DESCRIPTION
1 TON - APEX Front Kingpin/Balljoin 60 Swap Kit for JK, JL, and JT
All the brackets necessary for the front Kingpin (1985-1991.5) or Balljoint 60 (1992-1997) axle
swap into a Jeep JK Wrangler ('07-'18), JL Wrangler (2018+) or JT Gladiator (2020+)
Stronger Design, Lighter Weight, Easier Install
-Single Adjustable Truss Upper Link Mount for use with 2.63" wide joints in a 3-link style suspension. DOES NOT include DIFFERENTIAL TOP CAP
-Daystar Bushings in Factory location. Includes DIFFERENTIAL TOP CAP
-RockJock Johnny Joints in Factory Location. Includes DIFFERENTIAL TOP CAP

IMPORTANT NOTES: The Front 60 that works with this kit is from Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks from model years 1985-1991.5 (kingpin) and 1992-1997 (balljoint). This truss is not intended for newer axles due to different differential offsets, axle tube sizes and differential contours. Trimming of the factory differential casting may be necessary (see instructions). Other fabrication and modifications may be needed due to variances in lift kits and other factors. Removal of passenger side leaf spring perch is necessary. Due to the larger casting on the 60 differential, the Lower Control Arm (LCA) brackets are wider than factory location (41.5" Center to Center). Modifications to your Lower Control Arms will likely be necessary. If you have adjustable arms with flexible style joints (heims, Johnny Joints, etc), modifications may not be necessary. Upper Control Arm (UCA) brackets are also slightly higher than factory so adjustable arms may be necessary. The shock mounts are also slightly higher (1.25") than stock to clear the lower control arms. NOTE: This kit does not include any parts for ABS sensors. It is only a bracket kit. Hooking up and configuring these sensors is the responsibility of the end user. 60 axles DO NOT MATCH the factory JK 5 lug wheel bolt pattern. New wheels will need to be purchased to do this swap. Brake and Steering components NOT INCLUDED in this product, but will be available soon. This will likely require bumpstop extensions and a new trackbar since the steering is different on this axle from factory axle. The trackbar bracket is higher than stock location to allow proper steering geometry. Minor modifications to the ends of the truss that contact the inner C may be necssary for balljoint axles 1992-97. |
Features include:
|
** In rare and extreme cases, the truss may come into contact with oil pan. Prior to operating the vehicle, remove the coil springs, cycle the suspension including full compression of both sides simultaneously and add bumpstop extensions to prevent damage to oil pan.
REVIEWS
Instructions
Click image above to view Installation Instructions
Warning: Installing this product requires Welding and Fabrication skills, If you are not confident in your abilities to complete this task please have this installed at an qualified off-road shop .
While we're working on the detailed instructions, here's some tips on installing your APEX 1ton swap truss. Refer to online pictures for orientation of the truss.
Step 1.
Inventory all parts to ensure you have all of the correct pieces. If you are missing parts or the package is damaged Contact Artec Industries Immediately at (855) 278-3299 M-F 8:30-5pm MST If outside of those hours Email us at Sales@Artecindustries.com (Please include picture of part number label on box as well as your invoice number Also keep the box and take pictures of the box per shipping carrier for a damage claim otherwise it could be denied )
STEP 2.
Remove OEM bracketry from axle. Take care not to grind into the axle tube. Remove rust or paint on top of casting and axle tubes using a flap disc or wire wheel. Remove factory breather hose and barbed fitting from casting. Super duty axle swap kits require some trimming of the factory casting in order to mount all the required components on the driver side axle tube. once the trimming of the axle tube is completed Weld the driver side axle tube to the newly cut back casting.
( For Super duty Axles Please see Step 2A for reference in this link of what needs to be removed from the casting which will be highlighted in blue : https://www.artecindustries.com/assets/images/Company/documents/JK6010-install.pdf )
Step 3.
Once The axle is clean of all factory bracketry Insert the JL6531-18 & 19 Gussets into the Keyed slots on JL6531-1 (the -19 Part will go closest to the end) Now Place the Jl6550-1 Onto the Long tube of the axle and slide over until the edges make contact with the diff housing. This will clock the truss into position so the Upper control arms will be set into their proper position when they are added to the truss in later steps.
Step 4.
Slip the Jl6531-4 onto the Jl6531-2 the edges of the coil bucket will slip into the slot . then place on the Passenger side Axle tube between the truss and the C for the knuckle making sure all of the edges are inline and flush
(You can rotate the Spring bucket forward and back if you want to adjust for more or less pinion angle for your build)
Step 5.
Place JL6531-3 between the casting and C for knuckle on the driver side tube then set Jl6531-5 onto Jl6531-3 the Relief cut will face the front of the Jeep that is for it to clear the track bar on the frame side
(If you need to rotate for pinion angle you can grind down the 2 fins that sit ontop of the casting on JL6531-3)
Step 6.
Place Jl6531-6 on top of JL6531-4 the tab will Jig into a hole then set Jl6531-8 on top of Jl6531-6 Repeat this step on the driver side with Part numbers JL6531-7 &Jl6531-9 Tack well all of the brackets and truss pieces into place.
Step 7.
Slip JL6531-10 under JL6531-4 the tab will sit into the hole and tack into place Repeat this step on the driver side with JL6531-5 & JL6531-11
Step 8.
Slip JL6531-17 into JL6531-16 then Roll up onto the axle there is a key way on the -16 bracket that will slip onto the JL6531-4 to locate it on the axle once it is in position tack weld into place
(JL/JT Jeeps will want the track bar bracket as far to the outside of the axle as the bracket will allow JK's will have the bracket slid over towards the center some But if you have an Adjustable track bar that will allow the additional length you can use the JL/LT placement for a longer track bar)
Step 9.
Place Jl6531-15 on the back side of the axle the tall wing will slip into a tab under JL6531-2 closest to the C ,Tack weld into position. Repeat on the Driver side with JL6531-14 and JL6531-5 Then Place JL6531-12 into the 2 remaining slots on the backside of the coil mount and tack into position Complete this step with doing the same for the driver side with JL6531-13
Step 10.
Place the Passenger side Upper control arm mount on top of the Jl6531-1 it will Jig into place then tack weld into position.
Step 11.
Fully weld all of the components together . Be sure to move around on the truss so you do not work in the same area to decrease the chances of warping the axle .
( Steps 12-14 are for the 4 link Truss Options only ! For 3link Options Continue to Step 15 )
Step 12:
Place the JL6501 top cap on top of the differential to make sure the cap sits flat between the driver side spring perch and side of the Jl6531-1 truss, You will use the rear hole on the top cap and center the port for the breather . Using a marker mark areas on the housing where the Top cap may contact (some axles have a little finger on the top of the diff that needs to be ground flush and some have a little lip on the pinion side of the casting that needs to be shaved down . Once you have the top cap sitting level on the Truss and coil mount tack weld into position .
Step 13.
Assemble the Upper link mount and insert it into the Tabs on the top cap and tack weld into position.
Step 14.
Finish welding the top cap onto the Housing, Truss , and coil buckets followed by the upper control arm mounts.
Step 15.
Wrap in a welding blanket to cool slowly overnight.
Step 16:
Paint or Powder coat the bare surfaces.