stay 3/4 or change to 1/2

[gikken20]

I keep finding tons of suspension and brake parts for 1/2 tons but not a whole lot for 3/4 tons. I have a 68 GMC 2wd lwb 3/4T and when I get back from deployment I need to redo the brakes and eventually the suspension, I really would like to keep it 8 lug but I cant afford $2000 just for disc brakes. Even getting new drums is gonna be a little costly, ive found drums anywhere from $30-$90 each. So on to my ?'s

does anybody know a cheaper alternative to go 8 lug disc?

would it just be easier to change over to 5 lug?

what does switching over to 5 lug consist of?

for the rear axle can I just use a newer axle that already has discs on it or are the widths different?

Thanks, Jake