Are Spacer Lifts Bad For Your Truck?

I have what looks to be a 1 1/2 or Two inch lift on my 97 2.7 4x4 single cab. My mechanic said it was a "shitty way to lift a truck". I didn't lift it, previous owner did, so not offended. But...he did point out that it was stressing the joints and that eventually he said they could snap and he thinks I should take them out. This means that my wheel clearance would change and I would have to get smaller tires, or he suggested cutting part of the bumper away (which I don't want to do). IF the joints are that stressed...do you think it's worth taking them out?