They are pretty much right when it comes to what your goals are. if you want to improve ride then replace all the control arm bushings and rear spring bushings. ball joints, tie rods and steering joints, new springs on the front if its a 4x2, but since you said lift then most likely 4x4 unless your doing a dessert runner. maybe on the rear as well if its had a herd life hauling things. I would also check the U bolts on the rear axles. I have seen some that where rusted very thin where the clamp catches dirt. Mine where. I treated them with a rubber compound after painting them.
But if you want to spend the money you have to do your research on what kind of lift. suspension or body. suspension has less complications. this way you will be replacing all of this. but if you are just wanting a couple of inches you can twist the torsion bars over a couple of slots and shackle the rear. replace all the parts mentioned above and you basically have a new truck. The only other way would be going to air ride. then you can adjust the suspension to the situation.
Like we mentioned before its what your goals are and what you can afford.