How to Assemble the SIMGASM Hobby Sim Racing Cockpit
The SIMGASM Hobby is designed to provide an accessible entry into aluminium profile sim racing while retaining the adjustment options needed to create a personal driving position.
Correct assembly is important. Careful alignment of the chassis, pedal deck, seat supports and wheel mount helps you create a stable platform and makes it easier to adjust your simulator once your seat, pedals and wheelbase are installed.
This guide walks you through the complete assembly of the SIMGASM Hobby Sim Racing Cockpit, from installing the rubber feet to configuring the wheel mount. It also covers the optional seat slider, seat brackets and SIMGASM Core seat.
For the clearest possible installation experience, use this article together with the official assembly video and the downloadable PDF manual.
Watch the official assembly video:
Watch the SIMGASM Hobby assembly guide
Download the illustrated manual:
Download the official SIMGASM Hobby Assembly Guide PDF
A downloadable PDF manual for each specific SIMGASM product can also be found on the relevant product page.
Explore the SIMGASM Hobby cockpit range
Before You Begin
Choose a clean, flat surface with enough room to position the full length of the cockpit. A level working area makes it easier to keep the two chassis sides parallel and the uprights square.
Lay out the profiles, plates and hardware in the order in which they will be used. Keep the contents of each hardware bag grouped together and open one bag at a time. This reduces the chance of mixing different bolts or overlooking a component later in the assembly.
During the build, remember these four principles:
- Keep adjustable hardware hand tight until the final position has been confirmed.
- Check the orientation of every profile and plate before tightening it.
- Never force a bolt or T-nut into position.
- Complete the assembly from the base upwards.
The T-nuts can normally be inserted from the open end of a profile. When the end is already closed, a T-nut can also be pushed sideways through the profile slot and rotated into its locking position.
Step 1: Install the Rubber Feet
Begin with the two 92 cm base profiles. These form the left and right sides of the cockpit.
Insert one M6 T-nut near each end of both profiles. Position the four rubber feet with their wide, flat faces against the aluminium profile and secure them using the M6 button head bolts.
Keep the feet slightly inboard from the ends of the profiles. This prevents them from extending beyond the front and rear plates once the chassis base is completed.
Do not fully tighten the feet yet. Leaving them slightly adjustable makes it easier to position the end plates and ensure that the completed base sits level.
Step 2: Fit the Front and Rear End Plates
Connect the two 92 cm profiles using the supplied metal end plates and countersunk bolts.
The SIMGASM logo plate should face the front of the cockpit. Before tightening, check that both side profiles are positioned correctly and that the visible faces are pointing outwards.
Insert both bolts into each end plate before fully tightening either one. This gives the plate enough movement to align naturally with both profiles.
When using a power tool, use a low clutch setting and stop as soon as the plate is seated securely. The manual uses settings 6 to 8 as a reference for a regular power tool, but settings differ between tools. Avoid overtightening the bolts or applying unnecessary force.
Once assembled, place the base upright and confirm that all four rubber feet contact the floor evenly.
Step 3: Install the Seat Frame Plates
The two cross brackets support the seat, seat sliders or seat brackets.
Insert two T-nuts into each side of the chassis and loosely attach the cross brackets using the M8 × 16 button head bolts. Position the slotted sides of the brackets so they remain available for later seat adjustment.
Do not tighten these brackets permanently at this stage. Their final spacing depends on the mounting pattern of your seat and whether you are using seat sliders.
When installing sliders, check their required spacing before locking the cross brackets into position. Both brackets should be parallel and square to the main chassis profiles.
Step 4: Install the Uprights
The two 54 cm profiles form the upright wheel support.
Attach each upright to the base using two corner brackets, T-nuts and countersunk bolts. The two slot face of each profile must point inward, towards the centre of the cockpit. The outside slot should face the shortest end of the chassis, which is the front.
Check that both uprights are vertical and positioned directly opposite each other. Keep the mounting hardware loose enough to allow adjustment.
The uprights should only be fully secured after the brace plate and wheel mount have been installed. Tightening them too early can make it more difficult to align the complete wheel support.
Step 5: Attach the Shifter Arm
The 27 cm shifter profile can be installed on either the left or right side of the cockpit.
Choose the side based on your driving preference and the peripherals you plan to install. The arm is secured with two corner brackets, four T-nuts and four countersunk bolts.
In a standard configuration, the two slot face can point inward. However, the profile may be rotated when you need access to an outside slot for a shifter, handbrake or another accessory.
Leave the arm adjustable until your seat and wheel position are established. The final shifter height and reach should be set while sitting in your actual driving position.
Step 6: Assemble the Pedal Deck
The Hobby pedal deck consists of two side brackets and three 40.7 cm aluminium profiles.
Connect the three profiles to the pedal brackets using the countersunk bolts. Before fully tightening the brackets, compare the profile spacing with the mounting pattern of your pedal set.
Where possible, position the closed surfaces of the profiles upwards. This creates a cleaner surface and reduces the amount of dust that can collect inside the profile slots.
Your pedals can be installed in two main ways:
Direct mounting
Insert T-nuts into the profiles and pass the pedal bolts directly through the pedal base into the T-nuts.
Bottom mounting
Use the optional corner brackets underneath the pedals when the pedal design does not allow convenient direct mounting.
Keep enough adjustment travel available. Do not position all three profiles at the extreme ends of the side bracket slots unless your pedal set specifically requires it.
Step 7: Mount the Pedal Deck to the Chassis
Position the completed pedal deck between the base profiles and uprights.
Use the slots in the side brackets, base and uprights to set the pedal height and angle. The deck should sit square between both sides of the cockpit before the bolts are tightened.
For maximum support, use at least three mounting points per side into the base frame and upright, or position the pedal assembly so that it is supported by the front plate as shown in the official manual.
Do not choose the final pedal angle based only on appearance. Temporarily position your seat and sit in the cockpit before completing the adjustment.
Your knees should remain slightly bent when the pedals are fully depressed. You should also be able to apply maximum braking force without lifting your back away from the seat.
Step 8: Install the Upright Brace Plate
The brace plate connects the two uprights and creates the support structure for the wheel mount.
Insert the required T-nuts into the uprights and secure the plate using the countersunk bolts. Set its initial height based on the expected position of your wheelbase.
The brace plate can also be installed in an inverted orientation when this produces a better wheel mount position. It may additionally be used as a mounting point for the optional SIMGASM PC Shelf Add-On.
Keep the brace plate adjustable until the wheel mount has been test fitted. Check that both sides sit at the same height before tightening.
Step 9: Configure the Wheel Mount
The SIMGASM Hobby supports three wheel mounting configurations:
Side mount
The wheelbase is supported using brackets attached to its left and right sides.
For this configuration, attach the side brackets to the wheelbase before installing the wheelbase onto the cockpit. Access to the wheelbase bolts may become more difficult once the complete mount is positioned between the uprights.
Bottom mount
The wheelbase sits on top of a mounting plate and is secured through its bottom mounting holes.
For the bottom mount configuration, use the middle holes of the adjustable side plates.
Front mount
The wheelbase is secured through mounting points on its front face.
The side and front configurations use the upper and lower holes of the adjustable side plates.
First attach the metal plates to the two 10.5 cm profiles. Insert the T-nuts into the uprights and then secure the assembled wheel mount to the cockpit.
Adjust the height, reach and angle while sitting in the seat. Your shoulders should remain relaxed and your elbows should retain a comfortable bend while holding the steering wheel.
Once the final height and angle are confirmed, tighten the wheel mount and retighten all eight bolts used to secure the uprights.
Step 10: Install the End Caps and Complete the Final Check
Press the three end caps into the exposed profile ends by hand. Avoid striking the caps with a hammer or another tool. They should be pushed into place using steady hand pressure.
Before installing your electronics, complete a final inspection of the cockpit:
Check that the base sits level on all four feet. Confirm that both uprights are square and parallel. Make sure the pedal deck is centred and securely supported. Test the seat brackets or sliders for movement. Confirm that the wheel mount no longer moves when pressure is applied.
Finally, tighten the shifter arm, pedal deck and wheel support once your preferred seating position has been established.
Your SIMGASM Hobby chassis is now ready for the installation of your seat, pedals, wheelbase and additional sim racing accessories.
Optional: Installing the Seat Sliders
Place both seat sliders on top of the cross brackets. The release mechanisms should face inward, while the pins face the rear of the chassis. The U shaped brackets should point towards the front.
Pass the mounting bolts upwards from underneath the cross brackets and into the sliders.
Before tightening, operate the slider mechanism several times. Both rails should move together without binding. Once they are square, parallel and functioning correctly, tighten all four mounting points.
Optional: Installing Side Seat Brackets
Place the seat brackets on top of the sliders and align them with the slider mounting points.
The bolts can normally be installed from above directly into the slider. Alternatively, move the slider forwards or backwards to gain access beneath the slot and use a separate M8 nut.
Set the distance between the brackets according to the width of your seat. Keep both sides square before tightening them.
Optional: Installing the SIMGASM Core Seat
A bottom mounted SIMGASM Core seat can be attached directly to the seat sliders.
Move the sliders backwards to access the rear mounting points and insert the bolts from underneath into the seat. Move the sliders forwards to access the front mounting points.
When no seat slider is used, the Core seat can be mounted directly through the chassis cross brackets.
Confirm that the seat is centred and secure before completing the final tightening pass.
Recommended Adjustment Order
The Hobby cockpit offers multiple adjustment points. Setting them in the correct order prevents you from having to repeatedly loosen the same hardware.
Start by positioning the seat. Next, adjust the pedal deck until your legs remain comfortable at full pedal travel. Set the wheel mount after the seat and pedals are correct. Finish by adjusting the shifter arm and any additional accessories.
Only complete the final tightening pass after you have tested the complete seating position.
Common Assembly Mistakes to Avoid
Tightening adjustable components too early
The most common mistake is fully tightening every bolt immediately. Keep the seat supports, uprights, pedal deck and wheel mount adjustable until the complete driving position has been tested.
Installing the uprights in the wrong orientation
The two slot surfaces must point towards the centre of the cockpit. Check the profile orientation before installing the brace plate.
Fixing the pedal profiles before checking the pedals
Different pedal sets use different mounting patterns. Test the spacing of the three profiles before tightening the pedal deck brackets.
Overtightening the hardware
Aluminium profiles and steel plates only need to be clamped securely. Excessive force does not improve stability and may damage hardware or make later adjustment more difficult.
Skipping the final alignment check
A cockpit may look correct while one side is still slightly out of alignment. Check that the base, uprights, pedal deck and wheel mount are square before installing your electronics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use the video and PDF manual?
The article provides a complete overview, but the video is helpful for seeing each action in sequence. The PDF contains detailed diagrams, hardware illustrations and orientation indicators. Using all three resources together provides the clearest assembly process.
Where can I download the assembly manual?
The downloadable PDF manual is available on the relevant SIMGASM product page. This ensures that you can access the manual associated with your specific product.
Can the shifter arm be installed on either side?
Yes. The 27 cm shifter arm can be mounted on the left or right side and can be rotated depending on your accessory requirements.
Which wheel mounting options are available?
The Hobby cockpit can be configured for a side mounted, bottom mounted or front mounted wheelbase. Select the configuration that matches the mounting points on your wheelbase.
Should I use power tools?
Power tools may be used carefully on a low clutch setting. Do not use an impact driver and do not overtighten the countersunk bolts. Final tightening can also be completed by hand.
How long does assembly take?
Assembly time depends on your tools, experience and chosen seat or wheel mounting options. Reserve enough time to organise the parts, check each orientation and test your driving position without rushing.
Build Your Hobby Cockpit
Correct assembly gives you a stable foundation and makes future adjustments considerably easier. Work methodically, leave adjustable components loose until the final setup and use the official video and PDF illustrations whenever an orientation or mounting position is unclear.
Explore all SIMGASM Hobby Sim Racing Cockpits
View all SIMGASM Sim Racing Cockpits
Need assistance during assembly? Contact the SIMGASM support team at hello@simgasm.com.
