The Sterling Rear Apex Short Truss is a weld-on reinforcement for the Sterling 10.5 rear axle out of Ford Super Duty trucks, one of the most popular one-ton rears for JK, JL, and JT swaps. Thirteen pounds of 3/16" steel stiffen the housing against bending, while the low, flat deck lands upper link joints right over the differential where the geometry works. It is the piece to buy when you are laying out your own bracket locations rather than running a complete swap-bracket kit.
Features
- CNC laser cut from 3/16" mild steel and precision bent for drop-on fitment
- Patented Apex peaked top adds rigidity over flat-plate trusses
- Dimpled holes trim weight while stiffening the panels
- Flat mounting deck of roughly 9.5" x 4" gives a clean landing for your brackets
- Low profile sets up ideal upper-link mounting over the diff
- 13 lb total keeps unsprung weight in check
- Two-piece construction ships compact and is easier to position on the housing
Verify your Super Duty axle is the 10.5 before ordering — the older Sterling 10.25 uses the Sterling 10.25 Rear MODULAR Truss instead. The truss ships as bare steel, so clean off the machining oils, weld it out, then paint or powder coat; installation calls for real welding skill, with the housing heated to roughly 400 degrees, passes alternated side to side, and the axle wrapped in a welding blanket overnight to cool slowly. Matching up the other end of a swap? See the 14 bolt Rear Apex Short Truss and 9 inch Rear Apex Short Truss, plus the rest of our axle reinforcements.
Sterling 10.5 Rear Apex Short Truss FAQs
Which axle does this truss fit?
It is cut to match the Sterling 10.5 rear axle found under Ford Super Duty trucks, a common choice for JK, JL, and JT one-ton swaps. Confirm you have the 10.5 and not the older Sterling 10.25 — the 10.25 housing takes Artec's modular truss instead. The truss itself is axle-specific, so it works no matter what vehicle the housing ends up under.
How do I weld it on without warping the axle?
Artec's procedure is to heat the housing to roughly 400 degrees, alternate weld passes from side to side, and then wrap the axle in a welding blanket overnight so it cools slowly. Only competent welders should take on the job. The two-piece truss is precision bent to sit flat on the housing, which keeps gaps small and heat input reasonable.
Should I buy this truss or a complete swap kit?
Buy the short truss if you want the housing stiffened and a proper base for upper link joints while placing every other bracket yourself. Artec's complete Sterling truss swap kits locate spring perches and brackets for specific Jeep platforms, so they suit builders who want the layout done for them. The short truss is the flexible option for custom link setups and between-the-leaf-springs installs.
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