Cheapest way to get an inch or 2...

Extra leafs will surely make it ride rougher.

Actually it doesn't unless you over do it because it is helping the weak springs that are on the car. Isn't that what the issue is that the issue causing you to ask about modifications? I have done that modification all my life on all cars that had leaf springs with great success. Even MaMopar offered different amounts of leafs on the same car depending on what you ordered.