First Project on the new dart Scarebird Conversion?

Well, looks like I should have looked over the brakes before buying the Dart. Had a reputable shop do an inspection and the news was not good: Shoes/drums/cylinders and a leaking axle seal. I knew the shocks and bushing were bad, which was confirmed, but I can do that stuff as I get to it. My question is, and I know it always comes down to personal preference but here goes. Have the shop do the axle seal and brakes for $1,200 or order parts and do the work myself back to stock or the big question, disc conversion? How much difference in manual disc vs drums? Don't really want to go power and it seems like a light car and well adjusted drums should work fine. Another option would be to have them replace the axle seal as that seems like a bigger PITA and then I can get parts this week and do the work this weekend. I do need to get this thing on the road, safely, as my wife's daily so time is a bit of an issue as well. Thanks for any thoughts, mostly wanted to vent a bit. :banghead: