Playseat Challenge: Lock-Mod

Description

The Playseat Challenge is one of the most popular sim-racing rigs available today, but it’s lack of rigidity leaves a lot to be desired. If you’re limited in space then buying a bulky, non foldable rig isn’t an option . Dealing with this problem myself, I developed the ultimate modification kit for the Playseat Challenge: the Lock-Mod.

Primary Features

The Lock-Mod addresses just about every issue I had using the Playseat Challenge as my daily driver. That, while keeping the benefits of the rig and adding a few supplimentary quality-of-life improvements:

• Wheelbase reinforced at multiple points, and is able to easily handle high output DD wheelbases.
• Pedal tray is height adjustable and securely connected to the rig. Greatly reduced movement even with high load force pedals.
• Shifter/handbrake mounting to accomodate a wide range of gear, while also being extremely rigid.
• Replacement of velcro strap with a more reliable and convenient folding lock mechanism.
• Integrated wheels for easy moving with extra mass of high-end gear & upgraded structure (pictured setup approx 37kg).

Compact folding is the Playseat Challenge’s primary selling point; a point I felt was important to retain. Folding/unfolding the Lock-Mod doesn’t require any tools, takes only 1½ minutes, and is as compact as the original. Even the shifter/handbrake assembly can fold neatly within the original’s dimensions without sticking out the side (which even the official Playseat shifter mount doesn’t accomplish).

Configurating the Lock-Mod

The Lock-Mod can be configured in a few different ways to account for a variety of gear, driving positions, and other factors. The configurator includes short explanations for each option, but a detailed breakdown can be found in the assembly Lock-Mod manual.

To help ensure that you configure the Lock-Mod correctly, try setting up your Playseat Challenge with the sim-racing gear you intend to use. This is particularly important for the wheelbase plate orientation; standard (close) or reversed (far). The positioning of the chair angle, pedal height, and the wheelbase hardware & rim itself will affect which option to chose. If you plan to use a seating position with pedals positioned above the floor, objects can be stuked underneath to simulate the Lock-Mod height adjustor.

Gear Compatibility

Although weight and force is much less of a limiting factor with the Lock-Mod compared to the base Playseat Challenge, folding can limit some gear choices.

• Pedals: Bulky pedals & heel rests (such as in the featured images) can be a tight fit when folding the rig. Pedals with a low & short profile are preferred if tight packaging is required.
• Side Mount: If configured with the side mount option, using compact handbrakes & shifters is recommended to allow better folding. Using bulky pedal equipment and bulky gear on the Side Mount can make it difficult to easily fold the Side Mount within the Playseat Challenge legs. In this case, chosing the Removable Side Mout option can make things a bit easier.
• Accessories mounted on the Playseat’s legs (such as the control box and the usb/power hub on the pictured config) will reduce space for other components when folded.

Kit Contents

The specific contents of each Lock-Mod kit will depend on which configurations and extras are chosen, but the broadly applicable contents are as follows.

• Base Lock-Mod parts
  • Feet & Roller Lock
  • Pedal Assembly
  • Side Struts & Hinge/Clamp Connectors
  • Large Pedal Struts
  • Wheelbase Struts
  • Torque wrench & zip ties
• (extra) Side Mount
  • Primary assembly contents
  • (optional) Fully Detachable
• (extra) Pedal Mount
  • 2020 Profile Mount
  • (optional) Heel Rest
• (extra) Strap Seplacement Struts
• (extra) Keyboard Mount

Additional Notes

• Each Lock-Mod kit is made to order, and may take up to a week for dispatch.
• The current version of the Lock-Mod is v1.6. The original v1.0 shown in these photos are still representative of the core functionality of the kit, but various improvements have been made over time.
• Orders outside of Australia do not include tax at checkout, but you may be required to pay customs, duties, taxes and VAT to receive your package. Please be sure to check with your local tax and customs office for more details.
• This Lock-Mod kit is only compatible with the original Playseat Challenge and Playseat Challenge Actifit models. For the Playseat Challenge X (Logitech Edition), the Lock-Mod X should be purchased.
• Find the installation manual here.