What to Check Before Buying Sim Rig Accessories

Quick answer

Check four things before buying any sim rig accessory: the mounting pattern, the profile size and slot, the thickness or dimensions of the surface it attaches to, and whether hardware is included. If a listing does not state these, treat it as a risk. Buy accessories that match your existing rig generation rather than planning to modify them later.

Most sim rig accessory returns happen for boring reasons: the bolt pattern is 2 mm off, the bracket is made for 8 mm slots instead of 6 mm, or the plate is too thick for the countersunk screws in the box. None of that shows up in a product photo.

This checklist covers the four compatibility points that decide whether an accessory bolts on in ten minutes or sits in a drawer. It applies whether you are adding a heel rest, swapping a quick release, or reinforcing a frame.

1. Mounting pattern and bolt spacing

The first thing to verify is the bolt pattern. Direct drive wheelbases and pedal sets use a small number of standard patterns, but they are not interchangeable. A 6 x 50.8 mm pattern will not line up with a 6 x 70 mm pattern, even if the two parts look similar in photos. Measure your existing bolt circle center-to-center, not the outer edge of the holes.

Adapters exist for exactly this problem. The Simucube 2 Quick Release Adapter is built around all three common mounting patterns: 6 x 50.8 mm, 6 x 50.2 mm, and 6 x 70 mm. If your hub or extension uses one of those, the adapter removes the original SC2 quick release and lets you install your own hardware without drilling.

• Measure bolt spacing center-to-center with calipers, not a tape measure.
• Photograph your current mounting face before ordering so you can compare it to the listing.

2. Profile size and slot width

Aluminium extrusion rigs come in 40 mm and 45 mm profiles most commonly, and the slot can be 8 mm or 6 mm. A corner bracket made for 40 mm profile with 8 mm slot grooves will not seat correctly on a different slot size. This is where most frame reinforcement purchases go wrong.

The Corner Bracket 40 mm, Slot 8 (Set of 10) is a specific example: it is designed for 40 mm profiles with 8 mm slot grooves, and the set includes caps and all necessary fasteners. Buying ten of these is cheaper than buying five of the wrong size twice, but only if your profile matches the specification.

• Check the profile width and slot depth on your rig before ordering brackets.
• If you are unsure, order a single bracket first to test fit before committing to a set.

3. Thickness, dimensions, and what the accessory sits on

Accessories that mount to a plate or deck depend on the thickness of that surface. The Sim Pedal Heel Rest uses M6 countersunk holes and includes spacers, and it is specified for the GT1 EVO pedal deck from 2021 and newer, the new pedal baseplate design (12 mm thick, purchased 2021 or later), and the P1X Pro, P1X Ultimate, and GT1. If your pedal deck is older or a different design, the spacers may not be enough.

The heel rest dimensions are 420 x 160 mm with a 4 mm thick aluminium heel plate. That is a fixed size, so measure the available space on your pedal deck before ordering. A heel rest that overhangs the deck edge can interfere with pedal travel.

• Write down your pedal deck thickness and generation before shopping.
• Check that the accessory footprint fits inside the deck, not just on it.

4. Included hardware and finish details

Hardware is the hidden cost of sim rig upgrades. A bracket set that includes caps and fasteners is worth more than a cheaper set that does not, because a trip to the hardware store for the right length M6 or M8 bolts costs time and often more than the difference in price.

Finish details matter for the same reason. The Sim-Lab Cap Washers (Set of 6) are aluminium cap washers with the Sim-Lab logo engraved, and they include extra bolts and washers so they fit common brackets. They come in black, blue, or red, and in M8, M6, or M5. If you are already ordering brackets, matching the washer size to your bolt size is one less thing to get wrong.

• Count the fasteners you need before ordering, including spares.
• Match washer size to bolt size: M8 washers on M6 bolts will not seat correctly.

5. Rig generation and upgrade path

Many accessories are tied to a specific rig generation. The GT1 Evo Sim Racing Cockpit is described as having a rigid structure and a sturdy pedal plate, with side mount for accessories like shifters and handbrakes included, and adjustable height and angle of the pedal tray. Direct drive upgrades can be purchased separately. That last point is the one to plan around.

If you buy a cockpit now and intend to add a direct drive wheelbase later, check whether the upgrade parts exist for that specific cockpit. Buying an accessory for a rig you plan to replace in six months is the most common wasted purchase in this hobby. The XP1 Foot Support is a smaller example: it installs between the pedal face and the pedal face bracket, includes M6 x 16 bolts, and its symmetrical design means it can go on any pedal. That flexibility is worth more than a part that only fits one model.

• Ask whether the accessory fits your current rig and your likely next rig.
• Prefer parts with a stated compatibility list over parts with vague descriptions.

Decision rules: buy now, measure first, or skip

• Buy now if the listing states your exact pattern, profile, or model: A stated compatibility list is the strongest signal. If the product page names your wheelbase pattern, your profile size and slot, or your exact cockpit model and generation, the risk is low. Checkpoint: the specification should name your part, not a category.
• Measure first if the listing gives dimensions but not your model: Use calipers on bolt spacing, profile width, slot depth, and plate thickness. Compare those numbers to the stated dimensions. Do not assume a similar-looking part will fit. Checkpoint: if your measurement is within 1 mm of the stated size, verify with the store before ordering.
• Skip if the accessory depends on a rig generation you do not have: Parts like pedal deck accessories are often tied to a specific generation or thickness. If your rig is older or a different design, the included spacers may not bridge the gap. Checkpoint: an accessory that needs modification is not a bolt-on upgrade.
• Prefer sets that include fasteners and caps: A set with all necessary fasteners removes a second order and a hardware store trip. The price difference is usually smaller than the cost of sourcing bolts separately. Checkpoint: count fasteners needed versus fasteners included.

Product facts that affect your decision

• Simucube 2 Quick Release Adapter: Allows you to remove the original SC2 quick release and install your hub, extension, or quick release. Includes all hardware and is compatible with 6 x 50.8 mm, 6 x 50.2 mm, and 6 x 70 mm mounting patterns. If your hub uses one of those three patterns, this adapter solves the compatibility problem without drilling or custom parts.
• Sim Pedal Heel Rest: 4 mm thick aluminium heel plate, M6 countersunk holes, spacers included, 420 x 160 mm. Compatibility: GT1 EVO pedal deck (2021 and newer), new pedal baseplate design (12 mm thick, purchased 2021 or later), P1X Pro, P1X Ultimate, GT1. The compatibility list is specific. If your pedal deck is not on it, measure before ordering or choose a different solution.
• Corner Bracket 40 mm, Slot 8 (Set of 10): Includes caps and all necessary fasteners for 40 mm profiles with 8 mm slot grooves. Packaged as a set of 10. The set covers a full frame reinforcement in one order, but only if your profile is 40 mm with 8 mm slots.
• Sim-Lab Cap Washers (Set of 6): Aluminium cap washers with the Sim-Lab logo engraved. Extra bolts and washers are included so they fit common brackets. Colors: black, blue, or red. Sizes: M8, M6, or M5. Six pieces per set. A small finish item, but ordering the correct size with your brackets avoids a second shipment for a few dollars of hardware.

Who this checklist is for

Best for

• Sim racers adding accessories to an existing rig and wanting a bolt-on result
• Buyers upgrading from a starter cockpit to a direct drive wheelbase
• Anyone who has already returned a part because the bolt pattern or profile size was wrong

Not for

• Buyers who want a complete new cockpit and have not chosen a rig generation yet
• Shoppers looking for a full pre-built rig rather than individual accessories
• Anyone unwilling to measure their existing hardware before ordering

The short version: match the pattern, the profile, the thickness, and the hardware before you order. If a listing does not state those, ask or measure. That five-minute check is the difference between an upgrade and a return.