Motion noob with an odd twist - advice needed

Cliff notes, I'm looking to embark on a motion setup for a racing rig, but I've added in a weird twist. Today was the first I found out about motion rigs, and I've spent the better part of today in full ADHD mode learning about the concept.

Backstory: I moved to Florida several years ago from Wisconsin. While I was in WI I was moderately involved in IRacing, as well as real stock car racing. When we moved to FL that all went away. Our house now is significantly smaller, so small that even the most compact racing rig is 100% out. Also, worth mention, I am an avid automobile mechanic, fabricator, and DIYer. My electronics background I'd say moderate hobbyist - I'm no engineer, but I've coded on Arduino (made a prox sensor for the race car out of parking assist sensors so I could tell if another car was approaching on my inside quarter).

Anyway...

Here's my plan. I have located a 2005 Ford Escape with a bad transmission. I have the space to park it beside my house, well within wifi range. Remove the drivers seat and steering column. Now I have an "outdoor" space where can install a sim rig. I figure I can tint ALL the windows in a household mirror tint (mirror on the outside to keep heat out, very dark inside to keep the interior dark, yet still be able to see if the neighbor lady is outside tanning). I plan to remove the engine / transmission as they would no longer be needed. In the extra space in the engine compartment mount a household air conditioner and plumb it into the cabin. Then I would run power out to the escape so I can power the PC, rig, and A/C. Mount a gaming PC behind the passenger seat area. Originally, I thought to throw a stationary rig in the drivers seat area, mount a monitor up against the dash, and tada, I'm in business. BUT, then the motion bug hit me.... Also, I chose an escape for several reasons, I drive one daily, so I'd have parts, plus more headroom, amongst other reasons)

Bear with me now - I'm new to the whole motion rig thing, so if I have some terminology wrong, please be gentle.

Here's where my motion rig questions come in. I could go a step further, remove the carpet, and cut out the transmission tunnel (to make a flat floor). I'm HOPING to keep the passengers seat (I have a friend who likes to passenger / participate as well). The extra room from removing the trans tunnel would give me enough room to install a 3DOR rig on the now wider flat floor. My goal / thinking is a DIY setup with the 2 motors on the back and a u-joint in the front, with traction loss (hence why I'd get rid of the trans tunnel). Then the pedals / wheel / monitor can all be on the rig. I'm kind of leaning towards the wiper motor / u-joint set up.

Budget is a consideration. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not thinking I can build this for $500, I do have reasonable expectations. BUT, I'm not looking to drop $10k on a toy either. EVENTUALLY, the wife is going to figure out that this lil Escape isn't for primary transportation!

Thoughts? advice?

Sounds great. I'd be tempted to make a G-Seat rather than motion platform in this context. Because you will be integrating this into a car, if you have the seat moving more than a very subtle amount, it might just feel like the seat has come loose. With a G-Seat you can add pressure panels to simulate G-forces in acceleration and cornering as well as a seat belt tensioner for braking. This added to some powerful rumble motors under the seat would give a great experience.

There are other projects where people have used the steering wheel, dashboard and 'cockpit' from a real car. You could add a force feedback steering wheel, use or replace the original pedals and gearstick and it's even possible to integrate into the original dash display to display speed and revs from the game telemetery.

I look forward to some photos of whatever you come up with, good luck!

Great info. Thank you! Yes, the passenger seat would be without motion, just a spot for someone to sit and watch if they would like.

Lemme pick your brain as far as wiper motors go. I was planning on using a steering shaft U-joint (identical to a driveshaft u-joint, just significantly smaller, but I was leaning towards putting the u-joint about 1/3 of the way back in the rig rather than all the way forward (picture it below your thighs, rather than below your feet). From what you're saying, that's not a good idea. For motors, I was looking at the "truck wiper motors" (as someone called them, with the metal gear box). Is there a better, cost effective solution?

Interesting.... I'll have to dig into the G-seat.

I have contemplated leaving the column and using factory pedals. Unfortunately, the screen would be very small. BUT, if I went with a VR set up, then screen size would be irrelevant.

How are you going to control the climate inside the car?

That's a very good question. Even more so since I'm in southwest FL.

I am applying mirrored window tint to the windsheild and side windows (the car is going to face south, so the back window won't matter). I have removed the fuel tank (under the rear seat), removed the rear seat, then cut a hole in the floor so a window air conditioner can set down into the hole (facing the driver's seat). Next I'm going to make a cover that covers the rear of the window AC, so the "outside" of the window AC is circulating air under the car. The "inside" will be exposed inside the car. When not in use, I plan to leave it 80-ish degrees. When in use, I can bump it down to 70-ish. That way I shouldn't have humidity issues.

My explanation is probably horrible.... I'll post photos later.

But good question!

Speaking on the budget, I’m currently only $450 into my motion platform. But my frame is wood, and I already had the seat. I’d say the most expensive parts are the motors, and power supply. I went with 24v motors, so my power supply was a little more expensive. But I don’t think you’ll be anywhere near the 10k mark lol