UD80 APEX REAR AXLE TRUSS

The UD80 APEX Rear Axle Truss is Artec Industries' bracketless reinforcement for the Ultimate Dana 80 crate rear axle — the housing of choice for serious 1-ton Jeep swaps. Cut from 1/4" mild steel and folded with Artec's patented APEX peaked top, it ties the housing together end to end to resist the flex and bending that big tires and hard landings force on a wide axle, all while weighing just 17 lbs.

Key Features

• 1/4" CNC laser-cut mild steel with a patented APEX peaked top for far greater rigidity than a flat truss
• Only 17 lbs, with dimpled lightening holes that cut weight while adding strength
• Bent long seams mean about 70% less welding than a traditional multi-piece truss — less heat, less warping
• Two-piece modular design for easier shipping and installation
• Low-profile geometry optimizes upper link-joint mounting directly over the differential
• Works as a foundation for a link suspension or over a leaf-spring setup
• Designed from Dana/Spicer and OEM 3D data for a true drop-on fit; made in the USA

Fitment & Compatibility

Designed specifically for the Ultimate Dana 80 Bracketless Crate rear axle from Dana/Spicer, the housing commonly run in 1-ton rear swaps on the Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT. It is the reinforcement backbone for a link build and pairs directly with Artec's UD80 rear axle swap kits. This is a weld-on component; the bent-seam design keeps required welding to a minimum.

Specifications

What's in the Box

• Two-piece UD80 APEX rear axle truss (TR6982)
• PDF installation instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

What axle does this truss fit?
The Ultimate Dana 80 bracketless crate rear axle from Dana/Spicer, most often used in 1-ton rear swaps under the Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT.

How much does it weigh?
17 lbs. Dimpled lightening holes keep it light while the peaked top adds rigidity.

Does it require welding?
Yes, it welds to the axle housing, but the bent long seams cut welding by roughly 70% versus a traditional truss, which reduces heat and warping.

What is the "APEX" peaked top?
It is Artec's patented raised-center profile that adds structural rigidity compared with a flat truss, and its low profile leaves room to mount upper link joints over the differential.

Do I need the full swap kit too?
If you are building a 1-ton rear under a JL or JT, this truss is included in the "& Truss" versions of Artec's JL UD80 swap kit and JT UD80 swap kit.