Tab, 1 1/4 Radius, 5/16 Hole

OVERVIEW

When it comes to custom fabrication on your air-cooled Volkswagen, off-road rail, or Baja Bug, the difference between a professional-grade build and a backyard project often lies in the details. The EMPI Tab with a 1 1/4-inch radius and 5/16-inch hole is a fundamental component for any serious fabricator looking to achieve clean, structural mounting points on their chassis. Precision-cut from high-quality raw steel, these tabs are specifically designed to contour perfectly against 1.25-inch outer diameter tubing, eliminating the unsightly gaps and weak welds that occur when using flat tabs on round surfaces. Whether you are building a full roll cage, mounting body panels, or securing critical accessories, these tabs provide the robust foundation required to withstand the rigors of off-road vibration and high-stress environments.

Utilizing a pre-fabricated weld-on tab like the FAB-3093 saves countless hours of tedious grinding and hand-shaping, allowing you to focus on the geometry and integrity of your build. The 5/16-inch hole is perfectly sized for common automotive hardware, making it an ideal choice for mounting fuel pumps, oil coolers, brake line stays, or even lightweight body skins. Because these are delivered in raw steel, they offer excellent weldability for both MIG and TIG processes, ensuring a deep, penetrating bond with your frame or cage. At Appletree Automotive, we know that your safety and the longevity of your VW depend on the strength of its mounting points, which is why we offer these EMPI-sourced tabs as a staple for any garage or professional fabrication shop.

FITMENT

This is a universal fabrication component designed for use with 1 1/4-inch (1.25") OD tubing. While it can be adapted to various projects, it is most commonly used on the following applications:

• Volkswagen Baja Bug: Ideal for cage work, bumper mounts, and auxiliary light bars.
• Sand Rails and Dune Buggies: Perfect for mounting floor pans, dash panels, and fuel tank straps.
• Manx-Style Fiberglass Buggies: Used for custom chassis reinforcements and seat belt mounting points.
• Off-Road Race Trucks: Excellent for plumbing tabs and wire loom management.
• Custom Tube Chassis: Fits any frame utilizing standard 1.25-inch structural tubing.

SPECS

Each tab is manufactured to strict tolerances to ensure consistency across your entire project. Below are the technical dimensions for the FAB-3093:

• Hole Diameter: 5/16 Inches (standard clearance for 5/16" or 8mm bolts).
• Radius: 1 1/4 Inches (specifically contoured for 1.25" OD tubing).
• Total Height: 1 7/8 Inches from the base of the radius to the top of the tab.
• Material: Heavy-duty raw mild steel for maximum weldability.
• Finish: Uncoated (requires painting, plating, or powder coating after welding to prevent corrosion).
• Quantity: Sold individually (Sold Each).

PRO TIPS

Pro Tip 1: Surface Preparation is Key. Before you strike an arc, ensure that both the tab and the tubing are completely free of mill scale, oil, and rust. Use a flap disc or a wire wheel to clean the mounting area to bright metal. Because these tabs are raw steel, they may have a light coating of shipping oil to prevent rust; wipe them down with acetone or a dedicated degreaser before welding to ensure a porous-free, high-strength bead that won''t fail under stress.

Pro Tip 2: Use an Alignment Bolt for Double-Shear Setups. If you are using two of these tabs to create a double-shear mount (such as for a shock reservoir or a heavy-duty bracket), don''t weld them one at a time. Instead, bolt the tabs together with a spacer or the actual component you are mounting using a 5/16-inch bolt. This ensures that the holes remain perfectly concentric and aligned during the welding process, preventing the "heat pull" that can make it impossible to slide your bolt through once the metal cools.

Pro Tip 3: Manage Your Heat to Prevent Tube Distortion. When welding these tabs onto thin-wall chromoly or mild steel tubing, avoid running one continuous bead. High heat in a localized area can cause the main tube to warp or become brittle. Start with four solid tack weldsone at each corner of the contact patchand then stitch weld from the center out. This technique distributes the thermal expansion more evenly, preserving the structural integrity of your chassis while ensuring the tab stays exactly where you positioned it.