Suspension Lifts under $1000

If you're not using a $5000 suspension for what it was designed for, then it's a waste of money for your needs. For most people the stock suspension will do all they ever ask of it. If someone just wants a lift that offers the same reliability and near same ride quality as factory suspension, but they want ~2" of lift, then the Old Man Emu is probably the perfect answer for them. There are compromises when doing a block lift, and pre-loading 5100's also compromises performance. Although 5100's less so than block lift, and for most people this works perfectly fine too, certainly better than blocks! The OME stuff will not be a compromise from stock in terms of reliability, comfort, or performance.

However, perhaps you enjoy romping through the desert at 60mph, then the stock or OME will not meet your needs. If that's the case, you will want larger struts/shocks with external reservoir, perhaps even struts and control arms that offer longer travel. Those types of suspensions will offer superior performance in high speed off road drivign situations, and they often offer a ride that is tolerable cruising around most roads. That doesn't mean it doesn't come at a price, both monetary and mechanical. High performance shocks often need to be rebuilt more often, and threaded bodies that allow spring seat adjustment are susceptible to corrosion. If control arms with bearings instead of bushings are used then they too will have a shorter life and require more maintenance than the factory components. But if you want to haul ass over rutted out desert roads, there really isn't anything else that will meet those demands.

My point is that to some people having a high performance suspension is great, because it meets their needs and they're willing to accept the cost of more frequent maintenance and shorter lifespan components. Other people may not need that performance because they don't go bombing around off road, or perhaps they are more concerned with maintaining Toyota like reliability/durability.

It's best to identify what your intended use is, what compromises you're willing to live with, how much you want to spend, and then you can make the best decision about what type of suspension upgrade will meet your needs best.