Accuride’s Fabco division says its new FSD-23 low-profile steerable drive axle offers lighter weight and lower height for heavy-duty all wheel-drive vehicles. Made in the U.S., it’s a domestic alternative to the imported, planetary hub-reduction axles usually used to improve engine-to-axle clearance and minimize chassis height.

The axle — available in 18,000-to-23,000-lb ratings — will help truck makers maintain a low cab height in vehicles with larger engines that normally make installation of front drive axles more difficult, the company says. The low-profile design is said to utilize a high torque capacity and compact single-reduction differential assembly to reduce the axle profile compared to previous Fabco and competitor axles.

The FSD-23 is the 4th generation 18,000-23,000-lb product from Fabco, retaining the wheel-end assembly from the previous Fabco SDA series but weighing 100 lb less.

The axle offers a broad range of ratios, optional driver-controlled diff locks, and ordinary North American S-cam brakes with Gunite automatic slack adjusters.