We can all agree that Toyota Tacomas are an excellent choice for going off-road. Their reliability, safety, capability, comfortability, and durability are unquestionable. In addition, when searching for spare parts for these trucks, support from the aftermarket is available.
Many drivers opt for adding a lift and a set of larger tires and tune the suspension to their preference according to whichever trails they may choose to use. The downside of just adding larger tires is that you risk them rubbing the inner fender wells or even the rear of the front fenders.
Initially, trimming the excess bit was a solution that 4×4 drivers resorted to all over the entire world. The second and third-generation Tacoma has made the forward cab mount get in the way. Fortunately, a solution has been found to get more clearance for the immobile metal interference.
Tacoma Cab Mount Chop vs. Body Mount Chop BMC
The procedure is called a cab mount chop, and many have done it. It requires cutting, and welding, and a cab mount chop plate. You can buy cab mount chop plates from several aftermarket Toyota specialty shops, but assembling them is also easy.
A body Mount is an adjustment to the cab body mount by the front wheel well. Larger tires can occasionally grind against or strike the body mount. A section of the body mount is removed to correct the issue, and a new steel plate is welded in place to create more space and prevent tire rub.
How to Weld Tacoma Cab Mount Chop Plates
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Gather your tools
The first step is to gather all the tools you will need for the job. This includes an angle grinder, a flap disc, a cut-off wheel, and a paint pen. Also, include accessories like a tire lug wrench and torque wrench to help with the job.
When you bring your Tacoma home, and all gear is ready, locate a flat and level spot to make the cab mount chop.
Put your vehicle in park and apply the emergency brake. Chock the rear wheels, and you’re good to go.
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Secure and hoist your Tacoma
Make use of a strong and reinforced frame point, jack up your truck, and place your jack stands on both sides for maximum security.
This is to avoid your truck falling when you are underneath it. In addition, an extra step of safety is to place your tires under the car. This ensures that any jack failure will cause the truck to land on your tires and not you.
Detach the front wheels and find the cab mount. Remove the negative battery terminal off of the battery.
Henceforth, you will require a tape measure, a paper cutout of your Cab Mount plate, and your paint pen.
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Take measurements
Measure out 3.5 inches from the frame to the cab mount and show using your paint pen.
This mark is used to approximate the position of your cutout to trace where you will cut correctly.
Make sure the bottom of the cutout is level with the bottom of your cab mount. Mark the bottom of the cab mount as well, leaving about 0.25 inches of steel in front of the hole. After measuring and marking the cut locations on each side, double-check to ensure that it is all perfect.
Do not forget, “measure twice, cut once.”
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Wear protective gear
Good eyesight and ears are critical requirements for this process. Wearing protective gear such as gloves and welding goggles will be necessary, given that there will be sparks flying all over.
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Fitments and cutting Cab Mounts on your Tacoma
Mark the outline of your CMC plate and the points you created with the paint pen using the grinder. Be keen not to extend through the steel into the rubber bushing.
This results in an even cut and prevents the steel from getting so hot. After marking, cutting through the steel, you may notice that the grinder catches the cuts as you move. All along, maintain a firm grip and use the downward side of the cutting wheel. Ensure that you do not rush during this step.
Insert your plate in the hole you created and check to see any gaps. You may need to repeat this step several times to get it just right. The fewer the gaps, the less time you will fill them throughout the welding process. Clean up the area to remove any loose steel.
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Welding the Cab Mount and cleaning up
A good ground for a welder is inside the cab mount. You may need to wire wheel off some paint to expose bare steel. You’ll be painting this whole mount anyway.
Set up the welder to an amperage for welding ⅛” steel after cleaning up the steel for welding.
After satisfaction with the fitments, weld slowly at different points. This prevents the area from getting extremely hot and melting the rubber behind your plate. Keep a spray bottle full of water handy.
Depending on how much you initially chopped off, you may need to pound your plate to bend it to fit. Aim to avoid gaps as much as possible.
After completing both sides and cooling the metal, use your flap disc to clean up your welds as needed or desired.
To apply paint, clean the freshly welded area with a wire brush and some acetone, brake cleaner, or alcohol. Rubberized underbody coating works best here for long term protection.
On your trips, the cab mount chop will spend most of its time covered in mud, snow, and sand. It doesn’t have to be gorgeous; it just has to function.
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Apply protective paint
After all is cooled down, any grinding residue left should be wiped away, and you should apply rust-free protective paint.
Put on as many coats as you think are needed to protect it from the weather.
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Remount wheels
The problematic aspect is over. Remount your wheels and confirm that your lug nuts are torqued to specifications. Take your Tacoma for a spin. Driving in reverse while moving the wheels from lock to lock is the most excellent way to put it to the test.
Tacoma Cab Mount Relocation and Tundra Cab Mount Chop CMC
CMC brackets (Cab Mount Chop) The brackets are made of CNC laser-cut 11-gauge steel and have the exact form of the cab mount.
These are an exact fit for your cab mount, saving both time and money on wasted steel. They should provide tire clearance, but they will clear much more with the correct offset wheels.
Almost anyone with a newer Tacoma or Tundra who wants to run a larger tire will need to reduce the body mount to clear the tire.
Before taking any action, it is critical to analyze all available information. The cab mount does more than just function as a body mount; it is significant for a reason.
It reinforces the cab from front-end accidents. The cab mount keeps the front end from collapsing in the wheel well and crushing your legs.
What Do Cab Mount Chop Plates Do?
Cab Mount Chop plates are the missing puzzle to issues with rubbing the cab mount when the tires turn.
Rubbing often occurs on tires that are larger than the stock tires. The plates are cut from steel and sometimes press formed. One can opt to follow the step-by-step guide above for a rub-free encounter.
The cab mount plates create an additional tire room of roughly one and a quarter inches when installed correctly. The Plates come in a pair (left/right) for both sides of the truck.
Are Tacoma Cab Mount Chop (CMC) plates safe?
All good things have their downsides, and a cab mount chop is one of them. Unfortunately, should the cab Mount cause any issues with your truck, there is no warranty to cover any losses or damages.
To avoid such damages, a stronger plate should be welded (like the HMOR one), and a competent welder should install.
Conclusion
Several vendors supply the steel plate that will be welded onto the body mount once it is cut. You can do it yourself if you have the cutting and welding tools. A 4×4 shop or fabricator can do it for a cost. Save yourself time, money and headache with HMOR plates.
