Build a High-Performance Shifter for Sim Racing

• Key takeaways:
• A DIY H-pattern shifter uses 3D-printed parts plus metal hardware to deliver realistic feel.
• Core mechanical elements: linear rail, printed slider with indexer, ball joint, extension springs and machined steel rods.
• Electronics: microswitches read by an Arduino Leonardo expose the shifter as a USB device for sims.
• DAZ Projects provides STL files and a parts list (Cults3D / Google Docs) to replicate the build.

Overview

Sim racing peripherals have evolved beyond wheels and pedals — a quality stick shifter completes the immersion. The DAZ Projects build packages modern fabrication with straightforward electronics to give an H-pattern shifter a tactile, "ca-chunk" gear feel.

Mechanical design

At the heart of the design is a linear rail that handles fore-and-aft motion. A 3D-printed slider rides on that rail and includes a profiled indexer so the lever locks crisply into each gate.

A ball joint locates the shift lever and allows smooth lateral movement for left-to-right gates. Centering is achieved using extension springs that pull the mechanism back to neutral, preserving realistic stick return.

The H-pattern is physically enforced with machined steel rods, keeping gate geometry robust under repeated shifts. Many of the force-bearing components are metal; the printed parts focus on shape and fit rather than purely structural loads.

Electronics and firmware

Position sensing in this build is handled with microswitches placed at each gate. The switches feed into an Arduino Leonardo, chosen for its native USB Human Interface Device (HID) capabilities. That lets the shifter present itself as a standard USB input device to a PC, compatible with most modern sim software without extra drivers.

Firmware reads switch states and maps them to gear inputs. The approach is simple and reliable, and the Leonardo keeps the build accessible for makers familiar with Arduino development.

Parts and files

Most custom parts are 3D printed, which significantly reduces the machining work once required for this mechanism. DAZ Projects hosts the STL files on Cults3D and shares a detailed parts list via Google Docs for fast sourcing of rails, rods, springs, switches and hardware.

Why build your own?

Off-the-shelf sim shifters can be expensive and often sacrifice feel for price. A DIY approach lets you choose components — from linear rails to machined rods — and tune the tactile response to match high-end setups.

Quick build tips

• Use metal for any load-bearing shaft or rod to avoid print failures.
• Calibrate switch positions carefully to avoid false positives during diagonal shifts.
• Print test-fit parts at lower infill before finalizing to save material and time.

This project demonstrates how modern 3D printing and accessible microcontrollers like the Arduino Leonardo make high-fidelity sim hardware achievable for hobbyists and serious sim racers alike.