1-Ton UD80 APEX Rear Axle Swap Kit & Truss for Jeep Wrangler JL 2018+
Artec Industries' JL 1-Ton UD80 APEX Rear Axle Swap Kit & Truss turns a bare Ultimate Dana 80 bracketless crate housing into a finished rear axle for the Jeep Wrangler JL. The package bundles the patented APEX peaked-top truss with the complete suspension bracket set — coil brackets, bump-stop pads, control-arm mounts, and shock mounts — all CNC cut from 1/4" and 3/16" mild steel and positioned from factory data. Because every bracket lands at the JL's stock link, coil, sway-bar, and shock pickup points, the 1-ton housing replaces the factory M220 without reinventing the suspension. It is built for JL owners running tire sizes the stock rear axle was never meant to carry.
Features
- 1/4" and 3/16" mild steel, CNC laser cut and formed for precise fit-up
- Patented APEX peaked-top truss included for end-to-end rigidity on the wide housing
- Secondary 3/16" truss plate simplifies link-mount alignment during assembly
- Full bracket package: coil brackets, bump-stop pads, lower and upper control-arm mounts, shock mounts
- Locates to the JL's factory link, spring, anti-sway bar, and shock positions
- Roughly 70% less welding than a conventional bracket-at-a-time swap
- Made in the USA (SKU JL6982)
Fits the Jeep Wrangler JL (2018 and up); the Ultimate Dana 80 crate axle itself is sourced separately. All components weld on, so leave the install to a capable fabricator who can set pinion angle and axle centering. Gladiator owners want the JT version of this kit, builders who already own the truss can order the JL kit without the truss, and the UD80 APEX Rear Axle Truss sells on its own. Browse the full axle swap kit collection for other housings.
1-Ton UD80 APEX Rear Axle Swap Kit & Truss for Jeep Wrangler JL 2018+ FAQs
What do I still need to buy to do this swap?
The Ultimate Dana 80 bracketless crate rear axle itself, which Dana sells as a bare housing with no suspension mounts. This kit provides the APEX truss and the complete bracket set that welds to it. Beyond that, plan for gear setup, brake line adaptation, and a driveshaft check for your build.
Does the swap change my JL's suspension geometry?
No. Every bracket in the kit is located to the factory link, coil spring, anti-sway bar, and shock positions, so the UD80 drops into the stock geometry and your suspension components bolt back in. Lifted Jeeps keep their existing lift geometry as well.
Is welding required, and how much?
Yes — the truss and all brackets weld to the housing, so a competent welder should run the install. The APEX peaked-top design with pre-bent seams needs roughly 70% less welding than a traditional swap, which shortens the job and keeps warping in check.
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