inch, the other the 7 inch. Different dealers, I guess. Anyway, seeing them side by side, I really preferred the smaller, kind of understated leaper. My 85 has the smaller leaper as well. The larger one, to me at least, draws too much attention to itself, and away from the natural beauty of the rest of the car. Kinda like looking at a clown, your eye is always drawn to the big red nose. Sorry about that, the only thing I could thinkof that compares. Then again, ever since this discussion came up a while back on Jag-lovers, and looking at lots of pictures of cars without the leaper, I'm almost, (but not quite), leaning towards the non-leaper. They really do look good without them. I think that the only people that might have an opinion one way or the other is Jag owners. The general public looks at these cars, expecting the leaper, but not having a clue that there are different sizes.