With sim racing being a highly-subjective discipline when it comes to both software and hardware, it comes as no surprise that every rig looks different - sometimes in small ways, sometimes substantially. And sometimes, you just cannot get what you want or need from what is available for purchase - so a while ago, we asked you to show us your best DIY hardware projects. Now, it is time to shine the spotlight on them.
Small additions to your sim rig can make a lot of differences in some cases - whether that is a DIY handbrake or something like an extension to your wheel's steering column to achieve better monitor placement, they are always fascinating to see. For some, this is not enough, however - complete wheel builds or dashes including button boxes can elevate a setup to the next level and make it one of a kind.
What have RaceDepartment members come up with? We will show you on the follwowing pages. Be sure to let us know your favorite DIY project in the comments below!
Subaru Sim Pedals
DIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Small additions to your sim rig can make a lot of differences in some cases - whether that is a DIY handbrake or something like an extension to your wheel's steering column to achieve better monitor placement, they are always fascinating to see. For some, this is not enough, however - complete wheel builds or dashes including button boxes can elevate a setup to the next level and make it one of a kind.
What have RaceDepartment members come up with? We will show you on the follwowing pages. Be sure to let us know your favorite DIY project in the comments below!
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Carbon Fiber Curved Dashboard Including Center ConsoleSubaru Sim Pedals
DIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Carbon Fiber Curved Dashboard Including Center Console
Image credit: HoiHman on RaceDepartment
Most aluminium profile rigs do not exactly lack mounting options for sim racing accessories like button boxes. However, this was simply not enough for @HoiHman: They created a curved carbon fiber dashboard that not only holds all the switches sim racers could ever ask for, but also a center console including an integrated stream deck and a secondary dash display - in additon to the one behind the steering wheel, of course.
DIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Most aluminium profile rigs do not exactly lack mounting options for sim racing accessories like button boxes. However, this was simply not enough for @HoiHman: They created a curved carbon fiber dashboard that not only holds all the switches sim racers could ever ask for, but also a center console including an integrated stream deck and a secondary dash display - in additon to the one behind the steering wheel, of course.
Continue Reading
Subaru Sim PedalsDIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Subaru Sim Pedals
Image credit: Helldriver on RaceDepartment
Sometimes, things take a while to be realized - but then they are even more impressive: After converting their Subaru from right-hand drive to left-hand drive, @Helldriver had a set of spare pedals - and immediately thought of using them in the sim rig one day.
Fast forward and the pedals found new life: The accelerator uses the original throttle body, the brake uses the clutch cylinder, and a 45-kg spring is used for the clutch. According to Helldriver, "they work like a charm and feel exactly like the real ones in my car."
DIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Sometimes, things take a while to be realized - but then they are even more impressive: After converting their Subaru from right-hand drive to left-hand drive, @Helldriver had a set of spare pedals - and immediately thought of using them in the sim rig one day.
Fast forward and the pedals found new life: The accelerator uses the original throttle body, the brake uses the clutch cylinder, and a 45-kg spring is used for the clutch. According to Helldriver, "they work like a charm and feel exactly like the real ones in my car."
Continue Reading
Carbon Fiber Curved Dashboard Including Center ConsoleDIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
DIY Wheels
Image credit: ZieRobot on RaceDepartment
Notice anything about the image above? The BMW M4 GT3 (middle left) and BMW GT2 (top right) are Fanatec models, the other five, however, have all been custom-made by @ZieRobot. "I simply wanted the wheels I could not buy, the ones in the real cars", they explained. "Adding to that, I found a great joy in researching and learning from the great designers behind the real cockpit components.
@torsteinvh
Subaru Sim Pedals
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Notice anything about the image above? The BMW M4 GT3 (middle left) and BMW GT2 (top right) are Fanatec models, the other five, however, have all been custom-made by @ZieRobot. "I simply wanted the wheels I could not buy, the ones in the real cars", they explained. "Adding to that, I found a great joy in researching and learning from the great designers behind the real cockpit components.
More DIY Wheels
@JLuna26@torsteinvh
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Carbon Fiber Curved Dashboard Including Center ConsoleSubaru Sim Pedals
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Image credit: Peter Winkler on RaceDepartment
Why decide on just one or a few projects when you can build basically everything yourself? That is what @Peter Winkler did. His Rig Report forum thread goes into all the details of his build, which includes an impressive carbon fiber dashboard that looks like it was yanked straight out of a real racing car. The dash includes air vents, buttons, switches, stream decks and more.
Peter is also an avid wheel builder - see below for a selection of his creations.
Subaru Sim Pedals
DIY Wheels
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Why decide on just one or a few projects when you can build basically everything yourself? That is what @Peter Winkler did. His Rig Report forum thread goes into all the details of his build, which includes an impressive carbon fiber dashboard that looks like it was yanked straight out of a real racing car. The dash includes air vents, buttons, switches, stream decks and more.
Peter is also an avid wheel builder - see below for a selection of his creations.
Continue Reading
Carbon Fiber Curved Dashboard Including Center ConsoleSubaru Sim Pedals
DIY Wheels
Full Motorcycle Rig
Full Article
Full Motorcycle Rig
Image credit: Chris Beeves on RaceDepartment
Motorcycle sims are often overlooked in sim racing. There is barely any hardware out there to enjoy the respective titles in a somewhat authentic manner, which means bike racing fans often have to resort to controllers.
This did not do it for @Chris Beeves, though: They wanted more out of their virtual bike racing and took matters into their own hands. The end result: A mighty impressive motorcycle rig, complete with a 4DOF motion platform to simulate pitch, roll and even traction loss. The rig features a dash display behind the windscreen, haptic motors, hydraulic brakes and vibration speakers.
The construction goes even deeper: Not only has Chris managed to implement Force Feedback into the bike handles, but also countersteer emulation and kneepad rumblers - seemingly every imaginable detail is taken care of. A word of warning by the creator, though: "The list [of components] gets longer as time passes. This hobby has no limits!" We are just not sure if realistic wind simulation would be a good idea indoors...
Subaru Sim Pedals
DIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Article
Motorcycle sims are often overlooked in sim racing. There is barely any hardware out there to enjoy the respective titles in a somewhat authentic manner, which means bike racing fans often have to resort to controllers.
This did not do it for @Chris Beeves, though: They wanted more out of their virtual bike racing and took matters into their own hands. The end result: A mighty impressive motorcycle rig, complete with a 4DOF motion platform to simulate pitch, roll and even traction loss. The rig features a dash display behind the windscreen, haptic motors, hydraulic brakes and vibration speakers.
The construction goes even deeper: Not only has Chris managed to implement Force Feedback into the bike handles, but also countersteer emulation and kneepad rumblers - seemingly every imaginable detail is taken care of. A word of warning by the creator, though: "The list [of components] gets longer as time passes. This hobby has no limits!" We are just not sure if realistic wind simulation would be a good idea indoors...
Continue Reading
Carbon Fiber Curved Dashboard Including Center ConsoleSubaru Sim Pedals
DIY Wheels
Carbon Dashboard with Countless DIY Projects
Full Article
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