Body Tab, 7/16 Hole, .060 Thick

OVERVIEW

When you''re deep in the middle of a custom air-cooled build, whether it''s a rugged Baja Bug, a high-performance sand rail, or a ground-up restoration of a classic Beetle, the quality of your fabrication components is what determines the longevity of your project. The A&A Manufacturing Body Tab (FAB-3060) is a professional-grade solution designed for enthusiasts who demand precision and durability. Crafted from high-quality mild steel, this .060-thick tab provides the perfect balance of weight savings and structural rigidity. It is specifically engineered to handle the vibrations and stresses of off-road environments, ensuring that your body panels, interior tins, or accessory mounts stay exactly where you put them, even when the terrain gets unforgiving.

What sets this specific body tab apart is its specialized 7/16-inch hole, which is perfectly sized to accommodate a standard U-shape speed nut (specifically designed for 1/4-20 bolts). This makes it an indispensable tool for builders who need removable panels. By welding these tabs onto your chassis or roll cage, you create a modular mounting system that allows for quick removal of bodywork for maintenance or cleaning. Because it is made from weldable mild steel, it takes a bead beautifully with MIG or TIG processes, providing a clean, professional finish that looks as good as it performs. Don''t settle for flimsy, hardware-store brackets when you can use the same components trusted by professional race car builders and off-road fabricators across the globe.

FITMENT

This fabrication tab is a universal weld-on component, making it compatible with a wide range of air-cooled Volkswagen models and custom tube-frame chassis. While it can be used on virtually any vehicle, it is most commonly utilized on the following:

• Volkswagen Beetle (All Years): Ideal for mounting custom fenders, interior kick panels, and dash assemblies.
• Volkswagen Baja Bug: Essential for securing fiberglass body kits and engine cages.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: Perfect for mounting aluminum floor pans, side panels, and roof skins to 1-1/2 or 1-3/4 inch tubing.
• Meyers Manx & Fiberglass Buggies: Used to create secure mounting points on the subframe for the body tub.
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): Excellent for replacing rusted or damaged factory body mounts.
• Karmann Ghia: Useful for custom interior fabrication and hidden bracketry.
• Universal Off-Road Applications: Fits any project requiring a 1/4-20 U-nut mounting solution.

SPECS

Every fabrication project requires exact measurements. Here are the technical specifications for the FAB-3060 body tab:

• Manufacturer: A&A Manufacturing
• Part Number: FAB-3060
• Material: Cold-Rolled Mild Steel
• Thickness: .060 Inches (Approx. 16-Gauge)
• Hole Diameter: 7/16 Inch (Optimized for U-nuts)
• Fastener Compatibility: Designed for 1/4-20 U-shaped speed nuts
• Mounting Type: Weld-on (MIG or TIG recommended)
• Finish: Raw Steel (Requires painting or plating after welding to prevent corrosion)
• Quantity: Sold Individually

PRO TIPS

1. Proper Surface Preparation is Paramount

Since these tabs are made from raw mild steel, they often come with a light coat of mill scale or oil to prevent flash rusting during shipping. Before you strike an arc, use a flap disc or a wire wheel to clean the tab down to shiny metal. Do the same for the mounting surface on your chassis. Ensuring a clean metal-to-metal contact will prevent porosity in your welds and ensure that the tab doesn''t snap off when you''re bouncing through the whoops in the desert. If you''re TIG welding, a quick wipe down with acetone after grinding will yield the cleanest results.

2. Choosing the Right Hardware

The 7/16-inch hole is specifically sized for a "U-nut" or "Extruded U-nut." When selecting your nuts, make sure they are rated for the .060 thickness of this tab. If the nut is too loose, it will rattle and eventually fatigue the metal. If it''s too tight, you risk stripping the threads when installing your 1/4-20 bolts. We recommend using stainless steel 1/4-20 button head Allen bolts with these tabs for a sleek, low-profile look that won''t snag on your gear or clothing inside the cockpit.

3. Thermal Management During Welding

Because these tabs are .060 thick, they can warp if you hit them with too much heat all at once. When welding these to a thicker chassis tube, aim your arc slightly more towards the thicker material and "wash" the puddle onto the tab. It is often better to use two or three short "stitch" welds rather than one continuous bead across the entire edge. This prevents the tab from curling and ensures that your body panels will line up perfectly once the metal cools. Always test-fit your panels with the U-nuts installed before final paint to ensure everything is square.