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SKU: JL6503

APEX Front Dana 60 Differential Top Cap 1985-1997 (1-Ton Swap)

$76.99

Confirmed fit: Jeep Gladiator
Verified to fit the Jeep Gladiator.

This Artec Industries APEX differential top cap welds onto the casting of a 1985-1997 kingpin or balljoint Dana 60 front axle, creating the mounting surface for the driver-side upper control arm bracket in a 1-ton front swap. Part of Artec's patent-pending APEX truss family, its peaked profile is stiffer than a flat-top plate and follows the contour of the cast-steel differential, so it drops on ready to weld with no puzzle-piece assembly. If you are building a junkyard Dana 60 for a 3-link front end, this is the piece that turns the diff casting into a proper link mount.

Features

  • Patent-pending APEX peaked-top design adds rigidity over a flat-top plate
  • CNC laser cut in-house from 1/4" mild steel
  • CNC precision bent to drop onto the axle casting ready to weld
  • Creates the mounting surface for the driver-side upper control arm bracket
  • Accepts both bushing-style and Johnny Joint upper control arm mounts
  • Roughly 70% less welding than earlier truss designs, so less heat warp
  • Designed from Ford and Jeep 3D models for accurate fit and clearance

Fits kingpin and balljoint Dana 60 front axles from 1985-1997 — verify your casting year before ordering, and note this is bare steel that needs paint after welding. It is the diff-side companion to the APEX Front Kingpin/Balljoint 60 Swap Kit; running a 1999-2004 Super Duty axle instead, grab the SD differential top cap. Find the rest of the hardware in our complete axle sets collection.

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Specifications

  • Material: 1/4" mild steel
  • Construction: CNC laser cut and CNC bent in-house
  • Design: Patent-pending APEX peaked top
  • Axle fitment: Kingpin/balljoint Dana 60 front, 1985-1997
  • Function: Mounting surface for driver-side upper control arm bracket
  • UCA compatibility: Bushing or Johnny Joint style mounts
  • Install: Weld-on; bare steel, paint after welding

APEX Front Dana 60 Differential Top Cap 1985-1997 (1-Ton Swap) FAQs

Which axle does this top cap fit?

It fits front Dana 60 axles from 1985-1997, covering both kingpin and balljoint castings. Verify your differential casting year before ordering — Artec makes a separate APEX top cap for the 1999-2004 Ford Super Duty Dana 60.

What does a differential top cap actually do?

It welds to the top of the Dana 60 differential casting and creates a strong, contoured mounting surface for the driver-side upper control arm bracket. In a 1-ton front swap with a 3-link setup, it is the foundation the upper link mounts to, and it accepts either bushing-style or Johnny Joint hardware.

How involved is the welding?

It is a weld-on part, but the APEX design is CNC bent to drop onto the casting with no multi-plate assembly, and the pre-bent seams mean roughly 70% less welding than older flat truss designs. A competent welder should handle the install, and the bare steel needs paint when finished.

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