Firehuntah's DIY Sim Rig

[Carson79]

Any time I bought a new wheel I had to make updates to the rig. I went from a DFGT to a T500rs (excellent wheel) the pedals and wheelbase were a lot bigger so I just built a new rig.
Then I went to the CSW and CSP V2's, but I built the rig in such a way that both the pedals and wheel base sections would be easily adjustable.
I felt the same about tactile in the beginning, but I got a Tax rebate and bought some aura pro bass shakers and a second hand amplifier, then I was hooked!
I've 10 different shakers in the rig now as well as a 1500w subwoofer and about 6 amps
All for GT5 and GT6 when it comes

Perhaps you could just drill some pilot holes through the pedals and then screw the pedals to the floor?

 

[Firehuntah]

Well I don't mind making a few changes still, it's just that I need to be done with it in 2 weeks before GT6 comes out.
And who knows, maybe in the future I'll look into some more stuff like the buttkickers. But for now I just want to keep it simple and cheap like this.

Unfortunately I can't get these pedals any lower in the position they are right now. The potentiometers are at the bottom of it and so is the part that keeps the pedals in place. I can't cut it any shorter. So if I want to use these pedals I have to find a way to get them inverted. Or go the easy way and do that G27 upgrade after all.. Prices aren't too bad for 2nd hand. The T500RS is a bit too expensive for me, though I'm sure it's a great wheel. Again, maybe in the future. Or any new official GT wheel for the PS4 at that time.

Guess I'll take apart the DFGT pedals tomorrow and see what I can come up with to invert them, would be the cheapest solution.

 

[Firehuntah]

I tried to find a way to get those DFGT pedals inverted. Let's just say I failed and leave it at that. They unfortunately ended up in the trash. I'm still sure it could be done though, but you'd have to be very good at plastic welding which I'm not. Or build some custom mounts to keep them in place but it's just too much work really. And then the question would be if it's worth it with the plastic paddles.

So what I did was go the easy way and buy a G27 after all. I'm just going to hope it'll stay supported with GT on the PS4. But I don't really see why not since they currently still support PS2 wheels on the PS3 as well.

First thing I did was fix the carpet since I cut out a hole for the DFGT pedals. Luckily I still had a left over piece that was big enough to replace that whole area. While it's 2 parts now it's really hard to see.

Today I already received the G27. I must add, best decision ever. It really feels great and is a very nice quality wheel. Very heavy too, the pedals at least, compared to the DFGT.

While I have to change quite a few things on the rig now, the first thing I did was connect everything and try a few Nurburgring runs again in GT5. I was really amazed at how smooth and silent this wheel is compared to the DFGT. And the pedals are just awesome. If GT6 wasn't coming out so soon I'd really be playing GT5 very much again since with this wheel it's a whole new experience, especially with the clutch and shifter. No idea why I waited so long to make this upgrade. I'm very glad that I did now.

So after playing with it for a while I really had to stop and get to work on the rig again, only have 2 weeks to get it all ready! I've already taken the pedals out of the case to reverse mount them.

Also made a plate for them already, just need to check my car and see how to mount them in the right position tomorrow. Want to get it as close as possible again. I just don't know how I'll mount the shifter yet, probably close to how it's mounted on the Ricmotech RS1.

So yeah, more updates soon.

 

[MrDavid5465]

I found that a comfortable position for the shifter is about 13 inches from the top of your base, 12-13 inches from the centreline of the wheel to the centreline of your shifter, and 4-5 inches forward from the mounting surface edge of the wheel to the mounting surface edge of the shifter.
For the pedals I found that the pedals are good mounted 6-7 inches from the top of your base to the bottom mounting hole of the pedals, and at 30-40 degree angle from vertical. And congrats on getting the g27! You definitely won't regret your purchase.

 

[Carson79]

Congrats on your new wheel! Getting new gear is always exciting
It does change how you experience the game too. I'd say get to work fast and start getting to know your wheel, pedals and shifter on GT5. Then you'll know the differences in GT5 and GT6 better.

 

[Firehuntah]

Thanks again! Yeah I was really happy when it arrived, I just had to try it out right away.

And thanks MrDavid for the positions. I'm trying to get the same positions as in my own car though. Not really measuring much, just going by feel while holding the things in place. Seems to be working out pretty well so far.

I'm really trying to get it all done quickly as I indeed want some time with it in GT5 to compare with GT6. But I think I'll definately have a few days, maybe a week as I already have the pedals in place.

I couldn't put screws in from the outside anymore since everything's painted so I made some blocks to go on the inside. The pedals' plate mounts on there with bolts and wood inserts (same things as I used for the seat).

Position is just perfect for me, got it pretty much the same as in my own car again. Don't know yet if I'll add a dead pedal, hardly ever leave my foot on there while driving a car anyway. Just still have to reinforce the plate a bit on the back since it bends slightly when pressing the brake pedal but can do that before painting it still.

Going to continue with the shifter now.

 

[Carson79]

Looking great, it makes a big difference having a clutch and H pattern shifter.
I've bought and installed those insert nuts and allen head counter sunk bolts. Great things lol wish I'd used them sooner!

 

[Interlagos_23]

Hey Firehuntah,

Nice cockpit you build there!
Especially the working headlights are cool feature too!

Laters!

 

[MrDavid5465]

something you should consider before painting the pedal board is a dead pedal. It's nice to have so that you have a comfortable place to put your foot when in the higher gears that's close to the clutch for when you need to use it. That way you won't trail the clutch. Mine makes a world of difference in comfort

 

[Firehuntah]

Thanks.

Nice to know those inserts are working well for you as well Carson, they're really good to use indeed. Is a lot stronger than screws and easy to take apart again with bolts.

Yeah MrDavid, I'm considering a dead pedal but as I said I don't leave my foot on there often in real cars either so I don't know what I'd do in my rig. Just not sure how to make it.. like if it's the same position as the gas pedal. Guess I'll have to check in my car again tomorrow. I could still add it later though.


I'm done with the shifter mount now as well. It's pretty much the same as with the Ricmotech RS1, just that mine is mounted different and bit different design. This is what I made first.

However after drilling holes and mounting it I noticed it wobbled way too much for my liking. So I decided to make it a bit stronger by adding a plate on the back and another small one at the top for better looks.

While it definately did improve, it still wobbles a bit. I guess it's just because of the way I mounted it and the movement is at the top. It's acceptable though I think. No idea how to really make it more stable now anyway.
Also added a switch for the headlights, easier to turn them on and off while driving.

Just finishing everything now, added some mdf filler to all screw holes and gaps.

Sanding and rounding off edges tomorrow. Can paint after that so it should be done pretty quickly. Just still have to get some different bolts and rings as I used some placeholder bolts and rings for the pedals and shifter.

 

[MrDavid5465]

Nice Mount man. I might have to steal that switch Idea, I was thinking of putting LED lights over my feet and that is the perfect place to put the switch

 

[Firehuntah]

Sure go ahead, it's not patented. Didn't know where else to place it but it turned out to be a good position indeed, easy to reach and not in the way of anything.

 

[Firehuntah]

Everything is done again now!

Here's the pedals' plate and shifter mount painted.

Pedals mounted and wired up. I bought some adhesive cable clamps to keep all of the cables in place.

Shifter and headlight switch mounted.

Took me some time to hide the cables underneath the wheel, such a nice feature of the G27 though.

Shifter on the rig.

And also pedals on the rig.

Here you can see it all and how I tidied up the cables. Really like these adhesive cable clamps, I had to place 2 at the front plate though as I couldn't fit all wires into 1. Should've ordered some bigger ones. I just split up the wiring for the headlights and for the G27 now.

The shifter and wheel are also hard mounted, will never have to worry about clamps coming loose like this (have had it happen with my DFGT while racing).

Ofcourse I booted up GT5 right after mounting everything, chose the Subaru BRZ at the Nurburgring 24H track and I was seriously stunned. Everything is so great and at just the perfect position. It really felt natural to use these pedals and the shifter, as if I was driving in my own car. Just that the clutch feels very different and have to get used to shifting at the right time to avoid getting stuck in neutral. But it really changes the game so much. Going to play a lot of GT5 again this week before GT6 comes out next friday, I'm just having a blast with it again. Haven't enjoyed GT5 this much since a long time. I'm sure with GT6 I will really enjoy the new physics and everything a lot more with the G27 now than if I would've kept using the DFGT. It was such a great choice, already worth the money for me now.

As for the rig itself, it was a pretty long and very fun build. And also not really expensive. Even with the headlights, switch, USB adapter and cable clamps I managed to keep it under 200 euros (and around 150 euros for just the rig without those extra's ). Remember this price is basically without a seat though as I got mine for free. But it's way cheaper than a production rig and in my opinion a lot better looking. Also I don't think the cheapest production rigs are as stable as this. So while it takes quite some time and tools to make something like this it's definately worth it in the end.

Still one week away from GT6, I'm ready for it!

 

[Carson79]

Really great job, it's so satisfying building your own rig.
A change of wheels really changes the game, then add a shifter and it really is amazing.
Enjoy GT5 for the next week

 

[Firehuntah]

Thanks! It definately is very satisfying yeah.

Already getting used to the clutch and shifter, getting less misshifts now. I'm just still a lot faster with the paddles. But I guess you can't be faster with the clutch and shifter anyway, it just feels more realistic in most of the old and low powered cars.

Actually doing GT5 seasonals now, so much fun. Haven't done these since a few months.

 

[YukinoSuzuka]

Nice improvements through this topic. Send you an DM about the DFGT on the first page and ending up here and you've a G27 and a lovely rig

Maybe ad a Dioder led strip from Ikea to make the rig more funky ?

 

[LeadFootLiam]

This inspires me to make my own cockpit. Very well done!

 

[Firehuntah]

Thanks you both!

Been thinking about adding a led strip but since I have GT6 now I'll only be looking at the screen anyway. Maybe in the future when I'll add some other stuff too. Thinking about adding a handbrake as well, it's kind of hard to use in game right now with the G27. With the DFGT I always used the seq. shifter for the handbrake (and reverse), was a bit easier.

Nice to hear this rig is inspiring. If you really play a lot and you have the space for it I'd say go for it! It's a really great experience racing in a rig, very comfortable too.

 

[Firehuntah]

Thought I'd update this thread a little bit.

The G27 that you can see in the pictures above was already replaced a long time ago by the G29 when I got my PS4. Didn't make any modications since then since it was pretty much the exact same wheel. I only highered the whole sim rig a bit by adding some wooden blocks below it. I'm now looking at the center of my screen, much better for my neck.

Few days ago I did get another upgrade though, the Thrustmaster T-GT. Made some modifications for that as there was no easy way to take the pedals out of the base and invert mount them directly to my rig. The whole pedal base is now invert mounted to it. Just the shifter mount is now empty. Still deciding what to do with it. Maybe I'll get the TH8A shifter but I think it's a bit too expensive and I don't actually use a shifter that much, I like the paddles more. So maybe I'll just turn it into a mount for the PS4 controller and my phone or something.

 

[Napalm_LT]

What car seat do you use?

 

[Firehuntah]

What car seat do you use?

It's a RaceSport seat. Quite a nice one as it fits me perfectly. Just during long sessions it's not the most comfortable seat but it is a little bit better now with the T-GT since I had to move it back a bit and using a different angle for the back. Or it could just be because I'm getting older, I don't know. I'd love to get the same seat that's in my real car but they're way too expensive unfortunately. It has a lot more comfort. But yeah, other than that I've had no issues with the RaceSport seat in the years I've used it. It's very easy to mount it to a rig.