Expansion of a Driving Simulator

This video details the concepts and design decisions used in developing the dashboard and 8-speed shifter expansion to the DIY Driving Cockpit. It details the design elements, reasoning, and features of the design in an effort to assist other DIY project builders who are developing their own version of my Simulator Sled design. The basis of the design ergonomics were derived from an actual 2005 BMW M3.

The overview of the driving cockpit can be found at the original YouTube video:

   • Home Built Sim Racing Cockpit 2011  

The overview of the design details can be found at this YouTube video:

   • Anatomy of a Driving Simulator  

This expansion design is self contained and drop in ready. It includes a physical dashboard and 8-speed shifter.

The entire construction cost of the expansion was approximately $800 and the details are described in this video.

Total build time was approximately 2 weeks.

Photographs of the expansion can be found here:

http://lagnese.me/Hub/Photo_Albums/Pa...

Blueprints (free) for the expansion can be found here:

http://lagnese.me/Hub/Simulator_Expan...


The specifications of the simulator sled:

Height 46"
Length: 65"
Width: 60" (assuming 45 degree monitor rake)
Weight: 190 lbs. (without monitors)

Seat travel: 10" fore and aft, 20 degree tilt in 5 degree increments
Pedal travel: 12" fore and aft, 0-30 degree tilt in 5 degree increments (from 10-30 degrees)
Steering travel: 16" fore and aft, up to 12" up and down, 30 degree wheel pitch, 30 degree steering shaft pitch
Monitor travel: 8" up and down from center point, accommodates up to three 30" monitors, individual monitor pitch 180 degree, yaw 60 degrees.