Lift Blocks vs ?

Hey sorry if this has been beaten to death. First off let me tell you bout my truck. 02 tacoma sr5 double cab 4wd. Looking to lift 3" with a budget of 1000. I am not a serious off roader but do occasionally take my toy off road and do not want to make it ride like crap. I called my local shop, Custom Truck in Redwood City, and they recommended putting blocks under the existing suspension. I have been lurking round and heard of people going with new shocks, coils n whatnot and add a leaf but he said that would be an extra $400 just for that. So my question is: Should I go with what they are recommending or is that all bad in the long run and I should save up more money? Again sorry if this is a repete.