Artec Industries PG1404 14-Bolt APEX Pinion Guard w/ Bridge APEX Short Truss

Vehicle Fitment

• Universal - Fits all GM 14-Bolt Full-Float Rear Axles equipped with the Artec Industries 14-Bolt APEX Short Truss only

Fitment Notes

• ONLY compatible with the Artec Industries 14-Bolt APEX Short Truss - this guard is NOT interchangeable with any other Artec 14-bolt truss variant (TR1401, TR1402, TR1405, TR1406)
• DO NOT use in a Jeep Wrangler JK or JL 14-bolt swap kit - the APEX pinion guard will contact the gas tank in JK and JL swap applications
• Trimming of the PG1404-3 bridge bracket may be required depending on the chosen pinion angle - test fit before welding
• This is a weld-on fabrication component - the bridge welds directly into the APEX truss and the pinion guard welds to the axle housing; installation should only be performed by a competent welder
• Components are left in natural steel finish and must be painted or powder coated after installation to prevent corrosion
• Due to variances in 14-bolt axle casting over the years, some minor trimming may be necessary during fitment

Features

• Protects the vulnerable 14-bolt axle pinion yoke and surrounding housing from direct rock strikes, ledge impacts, and trail obstacles that can cause catastrophic damage to the ring and pinion gear set
• Pinion guard ring and guard are CNC laser cut from 3/8 in. thick mild steel - engineered to absorb and deflect serious impacts without deforming under the most extreme rock crawling conditions
• Bridge is CNC cut from 3/16 in. thick mild steel and welds directly into the APEX truss body - creating a fully integrated, rigid connection between the guard and the truss structure
• APEX-specific bridge design integrates flush with the APEX truss's peaked profile, maintaining the APEX truss's low-profile geometry and structural integrity
• Keyed sub-component assembly (PG1404-1 plate keys into PG1404-2) ensures precise, repeatable fitment and alignment before final welding
• 4x HW0058 grade hardware bolts included for bridge-to-guard attachment - no need to source hardware separately
• CNC laser cut precision components minimize excess grinding and shaping during installation
• Made in the USA by Artec Industries - designed as the recommended companion guard for the 14-Bolt APEX Short Truss in APEX 1-ton swap builds

Specifications

• Pinion Guard Ring and Guard Material: CNC laser cut 3/8 in. thick mild steel
• Bridge Material: CNC cut 3/16 in. thick mild steel
• Hardware: 4x HW0058 bolts included
• Truss Compatibility: Artec Industries 14-Bolt APEX Short Truss ONLY
• Bridge Installation Method: Welds directly into the APEX truss body
• Finish: Natural steel - painting or powder coating required after installation
• Axle Compatibility: GM 14-Bolt Full-Float Rear Axle
• Sub-Components: PG1404-1 (bolt plate), PG1404-2 (guard ring), PG1404-3 (bridge bracket)
• Country of Origin: USA

Included Components

• 1x CNC laser cut 3/8 in. mild steel pinion guard ring (PG1404-2)
• 1x CNC laser cut 3/8 in. mild steel pinion guard bolt plate (PG1404-1)
• 1x CNC cut 3/16 in. mild steel APEX truss bridge bracket (PG1404-3)
• 4x HW0058 mounting bolts

Product Description

The Artec Industries PG1404 is the dedicated APEX Pinion Guard with Bridge for the 14-Bolt APEX Short Truss - the next-generation truss system at the heart of Artec's APEX 1-ton swap kits for Jeep Wrangler JK, JL, and Gladiator JT. Unlike the standard PG1402 and PG1403 guards which pair with Artec's conventional modular trusses, the PG1404 is engineered exclusively to integrate with the APEX truss's unique peaked profile. The bridge is CNC cut from 3/16 in. mild steel and welds directly into the APEX truss body rather than bolting on as a separate bridging piece - creating a fully rigid, structurally integrated connection that matches the APEX truss's design philosophy of eliminating long weld seams and excess assembly steps. The pinion guard ring and guard plate are CNC laser cut from 3/8 in. thick mild steel, providing maximum protection against the rock strikes and ledge impacts that can instantly destroy a ring and pinion gear set on extreme terrain.

Assembly is guided by Artec's keyed sub-component system: the PG1404-1 bolt plate slides into keyways on the PG1404-2 guard ring and is tack welded in place, the PG1404-3 bridge bracket is then bolted onto the guard assembly using the four included HW0058 hardware bolts, and the complete assembly is test-fit to the axle before final welding. Depending on the chosen pinion angle, trimming of the PG1404-3 bracket may be required - Artec recommends marking and trimming before final welds are laid. All bare steel surfaces must be painted or powder coated after installation to prevent corrosion.

It is critical to note that the PG1404 is NOT compatible with any standard Artec 14-bolt modular truss variants and must NOT be used in JK or JL swap kit applications - in those builds, the APEX pinion guard will contact the gas tank. This guard is exclusively for GM 14-bolt full-float axle builds using the APEX Short Truss in non-JK/JL configurations such as custom chassis, YJ, TJ, or standalone 14-bolt builds. All components are made in the USA by Artec Industries and require welding and fabrication skills for installation.