The Wide Open Design Universal Rear Axle Truss is engineered to reinforce rear axle housings subjected to extreme horsepower, oversized tires, and punishing off-road terrain. Manufactured from heavy-duty 1/4" cold rolled steel, this universal truss significantly increases axle housing rigidity while helping reduce tube flex during rock crawling, Ultra4 racing, mud racing, trail riding, and high-performance street applications. Designed to fit a wide range of popular rear axle housings—including Dana 44, Dana 60, Dana 70, Dana 80, and GM 14-Bolt axles—the precision-cut profile provides excellent weld contact for a strong, durable installation. Whether you're building a custom axle from scratch or reinforcing an existing housing, this Made-in-USA truss is an ideal foundation for demanding off-road builds. Includes: (1) Wide Open Design Universal Rear Axle Truss Specifications Specification Details Manufacturer Wide Open Design Application Universal Rear Axle Truss Material 1/4" Cold Rolled Steel Length 34.125" Height 7.50" Depth 2.50" Design Precision-cut and contoured for maximum weld contact Installation Weld-On Finish Raw Steel Country of Origin Made in USA Fitment Universal Rear Axle Fitment Dana 44 Rear Axles Dana 60 Rear Axles Dana 70 Rear Axles Dana 80 Rear Axles GM 14-Bolt Rear Axles Custom Fabricated Rear Axle Housings Fitment Notes Designed for universal rear axle applications. Welding and final fitting are required. May require trimming depending on axle housing design and suspension brackets. Ideal for rock crawlers, Ultra4 cars, race trucks, trail rigs, and custom fabrication projects. Compatible with additional axle reinforcement components such as pinion guards and axle tube gussets. FAQ Why install an axle truss? Large tires, high horsepower, lockers, and aggressive off-road driving place tremendous stress on axle housings. A properly designed truss helps reduce axle tube flex, minimizes housing deflection, and maintains more consistent ring-and-pinion alignment under load. What is axle "smiling"? "Smiling" describes the permanent upward bending of axle tubes caused by repeated high-torque loads and hard impacts. Once an axle housing bends, gear setup, bearing preload, and axle shaft alignment can all be affected. A heavy-duty truss helps resist this type of deformation. Why is a truss important on a GM 14-Bolt? Although the GM 14-Bolt is one of the strongest production rear axles available, extreme rock crawling and competition use can still cause axle tube movement where the tubes are pressed and plug-welded into the center section. Pairing this truss with a pinion guard and housing tie-ins helps create a rigid boxed structure that better distributes suspension and drivetrain loads. Can this truss be modified for custom applications? Yes. Because it is supplied as a weld-on universal truss, builders can trim or notch the truss as needed to clear suspension brackets, link mounts, shock mounts, or custom chassis components while maintaining excellent reinforcement.
