I just bought a 1988 Toyota pickup. It has leaf springs all around. I want to lift this truck 2" or 3" to fit 33s with some clearance. Which way should i go with lifting this truck  

Blocks really should be avoid when ever possible in rear and all the time in front. They increase spring wrapup under axle torque.  

up front you only have two choices, shackle lift or lift springs NO BLOCKS!!! for the rear if your just looking for a cheap and easy 2-3 inc lift then i would go with the blocks, thiere not the greatest things as they do increase spring wrap but with the litte four banger youve got it shouldn't be too much of a prob. and if it is then put in some trac bars or go with the shackle lift or lift springs  

well I've found a 3" block lift for $35. If I block lift the rear and shackle lift the front, what size should i get. I plan on making the shackles for budget reasons. If I make them what should I make them of?  

i would go with shackles all around, they will atleast give you some performance. i would make them out of 1/4 to 3/8 inch plate steel, then remember to box the center of the shackles together to increase strength.  

Geo450racer:
up front you only have two choices, shackle lift or lift springs NO BLOCKS!!! for the rear if your just looking for a cheap and easy 2-3 inc lift then i would go with the blocks, thiere not the greatest things as they do increase spring wrap but with the litte four banger youve got it shouldn't be too much of a prob. and if it is then put in some trac bars or go with the shackle lift or lift springs

It is not that simple. They will increase spring wrap up a lot for two reasons. First, springs are going to wrap up more even without blocks with bigger tires because it take more average torque to turn them and then blocks amply that effect by increasing the amount of twisting leverage on springs. If you go with blocks and tires, at least add a leaf to each stack in rear to help control this torque.  

Geo450racer:
up front you only have two choices, shackle lift or lift springs NO BLOCKS!!! for the rear if your just looking for a cheap and easy 2-3 inc lift then i would go with the blocks, thiere not the greatest things as they do increase spring wrap but with the litte four banger youve got it shouldn't be too much of a prob. and if it is then put in some trac bars or go with the shackle lift or lift springs

SnoMan:
It is not that simple. They will increase spring wrap up a lot for two reasons. First, springs are going to wrap up more even without blocks with bigger tires because it take more average torque to turn them and then blocks amply that effect by increasing the amount of twisting leverage on springs. If you go with blocks and tires, at least add a leaf to each stack in rear to help control this torque.

exactly, and im sure you guys have seen those blocks edges get rounded out and flop around between the spring and axle and eventually fall out.  

Yes and what happens is these blocks place more stress on U-bolts too and can cause them to stretch and loosen axle mounting and fall out as mentioned above. This in mind it is a good idea to install bigger diameter U-bolts too along with a added spring if you use blocks.  

TJandYOTA1202:
well I've found a 3" block lift for $35. If I block lift the rear and shackle lift the front, what size should i get. I plan on making the shackles for budget reasons. If I make them what should I make them of?

If you have to run blocks, don't go over 2", and get good solid steel ones, not aluminium. And at $35, those aren't good ones.

FWIW I ran 2" blocks on my rock crawling rig for several years, and on 63" Chevys to boot. Axle wrap was minimal, even with the long springs, but then I don't do any jack rabbit starts either, with a worn out 22R and 36" tires.

If you make your own shackles, make them beefy, and remember you get 1" of lift for every 2" longer than stock they are.  

They may not be good ones
but this is a budget build