I have 2 weeks and $300 to make 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 :scared:
-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
-Finding a <$300 seat (including shipping and rails) that is (picture 1 not picture 2).
-Logistical setup and construction

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

1
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4171/podblack001.jpg
2
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7297/img6260m.jpg

I have this image:
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/6408/standdims.jpg

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. :):tup:

[lesthegringo]

Go to a scrapyard and get a seat from a scrapped off performance car - it'll come with an adustable runner so you can move front to back, and if it's a good one, up and down movement too. As a new seat won't cost more than 300, they won't charge you more than 60% of new, so you should still have over $100 left. Remember that deep buckets look good, but the side bolsters don't have to do anything, so what may look like a bit of a flat seat won't harm your gaming one little bit.

The high performance Subarus, Hondas, Mitsubishis, Nissans and Eurpoean cars will all have ones you can use

[hog075]

Go to a scrapyard and get a seat from a scrapped off performance car - it'll come with an adustable runner so you can move front to back, and if it's a good one, up and down movement too. As a new seat won't cost more than 300, they won't charge you more than 60% of new, so you should still have over $100 left. Remember that deep buckets look good, but the side bolsters don't have to do anything, so what may look like a bit of a flat seat won't harm your gaming one little bit.

The high performance Subarus, Hondas, Mitsubishis, Nissans and Eurpoean cars will all have ones you can use



this is a good idea i did this for mine i got a ford focus seat with the runners and height adjustability and heated seat if i can work out how to heat the matrix i could use the heated seat feature, and i got it for 20 great British pounds so if you quite the budged for your seat it would be more costafective to buy one from a scrap yard and have it re trimmed.

here is a link to a cockpit building site where you could get some ideas on building a rig

http://www.thewayiplay.com/mainforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=66078622d9d225b0eafe295cec0b50 44&board=2.0

[fisher racing]

Go to a scrapyard and get a seat from a scrapped off performance car - it'll come with an adustable runner so you can move front to back, and if it's a good one, up and down movement too. As a new seat won't cost more than 300, they won't charge you more than 60% of new, so you should still have over $100 left. Remember that deep buckets look good, but the side bolsters don't have to do anything, so what may look like a bit of a flat seat won't harm your gaming one little bit.

The high performance Subarus, Hondas, Mitsubishis, Nissans and Eurpoean cars will all have ones you can use

This is how i got my seat.
I have a 2007 Subaru WRX seat. It came out of a write off. :-P

It has 8 way power adjustment (connected to a 12v battery charger)
Still has the side air bag (hope I dont need it.):laugh:

Its very comfortable for long sessions.:thumbup:

You could find a very nice seat. Good luck..;-)

[Stigasawus]

Went the same road, ended up with 2, L & R, spare for next attempt & only wish to add, you'll have change to buy a seat cover to take it from ordinary to flash, & probably washable too. In my case, a bit of trial & error meant a few more holes but black paint makes all semi-invisible & the rest are there for weight reduction arent they!