Tab, 1 1/2 Radius, 3/4 Hole, 3/16 Inch Thick

OVERVIEW

When you are deep into a custom chassis build or reinforcing a rugged off-road suspension, the quality of your fabrication components can make or break the project. This A&A Manufacturing radius tab is engineered specifically for the serious builder who demands precision and structural integrity. Die-stamped from high-quality mild steel, these tabs eliminate the frustrating and time-consuming process of hand-cutting, grinding, and filing your own mounts. By providing a perfect 1-1/2 inch radius, this tab is designed to seat perfectly against 1-1/2 inch outer diameter tubing, ensuring a gap-free fitment that allows for maximum weld penetration and a professional-grade finish. Whether you are building a full roll cage for a Baja Bug or setting up custom shock mounts on a sand rail, these tabs provide the consistent geometry needed for a symmetrical and safe build.

At Appletree Automotive, we know that off-road racing and trail riding put immense stress on every single weldment. That is why we carry these 3/16-inch thick tabs. They offer the beefy thickness required to resist ovaling under high-stress loads while remaining easy to weld with standard MIG or TIG setups. The 3/4-inch hole is perfectly sized for heavy-duty pivot points, large diameter bolts, or custom bushings frequently used in long-travel VW suspension systems. Because these are die-stamped rather than plasma-cut, you get a clean edge with no dross and a consistent thickness throughout the piece. This is a must-have component for any air-cooled enthusiast looking to move beyond bolt-on parts and into the world of true custom fabrication and chassis design.

FITMENT

This is a universal weld-on fabrication component designed for 1.5-inch OD tubing. While it can be used on any custom project, it is most commonly utilized on the following air-cooled VW based platforms and custom tube chassis:

• Volkswagen Beetle (All Years): Ideal for custom roll cages, bumper mounts, and suspension pivots.
• Volkswagen Baja Bug: Perfect for mounting external oil coolers, spare tire carriers, and light bars to 1.5-inch cages.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: Fits Chenowth, Berrien, and custom-built chromoly or mild steel frames.
• Meyers Manx & Fiberglass Buggies: Used for building custom subframes and mounting points for steering columns or seats.
• Volkswagen Bus (Type 2): Frequently used in custom engine cages and heavy-duty bumper fabrications.
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: Suitable for structural reinforcements and custom racing applications.
• Custom Chassis: Any application utilizing 1-1/2 inch diameter round tubing requiring a 3/4 inch mounting hole.

SPECS

Precision manufacturing ensures that every tab meets the following technical specifications for your fabrication needs:

• Material: High-quality mild steel for excellent weldability and strength.
• Manufacturing Process: Die-stamped for consistent shape and clean edges.
• Thickness: 3/16 Inch (0.1875"), providing heavy-duty resistance to bending and hole elongation.
• Radius: 1-1/2 Inch (Designed to sit flush on 1.5" OD tubing).
• Hole Diameter: 3/4 Inch, ideal for large mounting hardware and pivot bolts.
• Height: 1-3/4 Inch from the center of the hole to the bottom of the radius.
• Finish: Raw steel (Requires cleaning and coating after welding to prevent oxidation).
• Part Number: FAB-3045 (C73-147-4).
• Quantity: Sold individually.

PRO TIPS

Pro Tip 1: Surface Preparation is Key. Before you even think about striking an arc, ensure that both the tab and the tubing are stripped of all mill scale, rust, or oils. Since these are mild steel, they often come with a light coat of oil to prevent rust during shipping. Use a flap disc or a wire wheel to get the metal to a bright, shiny finish. This ensures that you don''t have any contaminants in your weld pool, which is critical for the structural integrity of a 3/16-inch thick mounting point.

Pro Tip 2: Use a Spacer and Bolt for Alignment. If you are welding two of these tabs together to create a double-shear mount (which we highly recommend for suspension components), always bolt them together with a spacer in between that is slightly wider than the component you intend to mount. This prevents the tabs from "pulling" inward toward each other as the weld cools and the metal contracts. By using a sacrificial 3/4-inch bolt and a few washers, you guarantee that your final part will actually fit between the tabs once the welding is complete.

Pro Tip 3: Manage Your Heat Cycles. Because 3/16-inch steel is relatively thick compared to some chassis tubing, you need to ensure you are getting enough heat into the tab while not blowing through the tube. Aim your arc more toward the tab and "wash" the puddle onto the tubing. If you are welding on a critical structural area of a 1.5-inch cage, try to weld in short increments on alternating sides to prevent localized overheating, which can crystallize the metal and lead to stress fractures in high-vibration off-road environments.