advice on building cockpit needed

  • Thread starter Hajaz
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Hajaz

Like Eagle stated, that Gamecube could be put to use else where - raising the height of your pedals, the Xbox is just the right height to make your seat a little higher. This way the steering wheel table can stay as it is!
 
Eagle
Martinmaxx - damn. You just stole that from your local arcade late one Argentinian evening didn't you? You should make and sell those if you've got some spare time.
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Building a cockpit for GT4 is a fun and rewarding project. If you have the available space to place it at home, don´t hesitate, and do it! I have only basic carpenter abilities, and even so, contruction was a breeze! It took me more time to measure and draw some plans, than the actual construction. I used a big power screw driver to most of the work (BOSCH 14.4 V).

Then you can complete your setup with some DFP mods from FREX-Japan (Momo wheel adapter, sequential shifter, pressure sensitive pedals, etc), a 5.1 Speaker system, a big TV, racing seat, etc. There are endless possibilities.
 
Hajaz
edit: btw, what height is the seat in your cockpit? (what height do u actually sit?)
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The top part of the seat base is around 35/38cm high. Remeber that my pedals and pedal floor (second floor) are higher too. Most of the measures depend on your height and personal preference. Try to experiment and take measurements on a real car.

Hope it helps.
 
I thought it looked familiar - the 'felt' finish is a particularly nice McLaren touch.

I know there are threads for this, but sice you have one, and seem to be online now - is the DFP worth getting? i've always used a DualShock2 with GT, i've tried using a' Jaguar F1' wheel, which is for the PSone really so has no force feedback and only one level of brake/acceloration (unlike the DS2's 256 levels) and was really bad, ok in the corners, but found it hard to use in a straight line. This kind of put me off using wheels, but i really fancy a DFPro.
 
TheCracker
I thought it looked familiar - the 'felt' finish is a particularly nice McLaren touch.

I know there are threads for this, but sice you have one, and seem to be online now - is the DFP worth getting? i've always used a DualShock2 with GT, i've tried using a' Jaguar F1' wheel, which is for the PSone really so has no force feedback and only one level of brake/acceloration (unlike the DS2's 256 levels) and was really bad, ok in the corners, but found it hard to use in a straight line. This kind of put me off using wheels, but i really fancy a DFPro.
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TheCracker,

The DFP is definitively worth getting. You´ll experience a different and improved game once you get it. As you have been using the DS controller for such a long time, it will take some time and patience to master the DFP. But after mastering it, you will really appreciate the driving physics that PD have implemented on GT4P.

I would not recommend the DFP for GT3, as the original DF wheel is much better at that. But for GT4P -and hopefully GT4- the DFP is essential. After using the new wheel with GT4P, there is no turning back to GT3. I´ve tried to play it again, and I don´t like it anymore!! I only play GT4P (and I am already getting bored at it... Hurry up PD!!)

DFP is the single most essential addition to fully experience GT4.
 
Great!

Tell me, which 'view' do you use when you play? - i always use the 'out-of-car' view, i'm sure the DFP works best from the 'bumper-cam' view - is this right?
 
wyndairn
I, like LethalChem, am too lazy to build my own cockpit ;) I just bought myself a new Playseat (www.playseats.nl). Pretty similar to the other one.

Would love to spend some time building my own cockpit at some point, though. I think what you guys are doing is really cool. Would be great to get a series of plans up for some of the best designs, when this thread continues... 👍
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Ohhh, I like yours better! Have you received it yet, or only just now purchased it? If prices are similar, I might like to go with the one you found. Do you mind telling how much you spent (or PM it if you prefer)?
 
I just put in my order; they're from the Netherlands and the first imported shipment just arrived in Redmond, according to the distributor. Should be shipping end of this week/beginning of next.

This seat, like the DFP, was designed with GT4 in mind, though obviously a seat can be used for pretty much anything. I like this one because it folds away, and I've read on some other forums from people who have them that it's quite sturdy (the long wheel arm made me a little nervous at first.) If you want, I'll write up some thoughts about it next week or so when it's supposed to arrive.

The cost looked fairly similar to the other one - I paid $299 plus $30-some for shipping and handling.
 
wyndairn
I just put in my order; they're from the Netherlands and the first imported shipment just arrived in Redmond, according to the distributor. Should be shipping end of this week/beginning of next.

This seat, like the DFP, was designed with GT4 in mind, though obviously a seat can be used for pretty much anything. I like this one because it folds away, and I've read on some other forums from people who have them that it's quite sturdy (the long wheel arm made me a little nervous at first.) If you want, I'll write up some thoughts about it next week or so when it's supposed to arrive.

The cost looked fairly similar to the other one - I paid $299 plus $30-some for shipping and handling.
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$330 including shipping?? Thanks for the info. I'll be getting one! 👍 :)

Lazy people unite!! :lol:
 
Hi, Hajaz. Nice to meet you. Welcome to GTP.

For those who may know me, you'll know that I just want to play the game and not be so involved in making my own devices and setups for playing a game. To be honest, in my arcade-playing days, if I had the money, I would love to set up a unit to play Gran Turismo on. I don't have friends of mine who play GT, so I would prefer a single unit. If, however, I want to set up my own network of GT gamers, I'd like to create three twin units complete with the new Logitech wheel. I'd like to build the units to feature rumble features with the steering wheel and the comfy racing seat. The seat would be fully adjustable and keep up with the environments. But that would require hardcore construction and programming, and I would probably need PD and Sony's approval. But I can always make things such as the traditional racing units like you see in arcades. A setup I liked was the ones for the RUSH series. These games had the manual shifter placed to your right. If I made a unit setup, I'd like the shifter to first be a paddle shift with two different settings for reverse and neutral. But, I would also like a paddle-shift system similar to Formula One on the wheel if I don't favor the stick shifter. The sound system would be on the racing seats like with Sega's Super GT/SCUD Race.

The perfect unit to play GT4 will require some DIY (do it yourself) work, but I seriously believe it can be done. How can it be done? No real answer. Just depends on tastes and devotion to not only racing, but GT as a whole. Having said that, I have no ideas except for what I would want for a gaming unit. Anyhow, take care and stay safe.
 
I wonder if you could somehow take the feedback from the wheel and apply it to the seat somehow?

i.e. you have a passthru connector on the controller port and this reads in the information passed to the wheel as well as sending it to the wheel... You could then make the seat move in the opposite direction to the feedback on the wheel... thus simulating cornering and stuff... and obviously the rumbling vibration could be added to the seat in a vertical plane thus simulating the terrain... Obviously this would take an in depth knowledge of electronics and stuff... but I reckon that it could be done quite easily?!

If you couldn't get the passthru connector idea to work then maybe you would be able to open up the steering wheel and take the data from the wheel itself... that way you wouldn't even need to intepret the data or anything!!

C.
 
yeti
I wonder if you could somehow take the feedback from the wheel and apply it to the seat somehow?
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I've heard of a company who produce a seat cover that is ment to replicate that 'seat of the pants' driving experiance. If i can remember rightly it is made up with little air pockets that are 'expanded' at the front of the seat when excelerating (pushing you slightly backwards) expanded at the back under braking, expanded at the left when left turning etc. I belive it gets its information from the same code used in for the 'force-feedback' wheels and obviously from the pedal unit. Its been divised for 'PC sims' so i'm not sure if it would work on a PS2.
 
Hi all,

My first post. :)

I have mine DFPro hooked up to my wifes Ironing Board.

This is a great thread, and I need some idea's for building my own system/setup. Also need something to pass the time while waiting for GT4.

I have been lurking here for about a month or two.

later.
 
 
yeti
No offence but I take it you don't live with/have a girlfriend?!

Mine thinks I'm obsessed with it and I play about half an hour a day!!!!

C.
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Hey just get your girlfriend to play the games too. This is my wife driving my simulator. I just used an old TV stand and extended the top to bring the wheel closer into my lap. Works like a peach!!
 

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@ Swillie.

Hey, that's a pretty cool idea! :lol:

@ MartinMaxx

Your cockpit really looks good, I might do something like that later.. :dopey:

I have a normal Playseat, and I would recommend it to all. :)
 
Damn! I was going to say that, TriplePlay! You sick bastard! :lol: (j/k)

Anyhow, I hope to be one of those bastards to get GT4 and enjoy it as best as I can. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to watching this telenovela, "Amarte Es Mi Pecado." Care to translate? Use my "Translations" link in my signature because I have no idea what that means. "??? is My ???" Anyhow, carry on.
 
Nice I like those setups. For me I think ill just use my bean bag in front of my TV witch sits low to the ground anyway.

I don’t have a wheel yet. I can’t decide on the G force pro or the G force. I’m a little strapped for cash. Do you think the G force would be a good compromise?
 
Please, do not compromise! I have upgraded a while ago to the Logitech driving force Pro version and it is definetly worth the money! Just count the extra money, not the entire amount...

Find the cash, good luck!
 
First of all, it's GT Force Pro. And I would definately not compromise, as it supports turning the wheel 900, and GT4 will be great with that mode. Plus the Force feedback is 166% stronger. Plus with a good setup it kicks arse. 👍
 
Seeing as I'm so uber, I decided i should show you what a REAL racing seat looks like.

Features include...

Whiplash simulation
Fan to aid in making it feel windy
Seats from a ford escort
Seat belts
70inch plasma screen
700 watt speaker system
Jolty seat thingy

It's made from only the most spage age bits ofc

Also availible with ash trays, lighter, new car smell and neons.

I also gave it a funky back round to make it look high tech...
 

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