Relatively speaking, shoes and spring kits are rather inexpensive and a vital part of the "Start/Steer/Stop" approach, to mechanical success.
A well maintained, properly functioning rear drum brake system is adequate for most stopping scecarios. In some cases, there may be some blockage, inhibiting equal line pressure on both rear wheel cylinders, causing them to be out of sync. Make sure the hard/soft lines are free of obstructions, as well as bench-testing the rear wheel cylinders for proper operation.
With the rear wheel cylinders removed from the backing plates, the rubber boots can be removed, exposing the cylinder bore. If the inner caps are moving in & out freely, by way of the inner spring, they should be fine, however it may be necessary to completely disassemble and hit them with a wheel cylinder hone, to ensure there is no friction in the cylinder travel.
A complete visual inspection & routine house-cleaning inside the drums, always goes a long way toward preventive maintenance and gives a bit of "peace-of-mind".
