I'm in the middle of this swap and found that the easiset way is to find a later model AD rearend. The Bendix brakes were first used on 53 and later I believe. I have a 54 I bought from Banter's salvage yard in Hudson Florida. Unfortunately I didn't know there is also a standard transmission rearend and an automatic made for the 54 year and guess what. I ended up with the one for an automatic and the torque tube is several inches shorter than one for a standard trans. I'll be changing over my 49 T-tube and carrier and using the 54 banjo housing with the bendix brake backing plates.

Still trying to get ole Betsy back on the road.