CHEAP Cockpit Alternatives ONLY

  • Thread starter mnarciso
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Could anyone possibly tell me what the name of these \/ stickers are or where I can find them?
untitled2vr.jpg
 
vtec_guy
You should do what nurby did and do a controller hack to make the handbrake work. Thats some pretty impressive wiring there. I dont see how you could make the speedo work with the game tho, is that even possible?

There's a load of pretty neat stuff on the frex site, id like to buy some stuff from there but I dont know if any of it will be compatible with my williams wheel which is almost exactly the same as the dfp.

my cockpit isn't just fancy crap... almost everything works, it just needs a few things touched up...

"comprehension...?" I think you aren't reading, should read my post all my recent posts on this thread... I've mention several times I have the "e brake" working, the one you call handbrake and has been working way before nurburgring's. its been done on my cockpit since GT3! I'm not electronic engineer but I have extensive knowledge and know what I'm doing. nurburgring's setup uses an extra controller but with mine, I went direct to the DFP. I'd show how its done but I don't have a digital cam.

recent posts:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1803851&postcount=771
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1803887&postcount=773
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1804610&postcount=778

for the gauges, I've done it for computer racing sim games but not for consoles. it "maybe" possible, its worth a try...

as for frex, I try and avoid most aftermarket brands other then the steering wheel its self. my theory, "if you can make it yourself! make it!"
 
Sorry, I didnt know what the e-brake was.:dunce:

I'm thinking of building a shifter to go on the side of my seat since its not exactly complicated, frex is just too expensive and its mainly because of the materials used, such as carbon fiber etc. Which, quite frankly, I can live without so i've kinda given up on that idea.

First of all though im gonna build an extension on my table that will go over the top of the wheel's main fixing to make it look neater and more professional, then paint it black. I want to get an electrical cut off sticker and extinguisher sticker to go on it to make it look a little more racey, perhaps even wire up a PTB switch by the electrical cut off sticker so it's there for a purpose. I'll just stick to the small stuff now, my understanding of electronics i like to think is fairly good (im predicted a B in my GCSEs) but there's still a lot for me to learn beyond the GCSE benchmark.

Off to the drawing board I suppose, sorry if I annoyed you a little Kouki.
 
vtec_guy
Sorry, I didnt know what the e-brake was.:dunce:

I'm thinking of building a shifter to go on the side of my seat since its not exactly complicated, frex is just too expensive and its mainly because of the materials used, such as carbon fiber etc. Which, quite frankly, I can live without so i've kinda given up on that idea.

First of all though im gonna build an extension on my table that will go over the top of the wheel's main fixing to make it look neater and more professional, then paint it black. I want to get an electrical cut off sticker and extinguisher sticker to go on it to make it look a little more racey, perhaps even put a PTB switch by the electrical cut off sticker so it's there for a purpose.

Off to the drawing board I suppose, sorry if I annoyed you a little Kouki.

its cool don't worry about it, it was more like misunderstanding...

btw, good luck on the upgrades to your cockpit 👍 post pics and keep us updated! :)
 
will do, you too hehe.

Ive been looking at various electrical parts on the demon tweeks website and found the actual battery cut off switches and they dont cost much so I think ill get one of those. I'll probably use it as a power switch for my PS2 because I have to take off my wheel to get in my seat so once i'm in I have to turn the PS2 on with a golfclub lol. So a power switch by the wheel could come in handy.
I also need some good speakers to replace my walkman speakers since they're incredibly quiet (no surprises there) but I cant find any decent ones with a jack plug fitting on them (my tv only has a jack plug socket for external speakers). So my next priority will be finding them.
 
Picture Update:
I decided to put the speakers on the inside of the table to make everything look a bit neater and so that the engine noise comes from a more realistic location.

Here's the speakers in their new locations, I used the same drilled holes that I used when the speakers were on the outside, but simply put them back on the other way round. They are in the perfect place to make it sound like the engine is in front of me, and they dont get in the way of my legs as they're tucked away behind the wheel clamps.

I also drilled holes down the side of the table and pedal-box so I could use cable ties to hold all the leads out of the way, this also makes it look a lot neater.

I went racing with my uncle yesterday at Brands Hatch and saw a load of races like the VW cup, the Playstation GT Junior cup, and my uncle's class, the "Track and Race Cars" Magazine SE Saloon class. I managed to get myself one of the TRC stickers that the drivers put on their cars for my table, one of the many stickers I hope to get if I can find any places that do others.

Here's a photo of my whole setup, notice how I've hoovered my carpet :-P.
 
It was basically free as I already had the table.



I plan to make a base to fix the table to and weigh it down rather than all the mags. The pedals will sit on it too. Need to find time but the ring is too good.....
 
Kouki_AE86
my cockpit isn't just fancy crap... almost everything works, it just needs a few things touched up...

"comprehension...?" I think you aren't reading, should read my post all my recent posts on this thread... I've mention several times I have the "e brake" working, the one you call handbrake and has been working way before nurburgring's. its been done on my cockpit since GT3! I'm not electronic engineer but I have extensive knowledge and know what I'm doing. nurburgring's setup uses an extra controller but with mine, I went direct to the DFP. I'd show how its done but I don't have a digital cam.

recent posts:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1803851&postcount=771
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1803887&postcount=773
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1804610&postcount=778

for the gauges, I've done it for computer racing sim games but not for consoles. it "maybe" possible, its worth a try...

as for frex, I try and avoid most aftermarket brands other then the steering wheel its self. my theory, "if you can make it yourself! make it!"

Yep, you`re right! I did a madcatz controller "transformation" before playing (and messing) with the DFP wiring... One day, this hole wiring will be simplified like you did...

By the way, it is great to share our experiences and see the results (and yours is almost the number one, I say almost because you have to put a real steering wheel :) ).

"if you can make it yourself! make it!": this is my philosophy too...

This is my "top list" thread... :) :)
 
nurburgring
Yep, you`re right! I did a madcatz controller "transformation" before playing (and messing) with the DFP wiring... One day, this hole wiring will be simplified like you did...

By the way, it is great to share our experiences and see the results (and yours is almost the number one, I say almost because you have to put a real steering wheel :) ).

"if you can make it yourself! make it!": this is my philosophy too...

This is my "top list" thread... :) :)

almost number one...? I didn't know there was a competition? :) I'm just in it for the cheapest way to get the best simulator experience when I'm not on the actual race track for practice and drift events... saves me a bundle, although its not the real thing playing on the cockpit but at least it gets my racing/drifting obsession out lol...

I still have the steering wheel from the 1988 corolla I took it off of and planned on using it but I'm kinda iffy its going to change the force feed back strength, since its going to have a larger circumference and more weight to the bearing... but I'm not in a hurry, if I can have the actual steering wheel mounted "its going to be a plus!"

the thing that I'd really like to make it my ultimate cockpit, would have to be are 6 huge wide screen TV's, 6 PS2's, 6 GT4 games and use them for multi-screen setup but then that would break the rule of my $10 cheap cockpit. unless I could get them for a dirty cheap or get them for free some how? lol
 
I rly need a plastic seat like the one i posted a page or two back, I had an apprenticeship interview today and the seat I was sitting in was perfect! I kept thinking about how good it would be to have it!!!! lol. When the guy said at the end "do you have any more questions?", I should've said "yea, where do you get these seats, damn they good!".
I've designed a simple mechanism for adjusting the seat as well, here's a crappy drawing in paint lol. \/ \/ \/
chairdesign8ac.png
 
Kouki_AE86
almost number one...? I didn't know there was a competition? :) I'm just in it for the cheapest way to get the best simulator experience when I'm not on the actual race track for practice and drift events... saves me a bundle, although its not the real thing playing on the cockpit but at least it gets my racing/drifting obsession out lol...

I still have the steering wheel from the 1988 corolla I took it off of and planned on using it but I'm kinda iffy its going to change the force feed back strength, since its going to have a larger circumference and more weight to the bearing... but I'm not in a hurry, if I can have the actual steering wheel mounted "its going to be a plus!"

the thing that I'd really like to make it my ultimate cockpit, would have to be are 6 huge wide screen TV's, 6 PS2's, 6 GT4 games and use them for multi-screen setup but then that would break the rule of my $10 cheap cockpit. unless I could get them for a dirty cheap or get them for free some how? lol

I'm sure I must be the least competitive in this forum :) ...
For the steering wheel, I was lucky to have this very light aluminium one!

And I thing it is very important to find a very light one to save the DFP bearings and motors.

I agree, the multiple screens setup would be great... :dunce:
 
how would they work on 6 PS2s? Is their some way of linking them together i a way that they all work in unison?

Oh, and nurburgring, i was wondering how you combined your dfp and controller hack to work as one controller, Did you wire the controller into the dfp or something? I'm rly interested by this kinda stuff, hopefully tomorrow im gonna do some work on my cockpit with the help of r34jse.

peace out,
matt
 
Thank you to the people who already posted here, I needed some ideas on what to make my cockpit look like. Before I made this I had the wheel attached to a chair that made my legs feel cramped and the pedals where sitting flat on the floor.

The black base is 6' X 2'. The red part is about 4' X 2' X 2'. The base and the legs of the red part have holes drilled into them so that the wheel and pedals can be adjusted for length. The seat is from a boat but it serves its purpose. I made up some braces for it so the back is adjustable to 6 different tilts. The pedals have about 1/4" of wiggle in the bracket so the bungee cord is there to hold them tighter. When I was making it I was using a TV that was 3' off the ground, now that I moved my setup I wish I would have mounted the wheel lower and with less of a tilt. The TV I use now is less than 2' off the ground and the steering wheel and angle don't feel right. The iron was just lying around so it was free apart from sandblasting it and painting it. The boat seat hasn't been used in many years so that was also free.

Total cost of everything was about $10 for paint and a couple burnt fingers because I am too lazy to put on a pair of gloves when I am welding.










 
vtec_guy
Oh, and nurburgring, i was wondering how you combined your dfp and controller hack to work as one controller, Did you wire the controller into the dfp or something? I'm rly interested by this kinda stuff, hopefully tomorrow im gonna do some work on my cockpit with the help of r34jse.

peace out,
matt

Even with the DFP plugged on his own special plug, you can keep the controller plugged like the usual way on your PS2 (and it is working normally except for the two "mushrooms" buttons). After that you just have to do the right controller set up in the game.

As I said before, I will removed the controlled and connect all the wires directly to the DFP central module wiring (steering wheel) and the DFP shifter. It will simplify a lot the mess I actually have...
 
Great job you did for $10.00, ThrashTilDeath! 👍

The only thing I will say is that the steering wheel is way too close to your torso.
You will feel more comfy if you move it at least 4 inches away ...
 
nurburgring
Even with the DFP plugged on his own special plug, you can keep the controller plugged like the usual way on your PS2 (and it is working normally except for the two "mushrooms" buttons). After that you just have to do the right controller set up in the game.

As I said before, I will removed the controlled and connect all the wires directly to the DFP central module wiring (steering wheel) and the DFP shifter. It will simplify a lot the mess I actually have...

So the DFP goes into the P1 controller port and the Hacked controller just plugs into the P2 controller port?

Oh, and I built a flip down mini shelf on the side of my setup today for my gloves and tv remote. Ill post a pic of it if anyone cares to look lol.:) :) :)


EDIT: PICS!
Here's some pics, just a handy and cool looking little extra I suppose. I used a small loop of elastic to hold the shelf up and attached it onto the shelf with a board pin that I hammered in to give it a strong hold, I put another board pin on the side of the table for the elastic to hook onto:

 
Here is what im using at home, quite a simple setup but the DFP is very rigid and secure, and the pedles are at a very nice angle for my legs and feet, the TV is small and cr*p quality but it dose the trick.



:)
 
vtec_guy
So the DFP goes into the P1 controller port and the Hacked controller just plugs into the P2 controller port?

Dfp is plugged in the special plug on the top of the other small plug (in the blue zone). And the controller plug is plugged in the left controller port (just under the plug for the memory card no 1), as usual like when you play only with the controller on your PS2.
 
i have a half bunk bed (bed on top and chair that folds out to a bed) and i have a table at the end with the tv on, is there anyway to make a cockpit that would be good on a bed but is low down like in an F1 car,also i would like it to be simple so a 14 year old like me could make it out of wood or something (but not out of metal please!) if thats possible (using speedster 3 steering wheel)
 
vtec guy, i want to know if yopur steering wheel has paddle shift behind the steering wheel like in real F1 cars, or do you have to use the gear stick?
 
can you fit a frex QuickRelease wheel side Ver.2 on your steering wheel? (I am thinking of getting a new steering wheel because my speedstre 3 has broke and i wud like to put one of these on my new steering whee ao i am looking to see if it fits on any other steering wheel apart from a dfp!!!!)

http://www.frex.com/gp/
 
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