Trick Tab, 1/2 Hole

OVERVIEW

When you are deep into a custom build, whether it is a rugged Baja Bug, a high-flying sand rail, or a precision-engineered street machine, the difference between a professional finish and a backyard hack job often comes down to the quality of your fabrication components. The EMPI Trick Tab (FAB-3039) is a master-class solution for builders who refuse to compromise on strength or style. These tabs are not just simple pieces of flat stock; they feature a specialized "trick" design with a scalloped profile that provides exceptional structural support while shedding unnecessary weight. Fabricated from high-quality mild steel, these tabs are designed to handle the high-stress environments of off-road racing and heavy-duty suspension mounting, ensuring that your chassis remains rigid and your components stay exactly where you bolted them. By using these pre-cut, precision-stamped tabs, you save countless hours of tedious grinding and drilling, allowing you to focus on the geometry and integrity of your air-cooled VW project.

The versatility of the 1/2-inch hole diameter makes this specific Trick Tab an essential item in any fabricator''s arsenal. This size is industry-standard for a wide variety of heavy-duty applications, including mounting suspension limit straps, securing seat belt harnesses, attaching custom light bars, or even creating robust mounting points for skid plates and fuel cells. Because these are made from raw mild steel, they offer superior weldability, allowing for deep penetration and a clean bead whether you are using MIG or TIG welding processes. At Appletree Automotive, we understand that every weld counts when you are out in the dunes or navigating a rocky trail. That is why we stock these EMPI tabsto provide you with a component that looks as good as it performs, giving your chassis that high-end, "pro-built" appearance that stands out in the pits and survives the harshest environments on earth.

FITMENT

This is a universal fabrication component commonly used on the following air-cooled VW and off-road vehicles:

• VW Beetle (Standard & Super): Perfect for Baja conversions and custom roll cages.
• VW Karmann Ghia: Ideal for custom interior bracing and accessory mounting.
• VW Bus (Type 2): Used for custom roof rack mounts and heavy-duty bumper fabrication.
• VW Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): Great for custom suspension modifications.
• VW Thing (Type 181): Excellent for reinforcement and off-road accessory tabs.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: The gold standard for chassis tabs and component mounting.
• Meyer''s Manx & Kit Cars: Essential for securing body mounts and electrical panels.

SPECS

The technical specifications for the FAB-3039 Trick Tab are as follows:

• Brand: EMPI
• Part Number: FAB-3039
• Material: High-Quality Mild Steel
• Hole Diameter: 1/2 Inch (0.500")
• Thickness: 1/8 Inch (0.125")
• Design Style: Scalloped "Trick" Tab for weight reduction and aesthetics.
• Finish: Raw Steel (requires painting or plating after welding).
• Quantity: Sold Individually.
• Application: Weld-on fabrication.

PRO TIPS

1. Perfect Alignment with the "Bolt-and-Spacer" Method

When you are welding these tabs in pairssuch as for a shock mount or a suspension pivotalignment is critical to prevent binding. Always bolt the two tabs together with a spacer or the actual component you are mounting before you start welding. This ensures that the 1/2-inch holes remain perfectly concentric and that the tabs don''t "pull" or warp during the cooling process. If you weld them one at a time without a jig or a bolt, you will likely find that the bolt won''t slide through easily once the metal has finished moving from the heat.

2. Proper Surface Preparation for Structural Integrity

Since these tabs are made of raw mild steel, they often come with a thin film of shipping oil or a light layer of mill scale to prevent flash rusting. Before you even think about striking an arc, you must clean the welding surface and the tab itself with a flap disc or a wire wheel until the steel is bright and shiny. Any contamination in the weld pool can lead to porosity or a brittle joint, which is a recipe for disaster on a structural component. For the cleanest results, a quick wipe-down with acetone after grinding will ensure your weld is as strong as the steel itself.

3. Managing Heat Soak and Finish Work

Because these tabs are 1/8-inch thick, they can hold a significant amount of heat. If you are welding them to thin-wall tubing, be careful not to blow through the tubing while trying to get proper penetration on the tab. We recommend "tacking" the tab in four corners first, checking your alignment one last time, and then finishing the weld in short sections. Once the fabrication is complete, don''t leave the steel raw. Mild steel will begin to oxidize almost immediately. Whether you choose powder coating, chassis paint, or zinc plating, ensure you cover the entire tab to prevent rust from compromising your hard work.