In 2 weeks and $300 I need a cockpit. (need advice)

[paskowitz]

That is my goal (go to the bottom of the post).

What I have:
-2 weeks before I go to school
-G25:tup:
-$300 (for a seat and any extra wood)
-Lots of wood
-Lots of saws

What I want:
-A sim cockpit made of wood
-Fits well
-Is slightly adjustable
-Classy, not rag tag

What I need help with:
-Measurements (got this figured - the seat)
-Finding a <$300 seat (including shipping and rails) that is (picture 1 not picture 2).
-Logistical setup and construction (I have all the parts in my barn)

I have been doing some planning for a week and basically the direction I want to go in is this:

1

2

I have this image:

Which seems to be a relatively close match to what I want to make. BUT! I am 6ft 3in tall with very long arms and legs and to me driving position is very important (ie about 3-4 inches of error). Obviously any forward and back distance is relatively inconsequential due to the fact that most seats come with sliders and that I would most likely make the seat and the wheel/pedal parts separate thus giving me the ability to further adjust that distance.

The measurement that is killing me is the distance between my hands and my bottom. Since this distance is vertical it would be almost nonadjustable. Also I do not know what position my backside will be in since I have no idea what seat I am getting. Also I would like my overall position to be lower with the pedals higher and the wheel lower as well. Which basically throws everything off.

So why not just get the seat first? Well I have not found one yet and if I cannot complete this in time I will be unable to start again for another 2-3 months.

What I really need help with is the seat. I only have $300 of spare change (obviously +/- a small amount). I live on the east coast (NY/PA). What I am finding is shipping is KILLING me. I find a $200-300 seat and then I get slammed with $100+ of shipping and $50-100 for the rails. Before you know it you are up to $350-400. If anyone knows a seat manufacturer or store near NY or PA please let me know.

So what I am really asking for is any and all help. Particularly if you are around 6'3'' and have a sim cockpit similar to the ones pictured above. If something needs further explaining or is not clear please tell me. Thank you for your time. 👍

 

[VRracer]

Did you look into the Microsim Mk2 Racebase.
It is a lower to the ground F1 type cockpit but it is DIY so give it a look.
http://www.thewayiplay.com/mainforum/index.php?topic=894.0

 

[paskowitz]

Did you look into the Microsim Mk2 Racebase.
It is a lower to the ground F1 type cockpit but it is DIY so give it a look.
http://www.thewayiplay.com/mainforum/index.php?topic=894.0

That looks alright. I sent the guy an email. Still would prefer a raised setup.

 

[nick09]

You could get in your car(if you own one of course) and have a friend measure you. That way you could build a cockpit that fits you.

 

[paskowitz]

You could get in your car(if you own one of course) and have a friend measure you. That way you could build a cockpit that fits you.

I already did that. Except my car (IE the car my parents own, but I drive) is a 99 Acura TL. And well, I barely fit in it and my driving position is all sorts of wrong. No matter what I can never get in the right position. I have to open the sun roof screen in order for my head not to touch the roof . I just found ericleroi's thread about his pod. This luckily gives me enough on the measurements side but I still need to find a seat.

 

[Biggles]

I'm not sure what you're really asking here. I am the owner of a Playseat Evo, which I thoroughly recommend. However, if I were going to build my own cockpit, I would be looking to get a car seat from a car wreckers yard. Surely they would have a variety of seats available at a modest price that you could integrate into a home-made cockpit??

 

[nick09]

Don't worry I'm in the same boat. I'm 6'1" and I can barely fit into a ford escort(car I'm driving) with the seat all the way to the back. When I'm in my brother's '97 civic my head hits the sunroof with no headroom.

You could just go to a junkyard and go run around trying seats. You should be able to take the runners from them too.

 

[VRracer]

"That looks alright. I sent the guy an email. Still would prefer a raised setup"


Some have built a platform to put it on which gets it up off the ground.
I have also seen someone else that modded the plans to make it higher off the ground without the use of a platform.

 

[paskowitz]

I am definitely going to check out some scrap yards. Hopefully some kid wrecked his riced out civic or evo. I saw some Ferrari F430 Scuderia seats online from a crash but they were like 9k. With all the Ferrari 458 Italias burning down these days maybe one has a surviving seat the owner would be willing to donate to a noble cause. Ok maybe thats pushing my luck.

 

[gslooney]

Not an Answer to the seat question, but this may also be worth following up.. Again you could mount the whole assembly on a base to make it higher..

http://www.firetooth.net/wiki/PastProjects/Cockpit

 

[paskowitz]

OP updated.

 

[ericleroi]

Looks great btw! 👍

 

[cschoei]

The last two pics you posted are my cockpit. I'm 6'4" and those dimensions are perfect for me so I'd recommend you stay fairly close to that.

As far as the seat I would check craigslist in your area and be ready to grab something quick if it comes up. I found some really nice corbeau and sparco seats in my area but ended up going with a '94 miata passenger seat because of the included rails and reclining back. I think I paid around $140 and had to drive 2 hours out.

Definitely try to get a seat with rails on it so other people can use it too.

Feel free to pm me if you need any other dimensions or pictures of my stand.

 

[paskowitz]

Picking up a Sparco America seat tomorrow for $140 off of craigslist. So basically a racing cockpit for $140... not bad.