By examining tons of pictures, shared plans, and consumer sim rig manuals I decided to make my attempt to design my own aluminum profile cockpit.
Built in May-CAD software (free for Windows operating system)
- Install every simracing hardware
- Customizable
- Compact size
- Affordable (much cheaper than production ones)
This is a slight combination of Sim Lab GT1 EVO and P1-X sim racing cockpits with some additions to replace fabricated pedal plates and wheel and shifter mounts.
The main point was to create a reasonable affordable and compact plan but rigid and symmetric.
It's all built with 40 mm anodized aluminum extrusion also known as 8020 and applies for mounting wheelbase, pedals in a rotated position, h-shifter, handbrake, monitor, and possible sequential shifter.
Hardware this rig was primarily designed for:
- Thrustmaster T500RS
- Thrustmaster T3PA-PRO
- Thrustmaster TH8A
- Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod
- DIY Button Box
- Samsung S29E790C
So for the base, I took a 40x80 profile with 1200mm length besides 1350mm using in Sim Lab's cockpits. It better suits my height and room place cause I don't need any additional adjustment range in my pedals and for the tallest driver better to push back seat. The wheelbase podium made again with a 40x80 profile it is quite enough even for direct drive wheels with an appropriate amount of torque, the two 40x40 bars made for setting wheel position.
The side frame for shifter and handbrake copies P1-X height and length and can be easily inverted for right-hand drivers. The additional 200 mm stripes use for adjusting and rotating shifter and handbrake to meet driver ergonomics.
For pedal plate created a square frame with 40x40 profiles supporting gt- and formula-style mounting solution with two height columns borrowed from GT1 Evo cockpit to adjust pedals angle and height. Right now I have T3PA pedals inverted like in a real road car (GT style) and I tried it to set like formula one and it fits perfectly while setting the right angle.
Also, I like when the monitor is placed as close as possible to the wheel to form an immersive field of view, like a see and touch the real wheel but the dash and windshield of the car rendered in a game. So I integrated the monitor stand, was afraid that it can wobble with strong force feedback but nothing serious. The stand consists of two 40x40 profiles long and two crossbars adjustable for every VESA mount, didn't calculate max load but my 32-inch ultrawide monitor sits rock solid.
At the bottom of the rig installed four adjustable feet for leveling the whole construction and protecting the floor from scratches.
In general, I made a light and shorten copy of P1-X using 40x80 (instead of 40x160) with pedals adjustment from GT1 EVO in combination with a monitor stand.
My seat is a replica BRIDE VIOS series with L-brackets but I believe you can easily install any seat from a road car.
And for the price point here's my bill
| Pos. | Item | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Profile 40х80х1200 | 2 |
| 2 | Profile 40х80х500 | 3 |
| 3 | Profile 40х80х580 | 3 |
| 4 | Profile 40х80х200 | 2 |
| 5 | Profile 40х40х500 | 4 |
| 6 | Profile 40х40х440 | 2 |
| 7 | Profile 40х40х420 | 2 |
| 8 | Profile 40х40х200 | 4 |
| 9 | Profile 40х40х240 | 1 |
| 10 | Profile 40х40х700 | 2 |
| 11 | Machining | 25 |
| 12 | Angle GD-Zn, 40x39 | 56 |
| 13 | Angle Bracket 40x40 | 4 |
| 14 | Connection plate 80х120 | 2 |
| 15 | T-Nut for subsequent insertion, M8 | 117 |
| 16 | Cover cap 40х80 | 10 |
| 17 | Cover cap 40х40 | 20 |
| 18 | Hinged Foot M6x18 | 4 |
| 19 | T-Nut for subsequent insertion, М6 | 10 |
| 20 | M8*16, ISO7380 | 120 |
| 21 | M6*16, ISO7380 | 20 |
| 22 | M8*12, ISO7380 | 20 |
| 23 | Washer M8 | 140 |
| 24 | Washer M6 | 20 |
| 25 | Racing seat BRIDE VIOS III | 1 |
This updates are not represented in maycad file.
While my cockpit got new sim racing hardware and I think it is fully done for now I decided to make updates to the initial project, it's not necessary but when you move to direct drive bases must look for additional rigidity. So for now my setup is:
- Moza R9 with 335mm rim;
- Caravangoes pedals;
- Sequential shifter;
- Thrustmaster TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod;
- Thrustmaster TH8A h-pattern shifter;
- DIY Button Box.
I've installed two connecting plates 2 on 4 holes 80x160mm to harden the connection between cockpit base frame and wheel stand. And six angles 40x39 for shifter mounts - two at the top and another two and the bottom and an additional two on the other side of 200mm profile for the shifter and handbrake. Of course, it requires additional t-nuts and bolts. Right now hard to tell the overall count of t-nuts, bolts, and washers but this is my second bill from the factory:
| Pos. | Item | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecting plate 2х4 80х160mm | 2 |
| 2 | T-Nut for subsequent insertion, M8 | 40 |
| 3 | T-Nut for subsequent insertion, М6 | 10 |
| 4 | Angle GD-Zn, 40x39 | 10 |
Make aware it is always better to have some extras for the near future.
And here is a photo of the complete build.
