A body mount chop is a modification that cuts back the front body mount bracket on the frame and welds on a cap plate, creating room for larger tires to turn without rubbing. It is common on lifted Toyota trucks and SUVs running 33 to 35 inch tires. A relocation goes further and moves the mount behind the firewall. 

Fit bigger tires to a body-on-frame Toyota and sooner or later you will hear the phrase body mount chop. The upgrade solves one of the most common rub points at full steering lock, but it changes how the front of the cab is supported. Here is what the modification involves, how it differs from a relocation, and why it is the perfect moment to look at the condition of your body mount bushings. 

What Is a Cab Mount Chop and Why Is It Needed?

On many mid-size trucks and SUVs, the front cab mount bracket sticks out from the frame rail just behind the front wheel. When you fit taller and wider tires, the back edge of the tire hits that bracket when the steering is at full lock, particularly with the suspension compressed. A cab mount chop removes the protruding part of the bracket so the tire can clear it. 

The process usually involves cutting the bracket flush with the frame rail, then welding a CNC-cut plate over the opening to box it in. Depending on the design, the body is either supported by a modified mount or the plate becomes part of a shortened bracket. It is a cutting and welding job, so most owners have it done by a fabrication shop. 

Body Mount Chop vs Body Mount Relocation

The two terms often get mixed up, but they are different levels of work.

 

Body mount chop 

Body mount relocation 

What happens 

The protruding bracket is cut back and capped with a welded plate 

The bracket is removed and a new mount is built further back, usually behind the firewall 

Tire clearance gained 

Moderate, often enough for 33 to 34 inch tires 

More, helping with 34 to 35 inch tires 

Complexity 

Simpler and quicker 

More involved, with more fabrication 

Hardware 

Cap plate 

Relocation bracket, backing plate, bolts and new bushings 

A Tacoma body mount relocation is one of the most common versions, and the 4Runner body mount chop is just as popular on 4th gen and 5th gen models. You will also see the same modification on the Tundra, FJ Cruiser and GX470, where a GX470 body mount chop or Tundra body mount chop clears bigger rubber in the same way.
Body Mount Bushing and Hardware Kit - 4WD - Standard Cab PickupBody Mount Bushing and Hardware Kit - 4WD - Standard Cab Pickup

Body Mount Bushing Kit to Suit Jeep Wrangler TJ

Pros and Cons of a Body Mount Chop 

The benefits are clear for anyone running large tires off-road:

  • No more rubbing at full lock: You keep full steering travel instead of fitting limit straps or trimming the tire.
  • Bigger tire options: The chop opens up sizes that would otherwise hit the bracket.
  • Cleaner wheel well: Less protruding metal for tires and trail debris to catch. 

There are downsides worth weighing before any cutting starts. The modification is permanent, it needs quality welding, and some owners are uneasy about altering a factory support point. With very large tires the firewall itself can still rub, which may need additional bodywork. Bolts on relocated mounts should be rechecked after the first week or two of driving. 

What a Body Mount Chop Means for Your Other Body Mounts

Any time the front cab mount is cut back or moved, the way the body sits on the frame changes. The remaining mounts carry the load, and on a relocation the new position needs its own bushing. If your factory rubber is already cracked or compressed, the cab can sit unevenly and the worn positions get loaded even harder. 

That makes the chop or relocation the ideal time to inspect the remaining cab mounts, check every body mount bushing and replace tired rubber with polyurethane. Our body mount bushings resist the compression set and cracking that wear out factory rubber, which matters even more on trucks that see trail flex, heavy loads and big tires. If you see clunks or squeaks already, our list of bad body mount symptoms will help you confirm it. 

Raising the body is another way people clear bigger tires, and it has its own effect on the mounts. Our guide to body lifts and body mounts covers that option in detail.

FAQs

Looking for more information about body mount chops? Below we answer the most commonly asked questions

What is a body mount chop on a 4Runner?

A 4Runner body mount chop cuts back the front body mount bracket on the frame and caps it with a welded plate. It stops larger tires rubbing the bracket at full steering lock.

What is a cab mount chop on a Tacoma?

A Tacoma body mount chop applies the same idea to the front cab mount behind each front wheel. Many owners choose a Tacoma body mount relocation instead, which moves the mount back for more clearance.

Is a body mount chop safe?

When the welding is done properly by a competent fabricator, it is a widely used and accepted modification. Have the remaining mounts inspected and the bolts rechecked shortly after the work.

What tire size needs a body mount chop?

Rubbing usually starts around 33 inch tires on popular Toyota platforms, depending on wheel offset and lift height. A relocation is often chosen for 34 to 35 inch tires.

Should I replace body mount bushings during a body mount chop?

Yes, it is a smart time to do it because the mounts are already being worked on. Fresh polyurethane bushings keep the body sitting level once one of the positions has been changed.

Can I reverse a body mount chop?

Reversing it means welding a new bracket back onto the frame, so treat it as permanent. Make sure your tire plans justify the modification before any cutting starts.

Bigger tires put more demand on every mount under your cab. Check the full range of body mount bushings for your vehicle, and our support team can help confirm the right set.