Yo Def's Sim Build (Finished)

  • Thread starter Thread starter MuchoJimbo
  • 37 comments
  • 3,121 views
MuchoJimbo

MuchoJimbo

Messages
1,004
United States
Plano, Illinois USA
Messages
MuchoJimbo
Messages
Yo Def
Earlier this week, I started working on my custom sim racing set-up. I wanted to work on my welding and figured some good practicing would be to build a set-up. So far it is coming along great. Thought I'd share as I progress and maybe someone might have some input, either something I may not have thought of or something that may make it better. Hope you enjoy. I did order a Fanatec shifter set, that I will build into once I receive and see how it can be implemented.

IMG167.jpg

Prefer the round tubing look and being able to bend it with minimal welds.

IMG169.jpg

Grinding to allow for no seams when the two halves are welded.

IMG173.jpg

Here's the base with the two halves as a whole.

IMG174.jpg

Figuring how to angle the seat brace.

IMG175.jpg

With seat mounted, not yet in place.

IMG177.jpg

Now with the wheel support.

IMG179.jpg

Different angle.

IMG180.jpg

Front view.

That's all for now. Will update as more progress is made.
 
Yes looks good. Very jelous of these awesome set ups you guys make. I wish I had the time/skill to do one of these.
 
I am so jealous you have a tube bender. Its one of the tools I want really really bad for my garage. Luckily my neighbor owns an exhaust shop so getting tube bent is not a problem.
Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Its always nice seeing people create their own custom projects.
 
novadave
Hi MuchoJimbo.
that is going to be sweet when finished.
here is mine that i built last year.


http://wheelracers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=373
Click to expand...
Wow, really nice. When I was brainstorming my setup, my main 2 concerns were stability and ''curves''. I initially started with square tubing. Smaller, less weight but after a few ''scenarios'' I just didn't like the look. Then my dad mentioned he had some pipe for roll cages in his garage......well now here we are with the current build.

I knew if I wanted something strong and stable, I would have to sacrifice it being light, but I'll be damned, this thing without the seat is shockingly light. I can carry it myself without much effort, sure it is awkward but managable for one person. I made sure the width was less that 36'' for standard doorways, mine is 32''.

Width at seat base- 32''
Length-60''
Height (with seat)- 48''

It is funny because I approached my dad about building this and him being an oldschool hotrod guy, kinda laughed it off. Then as we started getting an actual frame and playing with different angles, he is more excited about it than I am. He is a big dragster and after we finish this one, he wants to build a few for his dragster buddies so they can practice in their garage or basement.

Also once we finish this one and get an idea of cost, we would gladly custom make one for anyone who is interested. The sky is the limit. :)
 
zr1chris
Great job on that setup. Is that aluminum? If not that must be HEAVY!
Click to expand...

Hi.
the total weight is 92lbs including the wheel and pedals.it is steel tubing.
i wanted it to be rigid yet have an easy access to get in and out.
 
MuchoJimbo
Wow, really nice. When I was brainstorming my setup, my main 2 concerns were stability and ''curves''. I initially started with square tubing. Smaller, less weight but after a few ''scenarios'' I just didn't like the look. Then my dad mentioned he had some pipe for roll cages in his garage......well now here we are with the current build.

I knew if I wanted something strong and stable, I would have to sacrifice it being light, but I'll be damned, this thing without the seat is shockingly light. I can carry it myself without much effort, sure it is awkward but managable for one person. I made sure the width was less that 36'' for standard doorways, mine is 32''.

Width at seat base- 32''
Length-60''
Height (with seat)- 48''

It is funny because I approached my dad about building this and him being an oldschool hotrod guy, kinda laughed it off. Then as we started getting an actual frame and playing with different angles, he is more excited about it than I am. He is a big dragster and after we finish this one, he wants to build a few for his dragster buddies so they can practice in their garage or basement.

Also once we finish this one and get an idea of cost, we would gladly custom make one for anyone who is interested. The sky is the limit. :)
Click to expand...


thanks - i am like your dad when it comes to racing.
make it as rigid as you can as it will result in better lap times guaranteed
 
CAMAROBOY69
I am so jealous you have a tube bender. Its one of the tools I want really really bad for my garage. Luckily my neighbor owns an exhaust shop so getting tube bent is not a problem.
Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. Its always nice seeing people create their own custom projects.
Click to expand...

Hi .
you would be surprised at how the cost of tubing benders have come down.
i own several automated hydraulic types but you really only need a manual hydraulic type that you could get for about $200.00 that will bend from 3/4" up to 1-3/4"
 
Just a few updates. Been busy with school and a few snow storms so the build is going slower than expected.

IMG185.jpg

Starting on the shifter mount.

IMG187.jpg

Another angle with chopsticks cut.

IMG188-1.jpg


IMG189.jpg

Toying around with the idea for a TV/Monitor mount.

IMG191.jpg

Side view.
 
Finally finished. The weight without seat, wheel pedals etc is approx. 70lbs. Much lighter than I imagined.

Incredibly sturdy, I can stand on the wheel mount, I weigh 200lbs. It was fun designing it. It's simple but looks good in a room. We are building another one and I am ticked I didn't think of it for this one but we will allow for wires to run through the tube for a much cleaner look. Enjoy!
IMG208.jpg


Primer.
IMG204.jpg


First coat of Black.
IMG206.jpg


Painting the insert.
IMG207.jpg


Seeing how the insert would look.
IMG210.jpg


In my gameroom.
203_0878.jpg


Front View
203_0879.jpg


203_0880.jpg


203_0881.jpg


203_0882.jpg


You can see why I rather run the wires through the tube, but this works too!
203_0887.jpg


Another Front View
203_0884.jpg


The wheel and pedal plates are adjustable.
 
BryCivicSi
Is it weird using the pedals like that? In a real car you push a pedal back and forth where it looks like these get pushed downwards.
Click to expand...

That depends entirely on the car, most performance or race cars will be fitted with floor hinged pedal boxes:

MichaelZappa-MG-MGB-EF.jpg



Scaff
 
BryCivicSi
Is it weird using the pedals like that? In a real car you push a pedal back and forth where it looks like these get pushed downwards.
Click to expand...
I am used to the pedals like this, all brands I have had in the past are like these, I know Fanatec sells the inversion kit to give the pedals an authentic feel (How you described) of a real vehicle.
 
MuchoJimbo
I am used to the pedals like this, all brands I have had in the past are like these, I know Fanatec sells the inversion kit to give the pedals an authentic feel (How you described) of a real vehicle.
Click to expand...

I had the GT4 Logitech set and I just couldnt get used to it. It felt like I was rolling my ankles to make it work. Didn't know if it was common or just me. But cool to know it can be made both ways. I bet expensive though.

And nice work/ craftsmanship. Would be nice to do someday. Now, to upgrade your seat with one that has some side bolsters. And ever thought of upgrading with one of those earthquake things? I don't know what they're called but they produce a rumble and people attach them to chairs for their in-house cinemas or whatever. Something so you actually feel a rumble when you go over a rumble strip.
 
Yeah, the seat was free so I took it. I would eventually like to upgrade to a proper racing seat.

I think you are talking about one of those buttkickers. I thought about it but do not want to spend the money right now on one. Would definitely make a difference......dammit Bry, now you got me thinking.

I think the inversion kit is $50 so not too bad,

Thanks for the compliment.
 
Thanks Agent!

Thanks Chris, yeah but the best news is I can finally participate in the Club races.

I haven't used a shifter before this build (since I ordered one during the build) but is it me or can a shifter make you faster? I know it is probably a placebo effect but it seems my shifting is more fluid than with the paddles. Could it be the paddles to clutch timing is too sudden at times? Just curious if anyone has any input!
 
MuchoJimbo
Thanks Agent!

Thanks Chris, yeah but the best news is I can finally participate in the Club races.

I haven't used a shifter before this build (since I ordered one during the build) but is it me or can a shifter make you faster? I know it is probably a placebo effect but it seems my shifting is more fluid than with the paddles. Could it be the paddles to clutch timing is too sudden at times? Just curious if anyone has any input!
Click to expand...

I don't think the shifter makes you any faster. Clutch yes, shifter no. Although on the other hand depending on your driving style maybe it will make you faster. If you are the type that likes to skip gears on the downshift then I can see how it may help. Also it may have to do with the immersion factor. It just feels more realistic when shifting using an actual H-pattern shifter since most of us don't have a car with paddle shifters. I still downshift one gear at a time even with the shifter (which I always use). Also for me when using the shifter it pretty much forces me to drive one handed 100% of the time. It took quite a while for me to get used to but now I'm almost more comfortable with 1 hand on the wheel than 2.

BTW Looking forward to you rejoining us in our races! :cheers:
 
Yeah the shifter for sure isn't faster. I agree with ZR1, I just use it for immersion. It's wicked to be able to run through gears like I do in RL, but with cars I'll never be able to afford.
 
S-weet!! I'd build one but on price there's certainly a few off the shelf rigs $400 - $550 and with triple screen mount and the kit to weld and pipe bend surely comes in at higher price, although I can imagine the satisfaction of building a custom rig particularly on the size and shifter mount side of things. And particularly if you want to mount three monitors larger than 24". Custom builds are always great to see in progress so thanks for sharing your project, great entertainment.
 
This turned out real nice Jimbo! Bet it's a laugh racing in this! 👍 Wish I had more room in my apartment to build something proper like this... Now I just have to settle for my wooden "rig" and sitting on the sofa (which is a back-killer btw!!) ...Well maybe some day!! :p
 
Thanks Hazuki, yeah, it's hard to see but in the last pic there is a tab that allows me to add a TV or monitor. Since I do not race with multiple monitors I do not need but to build one wouldn't be an issue if later down the road I decided to invest in that type of set up. I am in the process of building another one for a friend and since he is a huge drag racing fan, we are building the same base and steering wheel mount only this one will have a Rollcage around the driver.......at first I was like OK you are the ''customer'' but after some messing around and coming to a set design for the cage, it really looks neat and when sitting in the rig it feels much different than anything else, adds to the experience.

Also on this next one, the base frame will come apart at midpoint, the steering wheel mount and shifter mount will also be detachable for easier storage and movement. The current one I use was/is a prototype to get a starting point and evolve from there.

@Forcone, I know it is cliche but the picture really does not do this rig justice, I remember coming home telling the wife and showing her the pictures as the build progressed and she was cool about it but you could tell she was nervous about having some big metal rusty thing in our house, which is understandable. But the day I brought it home she was pretty shocked at how clean and sharp it looked. Needless to say I am extremely happy with it. Just wish some of you guys lived closer so I could get some various feedback on it............since none of my friends care one bit about sim racing, they enjoy crashing into walls and other AI cars but none care for it like we do.
 
I have the inversion kit for my CSR Elites and they work great. If you can build a rig then inverting them is a snap!
 

Latest Posts

Back