There are multiple ways to achieve 2" in height for example, but 2" lifted with top spacers is not the same as 2" when you did so via lifting struts. 2-3" top spacers are extending your assemblies 2-3" down overextending your factory CV axels, tie rods, ucas etc. This is part of the reasons you'll be looking for trouble with top spacers. 1/2" top spacers are ok.
Lifting struts do use spring preload to achieve lift. Some of them strut length assemblies mimic the stock length, and others are extended travel (1" longer the factory). the extended travel are still not extending your components in the same way 2-3" top spacers will.
Personally I run a full King 2.5 CO/Shock set front and back valved and tuned for my truck mods with Icon Delta Joint, full Clayton rear control arms,Clayton trackbar and Clayton coil springs etc. I run what some might call the expensive stuff in my truck, and i have ZERO issues telling people to run Rancho or RC quick lift struts and I prefer them over the disassembly of the factory units and having to port springs, top mounts etc over new unassembled struts. 5100 or Eibach or Procomp struts unassembled are cheaper cause you're only paying for strut only. If they offered a version fully assembled the prices will go up a little more. I prefer the simplicity of fully assembled units so that's why i went Rancho myself. I did Rancho QL 9000 XL struts in the front and Rancho 9000 XL shocks in the back (longer version found in the older 2500's just cause i know how to mix and match and i had longer springs to support them
) I ran those for 12k miles and they were set it and forget it. Zero issues and nice/decent street ride. I still have them in my garage for what i wanted them which was to eventually have a backup set of shocks to get me back in the road when my primary suspension is getting serviced and i'll switch them when needed. I do my own suspension wrenching so for me a dampener or a coil spring or control arm is changed or refreshed when i want/need and i get to choose what i run myself.
If you have to ask around you might go crazy at times because we all tend to tell you what we run and what we hate whether we personally run it, or have ran it or not. it's a crazy thing hahahaha. Some really take the concept of hating a product with passion towards Rancho RC or Procomp. wait for it, or simply read other threads and you'll see who. they're always the same people. Damn it it gets on my nerves somebody might even say "i haven't have a single damn issue with (insert Rancho, RC or Procomp)" and somebody will come say "that you aware off yet" hahahaha. Just wait, they can't help themselves....