Billet Mounting Plate, for 1 T Tube, Each

OVERVIEW

When you are building a high-performance sand rail, Baja Bug, or a custom street Beetle, the challenge of mounting accessories securely without cluttering your chassis is always a top priority. The EMPI Billet Mounting Plate for 1-inch tubing is the professional answer to the messy look of hose clamps or the permanence of welded tabs. Crafted from high-grade billet aluminum and CNC-machined to exacting tolerances, this mounting plate provides a rock-solid, flat surface to bolt on essential gear such as GPS units, ignition coils, shift lights, or even fire extinguisher brackets. Because it features a two-piece clamp design, you can install it anywhere along your roll cage or dash bar without having to disassemble your entire interior or strip back your expensive powder coating.

Beyond its sheer utility, this billet mounting plate adds a level of "show-quality" finish that sets your air-cooled project apart from the rest of the pack. The sleek, polished aluminum finish resists corrosion and stands up to the harsh environments of the desert or the humidity of coastal cruises. Measuring 4-7/16 inches in length, it offers ample surface area for custom drilling to match specific bolt patterns for aftermarket electronics or mechanical components. Whether you are prepping a Chenowth frame for the dunes or finishing the cockpit of a vintage-style Manx buggy, this EMPI component ensures your accessories stay exactly where you put them, even when the terrain gets brutal and the vibrations are at their peak.

FITMENT

This mounting plate is designed for universal application on any vehicle utilizing 1-inch (O.D.) tubing. Common fitments include:

• Volkswagen Beetle: Custom roll cages and interior dash bars using 1-inch tubing.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: Perfect for Chenowth, Berrien, and custom tube-frame buggies.
• Baja Bugs: External exo-cages and interior structural supports.
• VW Bus/Transporter: Custom camper interior racking and overhead storage bars.
• Karmann Ghia: Specialized racing cages and stiffening bars.
• Off-Road Vehicles: Any UTV or custom project with 1-inch O.D. structural tubing.

SPECS

• Part Number: 17-2912-0
• Material: CNC-Machined Billet Aluminum
• Clamp Diameter: 1.00 Inch (O.D. Tube Fitment)
• Overall Length: 4-7/16 Inches
• Overall Height: 2-3/8 Inches
• Overall Width: 2-1/2 Inches
• Mounting Surface: Flat, smooth billet face for custom drilling
• Hardware: Includes high-tensile stainless steel socket head cap screws
• Finish: Polished Billet Aluminum

PRO TIPS

1. Protect Your Powder Coat

If you are mounting this billet plate to a freshly powder-coated roll cage, I highly recommend placing a single wrap of thin electrical tape or a small strip of rubber inner tube around the 1-inch bar before clamping. This does two things: it prevents the aluminum from marring or scratching your expensive finish and provides an extra layer of "grip" to ensure the plate doesn''t rotate if you are mounting a heavy accessory like a large fire extinguisher or a heavy-duty ignition coil. Just make sure the tape is trimmed cleanly so it doesn''t stick out from the edges of the clamp for that professional, seamless look.

2. Vibration Management for Electronics

When using this plate to mount sensitive electronics like a GPS or a digital dash display, remember that air-cooled engines and off-road tires create significant high-frequency harmonics. I always suggest using small rubber grommets or "well-nuts" between your accessory and the flat billet surface. By isolating the device from the rigid aluminum plate, you will significantly extend the life of your electronics and prevent screen flicker or internal solder joints from failing due to the constant jarring of off-road use.

3. Use Thread Locker for Security

Vibration is the enemy of any bolt-on accessory. Even though the EMPI kit comes with high-quality hardware, the constant heat cycles and chassis flex of a VW can cause bolts to back out over time. Before final assembly, apply a small drop of medium-strength (blue) thread-locking compound to the socket head cap screws. This ensures that your mounting plate stays tight during a long weekend at the Glamis dunes or a cross-country trek, but still allows you to remove the plate with standard hand tools if you ever need to relocate your accessories.