///DR's Gran Turismo Cockpit DIY (Updated 8/17/10)\\\

[Delphic Reason]

Fanatec can't give you the dimensions you want? I was really hoping to see your cockpit finished by now . Anyway been awhile since I have been on the forums - Job Transfer. I moved from Cali to New Mexico and I am all settled in, have my toys reconnected and ready to play again.

I will have to mod my cockpit, I need to raise my wheel a few inches. I want to try the heel/toe method but my knee hits the bottom of the wheel mount when I do it.

I've tried to get the dimensions I need from Fanatec, but more often than not, it's tough to get a reply from them. I imagine they have a lot on their plate right now with the imminent release of the Turbo S wheel, and then the release of the Carrera wheel as well. Still, a bit more customer service would be nice.

Not only that, but a friend of mine was laid off a while back, and I've been helping them out (I owed him some money anyway). So, most likely I will have to wait until I receive the wheel, in order to make sure the design is exactly how I have drafted it. (unless another Fanatec wheel owner will unpurse their lips and let some dimensions spill out)

I apologize for the wait. Tough times, stubborn members, and poor customer service have all lead to this project being stalled. Probably won't be able to finish until September (Turbo S is released in late September).

 

[Gnomie]

Dimensions are on the support page

width: 13.4 inch [340 mm]
depth: 12.6 inch [320 mm]
height: 7.9 inch [200 mm]
weight: ~ 10.8 lbs [~ 4.9 kg]

Could someone please tell me the distances between the holes used for hardmounting? I couldn't find them anywhere.

Thanks a lot! I want to get everything ready before it arrives.

 

[Mr Latte]

Reading that youve had to reach out to help someone else in need has endeered me to do so for you.

Check your PM.

 

[Delphic Reason]

UPDATE:

So, I have recieved my wheel and pedals. The long wait is finaly over. I went down to the hardware store and purchased the last of the wood I will need (besides some wood for skinning later on) to finish the cockpit frame. Therefore, I will be mocking up the dimensions today, and hopefully getting the frame finished by the end of the week. I will update the first post with my progress.

Stay tuned...

 

[Delphic Reason]

UPDATE:

After much delay, here is a sneak peak at the final cockpit (minus panels/paint):

Currently with Standard Pedals, as I am awaiting delivery of the CSP's

Side view of Shifter Mount

Close up of Shifter Mount

A full writeup of the 2nd half of the cockpit build will be added to the first post, when I get back from the holidays.

Merry Christmas GTP!

 

[Cougar23]

Nice cockpit you've made there Delphic Reason. 👍 It looks very clean and well made compared to alot of wooden cockpit's I have seen. Can't wait to see it painted and with Panels.

Cheers, Cougar23

 

[Timppaq]

Good Job 👍

 

[Delphic Reason]

Thanks guys... 👍

It looks very clean and well made compared to alot of wooden cockpit's I have seen.

Thank you.

Aesthetics were high on my priorities (right behind ergonomics). The design has been in the works for almost a year, so it's been through a few itterations before it became what you see above. The layout is based on the interior dimensions of a Porsche 911 (993), both due to the comfort of said car (friend owns one), and being a Porsche branded wheel, it seemed fitting.

I will be adding panels to some sections (both for looks and stability), and of course painting (black with red accents, and big GTPlanet logo )

 

[Mr Latte]

Hey, come on lets be seeing more and have you got side panels etc.
I think with a few of us doing projects all together it can only help promote others to get inspiration and do the same.

 

[Delphic Reason]

Hey, come on lets be seeing more and have you got side panels etc.
I think with a few of us doing projects all together it can only help promote others to get inspiration and do the same.

You're absolutely right. I have some time off, currently (fractured ankle), so I will take some more pictures (of both cockpits in the house). I have yet to add the panels because I had been working on the second cockpit.

Furthermore, now that I'm a tester for Fanatec, I'm going to want to pick up a set of CSP's again and invert them, following your tutorial. I want to be ready to test out the CS Shifter and CS Handbrake. BTW, what is your username on GTF?

EDIT:

As requested. Here are some pictures of one of my two unfinished cockpits...

Since I have some time off due to a skateboarding accident, I will work on the paneling for both cockpits, and hopefully be able to have them painted (black) before the end of the month.

After they are painted I will most likely be inverting a set of CSP's into one of the cockpits. Leaving the other cockpit open for another wheel/pedal set (probably a G25 with upgraded wheel rim/paddles).

After that, a handbrake will be built into the cockpit (Fanatec has one in the works), and the standard H-Gate shifter will be replaced by the CS Shifter, most likely due to be released first quarter of next year.

Let me know what you think...

 

[Mr Latte]

👍
Looks well made have to say...
You should of fell of you skateboard sooner, lol.
Hope your not in too much pain.

Only part Im not so sure about is that 45 degree support for the gear stand, mmm might get in the way....

Q. Is that part of the Fanatec table clamp? Are you for using the clamp on the main bench for the wheel to allow adjustments?

 

[Delphic Reason]

👍
Looks well made have to say...
You should of fell of you skateboard sooner, lol.
Hope your not in too much pain.

No pain, just 5 weeks in a cast. 1 week left to go.

Only part Im not so sure about is that 45 degree support for the gear stand, mmm might get in the way....

Not remotely in the way, but I can understand why you would think so. You would never know it's there, because it's no where near your legs. In the picture, the seat is back. When the seat is moved forward for use, the support is almost under the seat. Even when the seat is fully back, the support is completely unnoticeable.

Q. Is that part of the Fanatec table clamp? Are you for using the clamp on the main bench for the wheel to allow adjustments?

I may end up with a table clamp in the future. Right now, the wheel tray is angled just so to offer the best wheel placement. There really isn't any need for adjustment, currently. However, later on I do plan on purchasing a CSTC, both for added adjust-ability, (mostly for other people using the cockpit) and to have a nice solid place to mount the sequential shifter.

 

[Timppaq]

Looks really tidy 👍

 

[Delphic Reason]

Looks really tidy 👍

Thank you!

 

[Mr Latte]

Okay good to hear that part of wood isnt in the way.

Last thing you want is to trip over it and fall again

 

[Delphic Reason]

Okay good to hear that part of wood isnt in the way.

Last thing you want is to trip over it and fall again

You're telling me...

EDIT: I have updated the first post with all the pictures that were on various pages. I will add measurements and more instruction tomorrow (4/14/10)...

EDIT: I have just updated the first post with detailed instructions including measurements and pictures, for the front section of the cockpit...

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=116737

Tomorrow I will add instructions for the shifter mount. Then later in the week I will add the panels...

 

[eSZee]

Is there anything supporting the seat bracket from the bottom? It just looks like the seat sits on the front and rear 1x2s, which themselves aren't attached to any support, just the side 1x2s. Is that right?
Red are the only supports fo the front and rear I see. Blue is the area that has no support.

 

[Delphic Reason]

Is there anything supporting the seat bracket from the bottom? It just looks like the seat sits on the front and rear 1x2s, which themselves aren't attached to any support, just the side 1x2s. Is that right?
Red are the only supports fo the front and rear I see. Blue is the area that has no support.

Good eye. Although not entirely correct. The red highlighted screw on the frame of the base is wrong. That's just holding the frame together. The supporting screws are the two on the side in the picture.

There is a small amount of give, but it just makes it more comfortable. I weigh about 160lbs, and there is less than an 8th of an inch of deflection. That could have something to do with the wood I am using as well (Birch). However, I will be adding a Buttkicker mount under the seat. The mount will be built off of the supports that were initially going to be placed under the area you highlighted in blue. I held off on the supports because...

A. The current setup supports up to about 200lbs easily with little to no give.
B. I want to wait till the Buttkicker arrives, so I can provide detailed instructions on building the supports with the BK unit in mind.

I definitely plan on updating the first post tomorrow (or the 18th i.e after the F1 Race) with instructions on adding the shift mount. So, stay tuned for that...

 

[Delphic Reason]

UPDATE (4/15/10):

I have updated the first post with instructions on building the pedal tray (totally spaced it ).

I also added a few more pictures to some of the other descriptions to help clarify my instructions.

I will add instructions on the shifter mount the 18th or 19th (after the Formula 1 Race).

 

[eSZee]

Good eye. Although not entirely correct. The red highlighted screw on the frame of the base is wrong. That's just holding the frame together. The supporting screws are the two on the side in the picture.

Ok, edited the picture.
Each circled screw shows which area it's supporting/attaching to. As you can see, it looks like the red screws and boards aren't secured to the green, main supports. The red boards are connected to the small green boards which are then connected to the main supports.

 

[Masi_23]

Ever considered Buttkicker? Im not sure how you'll be able it to use one though because of all the wood...

 

[Delphic Reason]

Ok, edited the picture.
Each circled screw shows which area it's supporting/attaching to. As you can see, it looks like the red screws and boards aren't secured to the green, main supports.

Why would they be? That wouldn't make any sense. Why would the front screws (holding the frame together) be attached to the supports? Those 2 side screws, (8 in total) provide a HUGE amount of support. Those front screws just hold the frame together. Am I missing something? Pretty rudimentary carpentry.

Ever considered Buttkicker? Im not sure how you'll be able it to use one though because of all the wood...

Read the first post...

I am indeed going to be implementing a Buttkicker into the cockpit. I will be detailing how this is done in the first post, as soon as I have the device in my hands.

 

[Mr Latte]

Cheers for the updated pics.
Great that your considering a BK more sim builders need to go this route as a sub speaker under the seat isnt as good or the same.


"Patata / Potato"

 

[Delphic Reason]

Cheers for the updated pics.

Great that your considering a BK more need to go this route as a sub speaker under the seat isnt as good or the same.

"Patata / Potato"

Absolutely.

Once you have used a BK unit in your rig, it's hard to go back. As they said in the ISR BK review, you feel like you're racing "numb" without it.

 

[jswilli1]

Nice Build DR, very heavy duty and built to last some long hours of driving! I could not go back to driving without the BK it just doesn't feel right with out it. I looked over your pics and have a few ideas for mounting the BK. Since your rig is in two pieces you have a few options for mounting. If you used the Wireless BK I would not use the floor mount and just attach it to the bottom of your seat or seat mount. Since the Wireless BK comes with 5 rubber isolaters you could mount 4 of them to the bottom of your seat platform. The only disadvantage is it will raise your seat/platform about 3/4" to 1" from your wheel/pedal platform. BK sells the isolaters for about $10 US for a pack of four and you could use those on your wheel/pedal platform to even it out. You could try the BK without the isolators but I think you would lose some "Feel" as the vibration would be transferred to the floor. I like to feel the "road vibration" in my wheel and stick while driving when playing GT5P, if you prefer this setup you just need have the two sections of the rig touching but again Isolated from the floor.

If you just wanted to isolate the BK to your seat, I would place the rubber Isolators underneath your seat rails, but still it will raise you about 3/4" even after bolting down and compressing the isolators. Once you get the BK you will be able to try it in several different configurations until you find the one you like. One other thing to consider is if you place the isolators under the two sections of the rig it will make it a bear to move across the floor due to the weight of the rig and the rubber isolators. On my chair I just place my isolators under the legs, I take them out when I need to slide it across the room. My chair has some little plastic nub feet that fit perfectly in the holes of the isolators which keeps them in place when sitting and driving. The plastic nub feet also help the chair slide across the floor especially when everything is attached the chair is very heavy.

 

[Delphic Reason]

Originally, I had planned to have the two sections separate. However, now that I have a spot where the cockpit will stay indefinitely, the two sections will be bolted together (they were always going to be connected, but now they won't be disconnected at any point).

I will end up with a BK Wireless kit, but for now the newly redesigned BK Gamer is going to be installed under the seat, using the seat mount, and a couple supports to help further support the seat (making it even more rigid, thus transferring more vibration to my bum). The design I have in mind will transfer some of the energy to the front section. As you said, isolators are key. I will be purchasing 6-8 isolators for this build to keep the vibrations in the right place.

Stay tuned...

Nice Build DR, very heavy duty and built to last some long hours of driving!

It's incredibly solid. I'm amazed just how rigid it ended up once everything was tightened down.

Speaking of...

Time to set it up in front of the 52" and run some laps in GT4...

 

[eSZee]

Why would they be? That wouldn't make any sense. Why would the front screws (holding the frame together) be attached to the supports? Those 2 side screws, (8 in total) provide a HUGE amount of support. Those front screws just hold the frame together. Am I missing something? Pretty rudimentary carpentry.



Read the first post...

I am indeed going to be implementing a Buttkicker into the cockpit. I will be detailing how this is done in the first post, as soon as I have the device in my hands.

I'm either not seeing all the screws or you definitely are missing something.

 

[Delphic Reason]

I'm either not seeing all the screws or you definitely are missing something.

You are the one that highlighted them...

If you read through the build (first post) there shouldn't be any confusion.

You highlighted the parts, I told you clearly what they are for and where they connect (on top of all this being explained in the first post), and you're still confused?

Not sure what I can do for ya, bro...

The seat base was built using a very simple rudimentary carpentry design (making it simple for people to build) This kind of box setup is used in many facets of carpentry. We used to build skate boxes (skateboarding obstacle) in the same method, when I worked for a skateboard company (Plan B). I still have one of the boxes we built 5 years ago, and even after jumping up and down on it thousands of times with a skateboard (or "my head" as it was in one case) it's still just as strong as when it was built.

It all has to do with distribution of weight. You don't need a huge amount of support when you build with simplicity/weight distribution in mind. That being said, the seat base is by far the most rigid (and comfortable at the same time) that I have sat in. Much nicer than my Obutto, or what I used to use before that...... *shudders* Playseat Evo *shudders*

Furthermore, you have to look at the big picture. There will be added supports under the seat, but that is more geared towards making the BK transfer it's energy efficiently. Beyond that, there will also be paneling around the outside of the seat base (adding even more structural stability).

 

[Timppaq]

Maybe there is a screw missing from somewhere?

 

[Delphic Reason]

Maybe there is a screw missing from somewhere?

Don't you start now...