Trick Tab, 3/8 Hole

OVERVIEW

When you''re deep into a custom chassis build or beefing up your off-road rail, the EMPI Trick Tab with a 3/8-inch hole is the unsung hero of the fabrication bench. Designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of the air-cooled VW community and off-road enthusiasts, these tabs feature unique "winged" or bent edges that provide superior structural support compared to standard flat tabs. The contoured design is engineered to hug round tubing perfectly, providing a much larger surface area for welding which significantly increases the shear strength of the mount. Whether you''re building a Baja Bug, a Manx-style buggy, or a dedicated sand rail, having a handful of these high-quality mild steel tabs on hand ensures your project moves forward with professional-grade precision and structural integrity.

These FAB-3038 tabs are manufactured from 1/8-inch thick mild steel, striking the perfect balance between being manageable for welding and incredibly durable for long-term use. The 3/8-inch hole is the industry standard for various mounting hardware, allowing you to secure vital components like seat belt harnesses, light bars, fuel cells, or body panels without the fear of hardware failure under high-vibration off-road conditions. Because they come in a natural, raw finish, they are ready to be TIG or MIG welded directly onto your chassis or roll cage right out of the box. Don''t settle for flimsy, home-made tabs that can fail when the trail gets rough; the EMPI Trick Tab offers a clean, uniform look that tells everyone you didn''t cut corners on your build. It''s the small details like these that separate a professional fabrication job from a weekend project.

FITMENT

This is a universal fabrication component designed for weld-on applications. While it can be used on any vehicle, it is most commonly utilized in the following air-cooled VW and off-road applications:

• Volkswagen Beetle: Custom roll cages, Baja Bug body mounts, and fender supports.
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: Custom chassis bracing and accessory mounting.
• Volkswagen Bus (Type 2): Custom interior shelving mounts and external rack fabrication.
• Volkswagen Type 3: Custom suspension limit strap mounting.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: Essential for mounting electronics, fuel tanks, and panels to the main frame.
• Meyers Manx: Body-to-chassis mounting points and roll bar accessories.
• Universal Tubing: Designed to fit 1-1/4 inch, 1-1/2 inch, and 1-3/4 inch OD tubing.

SPECS

The following technical specifications ensure you have the right part for your specific fabrication requirements:

• Material: High-quality Mild Steel.
• Thickness: 1/8 Inch (0.125").
• Hole Diameter: 3/8 Inch.
• Design Style: Winged "Trick Tab" for increased weld surface.
• Finish: Natural Raw Steel (Requires coating after welding to prevent rust).
• Part Number: FAB-3038 (EMPI C73-120-10).
• Weight: Approximately 0.43 lbs.
• Quantity: Sold Individually.

PRO TIPS

Tip 1: Proper Surface Preparation for Superior Welds

Before you spark up the welder, it is absolutely critical to prep both the Trick Tab and the tubing it is being attached to. Even though these tabs come in a clean, raw state, they often have a thin layer of mill scale or oil to prevent flash rusting during shipping. Use a flap disc or a wire wheel to grind the welding edges of the tab and the contact point on your tubing down to bright, shiny metal. This ensures maximum penetration and prevents contaminants from weakening the weld bead, which is vital for components that may be under stress during off-road maneuvers.

Tip 2: Use a "Dummy" Bolt for Perfect Alignment

When welding these tabs in pairssuch as for a shock mount or a limit strapalignment is everything. To keep the holes perfectly concentric while you tack weld them into place, use a 3/8-inch grade 8 bolt and a spacer (or the actual component you are mounting) to "jig" the tabs together. This prevents the heat from the welding process from pulling the tabs out of alignment. Once the tabs are tacked securely, remove the bolt and hardware before performing your final pass to avoid accidentally welding the bolt to the tab or melting the threads.

Tip 3: Post-Weld Corrosion Protection

Since these tabs are made of mild steel and are welded directly to your chassis, they are highly susceptible to rust once the fabrication is complete. After the metal has cooled down from welding, wipe the area with a wax and grease remover. If you aren''t ready for a full paint job or powder coat, hit the tabs with a quick coat of weld-through primer or a zinc-rich cold galvanizing spray. This will protect your hard work from oxidation while you finish the rest of your build, ensuring that the mounting points remain structurally sound and look great when the final finish is applied.