Next Level Racing F-GT - Strengthening kit does the trick

This is the sim rig which has been lurking in the corner of my "office" for the last several months, and i've seen plenty of questions about the flex issues surrounding the F-GT since its release.
So behold, as a middle-aged man balances on a pedal plate, and squeezes his corpulent self into what feels like contortions but just looks like a gentle yoga pose.

[@Reclamated]

For those wondering, this now comes INCLUDED with the FGT Cockpit.

[@LG-lq6zv]

Thanks for the info, by any chance do you have it with a dd base ? I’m considering the f gt but am wondering if it could handle something like 9 Nm or 12 Nm

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Next level knows how to reeucr flex on every item they update. Like even the dang gt lite pro foldable one with the new straps and stuff is more sturdy then many $400 to $500 cockpits with flex now its mind blowing how good it is now. So i cant imagine this f-gt with this kit. Tbhthe plate for the wheel was strong enough already. Can use 15 to 20nm bases with no issues. I like how open the cockpit is so I wouldnt want to use the metal legs for the plate.

[@Max__apex]

Respect for the g25 …… your keeping it soo real man. Reached Jedi tier !!

[@test868]

I reckon you could fit the other side wheel bar in front of the shifter mount. It doesn't need to be so far back to give the wheel deck some extra support, particularly as it attaches to the rearward bolt on the deck.

[@KobraVR]

I have a G29 in the loft I should use it more in VR, that strengthener would definitely make it a better experience. I have some folding system that happily folds up on you during use 🤣

[@GameCubits]

Crack out that g29, it's a solid wheel! Cruising the LA canyons online in VR in Assetto Corsa in some crazy supercar is so much fun.

[@KobraVR]

@@GameCubits I used to love it, flight sims too, then when I played GunLock on the DK2 and I tasted VR FPS I just can't get enjoyment out of anything other than killing people virtually 😄

[@GameCubits]

@@KobraVR Ah, the hunger. Yes.

[@duckilythelovely3040]

I'm 6'2" (6 foot 2 inches) and I onnly weigh 153 pounds. I bet that thing would be ROCK solid for me. I work at microcenter, so with my employee discount I can pick this up for 350.

[@jakesmith-gl2fv]

Bbbbb⁹.8

[@re1v3r]

Great video. I think you're hilarious and content was helpful! Ty my gentle sir.

[@powrvr]

I’m looking to buying the cockpit but was wondering if you recommend it and if it is easy to switch the different positions

[@Bombichote1]

Best video about this. Didn’t know about the lateral flex. Even with both wheel strenghtening kit, still wobble like that?.

[@GameCubits]

With both on it's slightly less, but without diagonal bracing you won't eliminate it. What you're seeing there really isn't functionally significant as I'm swinging on it hard enough to rock the whole rig and wheels will impart more twisting motion which the wheel plate resists well. My simagic should be here in a week, so I'll show how much damage that can do cranked up.

[@Bombichote1]

@@GameCubits Thanks for your informative response, appreciate it. This is the frame I’m planning to buy, since I have a bucket seat. But seeing that movement from side to side for the first time, it’s concerning. I’m 100% going to be waiting for that video with the simmagic, since I’m planning on using the frame with a Fanatec DD pro. That can help me and a lot others, clear doubts. Have a nice day!.

[@AshCARisma]

​@@GameCubits Considering the F-GT with a GT DD Pro with 8nm and loadcell brake. Reckon this will be a good option in terms of sturdiness? Thanks.

[@wesg92]

Great video. Did you ever report back or do an updated video with the new wheel? I couldn’t find anything. Wondering how this rig would work with a 8 to 11 Nm DD wheel. Thx!

[@PeteTheElite]

So you can’t use the monitor stand if you add the brake stiffener?

[@Tweej]

You can. I have Shifter mount arm, wheel base supports, monitor stand and brake stiffener all happily installed.

[@SurlySX]

@@Tweej I need to see a picture of your setup, I cant fathom how you make it work.

[@adamstepanski659]

Do all the F-GT cockpits come with the strengthening kits standard? Or do you have to order the strengthening kit separately?

[@GameCubits]

It comes standard in the box with every F-GT now, but it will be a separate packet in there. Early units didn't include it, but NLR was sending out the kits for that.

[@adamstepanski659]

@@GameCubits great thanks! Definitely a selling point for me I’ll definitely be picking this up for my csl DD!

[@revento5544]

How was it with the csl dd? Im about to buy this and a csl dd as well so very interested.

[@kdquezonable]

Did the strengthening kit come with the F-G1 or is the strengthening kit an item purchased separately?

[@GameCubits]

It comes with them, only the first shipments of the rig didn't include them and NLR had to separately send them out for free.

[@Jodlejodem]

Great video, how did u manage to get that seat so far behind? :o

[@robing8705]

Hey, i should get mine in a few days, i want to use it in the "formula" setup. Is this stiffening kit included?

[@GameCubits]

Yeah they've all come with the kit included for the last few months, just dig around in the box, one of the many bags of stuff will be it.

[@lukechalmers_4]

i was wandering what the length of the very end of the pedals to where the seat ends is in thew formula position so i could make sure it would fit in my room. Is there anyway you could measure and reply? thank you

[@GameCubits]

@@lukechalmers_4 Looks to be about 180cm to the tip of the chair. That's with the chair backed all the way out and the pedals fixed at their strongest point. If you needed more leg room it could get further forwards at the pedals, but i hardly have short legs. With the seat in GT mode it doesn't take up as much room because the chairback is more upright. Like 15cm less.

[@schnurrfpv4594]

How comfortable is the seat?

[@robinadduru5377]

Where can you purchase the stiffening kit? Mine didn't come with 1

[@yourboysgottem202]

Have you noticed any flexing with your simagic alpha?

[@DKTrickster]

What about the wheelbase? I saw flex in there in a video. That can't be helped? Edit: NVM, I just saw the extra bar you showed. Does the strengthening kit include one for pedals AND wheelbase?

[@GameCubits]

Two for pedals, two for base (both sides of both).

[@DKTrickster]

@@GameCubits Ty. Read somewhere that you can't use the TV stand for the rig if you use the strengthening kit. Is that true?

[@HoldenGrey_Racing]

I’ve got one question. I have this rig but I have issues with my arms being too cramped up and bent. How did you get the wheel far enough away?? I have mine on the farthest it can go on the slider and it’s still too close. I’d like to raise it up higher as well but that also makes it even closer.

[@GameCubits]

I have it pushed all the way forwards on the middle slot and the wheel quite low because i like the rally-style position. But if you can’t move your seat further back and pull the pedals in to compensate, then you’d have to move the wheel mounts to the front slot section where the pedals connect. I’ve got enough room on that slot to do it and it would add a good few inches, but i also now have my pedals set up without the stiffening mounts as i use threaded rods in the top of the plate down to the cross-bar that runs underneath.

[@SurlySX]

I have this cockpit and this issue, I moved the pedals all the way forward without the pedal strengthening kit and was able to mount the front 2 bolts of the legs on the first slot where the pedals go while also occupying the 2nd slot for the rear 2 holes. it works great but i'm now unable to use the TV mount kit.

[@cristiancentuori4377]

great video, where can i find the reinforcement iron? thank you

[@GameCubits]

It will come with any f-gt bought in the last year. If not then contacting NLR they should be able to send you one, though you'd have to pay for shipping as it's pretty heavy.

[@StarFox85]

can u drive 2 to 5 hours without butt hurting?

[@GameCubits]

That's going to vary from butt to butt. I have no problem doing long stints on that chair, it's as soft on the ass as any other I've tried. But i may just have the most comfortable ass in the world: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3mumnqiZZeBo7csi=MQJ9FyULD-il7ubv

[@HoldenGrey_Racing]

😂😂😂😂

[@StarFox85]

@@GameCubits fair👍🤭

[@benjimc1]

I'm about to pick one up second hand but I don't think this kit was around at original purchase. Do nlr give these out or sell then seperate?

[@GameCubits]

I know NLR have sent them out for free in the past, but that might have been to buyers of them new before they became an inclusion. Drop them a line via their site, they're a pretty helpful bunch and will definitely be able to send a kit out. Only question i can't answer is if they'll charge for it as its a pretty hefty thing to ship.

[@benjimc1]

@@GameCubits thanks I will give that a shot and see what they say.

[@TheVil91]

@@benjimc1 did you get the kit? i am looking for buying an used f-gt sadly without the kit

[@benjimc1]

@@TheVil91 the kit for the pedal plate was there but the guy didn't use it so the pedal plate was all bent. I bent it back and fixed it ok. The wheel deck kit was not in the bag but I don't need it anyway. Have a TS PC with no issue. About to upgrade to DD so will see how that goes...

[@SagnolTheGangster]

Nice review bro, i have a question though. I am wondering if its really heavy...Can 2 people move the seat to another room? With my playseat its possible :P

[@GameCubits]

Two people could move it fine, the frame and seat weighs 45kg/100lb, so fully loaded it would be like 60kg. You can also put it in casters to just wheel it around.

[@SagnolTheGangster]

@@GameCubits Amazing! Appreciate the fast reply

[@lucarseneault]

How is it holding up with your Simagic wheelbase?

[@viper__]

Hi guys, are there certain places that only include the strengthening kit or is it just a few. If so, (in the uk) where?

[@GameCubits]

All F-GT units are shipped with these brackets included in the box. Only stock that's three years old will not have them, at which point NLR would send you the extra parts for free (if bought new at least). The odds of you buying such old stock is very slim and I'd be suspicious of any retailer dealing in that.

[@viper__]

@@GameCubitsthanks very much, my f gt came yesterday, came with strengthening kit.

[@superjarri]

I'm afraid I would be dissapointed with the stiffness of the F-GT as I see the seat and pedal plate flexing noticeably while braking at 7:14 I'm used to my self made t-slot aluminium cockpit which looks absolutely horrible but it's sturdy as a stone

[@GameCubits]

Well if you've already got a rig then you likely don't need another. Profile aluminium is good stuff. But I've run measurements of the deflection and the pedal plate on this rig flexes by 2mm when hitting the end of the travel of my truebrake in its current configuration. That is absolutely imperceptible in use. The seat back does flex, as do all reclining seats, but that movement at the base, where you're pushing from, is again inconsequential. There is a version of the F-GT which comes with side rails for mounting fixed-back car seats, but part of the reason i went from the GT Ultimate to this ironing board design was for compactness. The flex of the seat back is totally unimportant.

[@mickthequick]

Hy, where can I buy it separately?

[@GameCubits]

I think you’d have to contact NLR directly, it’s not a separate item that they send to retailers.

[@zenflight2450]

I am 6'4" and 125kg. Is this rig big anough for me?

[@GameCubits]

I'm 6' with relatively long legs and it's possible to push the pedals too far away, so I'd say there's enough room there, but it would depend on which pedals you run. In formula position you definitely get more room too. As for weight I'm 100kg and my new pedals commonly get to 80kg for pressure, so I'd say the seat would handle 125 no problem.

[@n3urux]

Is this Upgrade included If you buy it new now? Or do you have to buy it as an extra Kit?

[@GameCubits]

It comes in the box with the F-GT as standard now.

[@supercededman]

@@GameCubits I've just bought a GT Elite rig, the next model down, but looking similar. I've written to NLR (I'm an Aussie) asking them if they could include the strengthening kit for my new rig. I haven't seen the extra pieces mentioned in reviews for the GT Elite.

[@GameCubits]

@@supercededman The GT Elite is definitely above the F-GT, it's an aluminum extrusion rig. The strengthening kit for the F-GT is specifically designed for it to address a couple of nasty failure points, these don't exist on the GT Elite.

[@Paul-jones-jr]

Hi I'm based in the UK and can't locate the strengthening kit anywhere. Do you know where I could get this from as I must have purchased and older version of the fgt as I didn't get this with mine and because of this the angled plate that the pedal plate sits on has actually split. Any advice is appreciated.

[@GameCubits]

You have to contact next level racing directly, the strengthening kit isn't an optional addon it is a fix they issued.

[@Paul-jones-jr]

@GameCubits so, is this something they should provide for free with it being a fix? I contacted them yesterday so just waiting on their response.

[@TheVil91]

@@Paul-jones-jr did you got an response already? =)

[@Paul-jones-jr]

@TheVil91 I did. It actually ships with the fgt when bought now and anyone who hasn't got one but theirs is still in warranty they will ship it free but you will have to pay the shipping cost which is actually higher than the cost of the kit.

[@TheVil91]

@@Paul-jones-jr Okey thank you, then I will write them. Just have to ask the seller for the recipe i guess 😅

[@thenotorious844]

Playseat or F-GT?

[@emog7609]

So if i buy this the strengthening kit comes with it?

[@GameCubits]

Yes, it just comes in the box with the F-GT.

[@forshawxwilson2159]

Would this work well with a CSL DD with the whole 8NM? As well as the V3 pedals?

[@br4nd0n79]

i have the csl dd 8NM with the BMW v2 wheel and heusinkveld sprints at 40kg. works pretty well together.

[@forshawxwilson2159]

@@br4nd0n79 okay thanks. Does the wheel base attach with the pre drilled holes?

[@GameCubits]

Yes, the wheel deck is pre-drilled for the fanatec bolt pattern. I'm using that for my simagic alpha.

[@xyzrust]

Great questions! I bought the same setup as you yesterday and was considering this cockpit. Will go ahead with it most probably

[@forshawxwilson2159]

@@xyzrust I have since bought it and it’s amazing. No issues what so ever

[@moStallion]

Does that kit come with it

[@GameCubits]

Yes, every F-GT manufactured in the last three or so years will have it in included the box.

[@moStallion]

@@GameCubits thank you

[@silvercarbin-q8666]

can it hold 150 kg or no ?

[@StarFox85]

max

[@gjdriessen1]

How tall are you?

[@GameCubits]

180cm

[@ProjektSol]

does it come with the VR controller mounts?