MOZA Extension Rod: what's it really for in a sim racing setup?

The MOZA Extension Rod is a very simple accessory on paper: a column extension that fits between your MOZA Direct Drive base and your steering wheel. But in the cockpit, this little tube changes more than you might think.

Its aim is clear: to move the steering wheel back, improve the driving position, free up space for screens or the dashboard, and bring the feel of a real steering column closer. It's aimed above all at users of rigid cockpits, rally or GT fans who want a steering wheel closer to the chest, and at those looking to optimize ergonomics without DIY.

My angle here is simple: does this extension add real comfort, control and immersion, or is it just an expensive aluminum tube to "look good" in a MOZA setup? Is it rigid enough to handle a strong Direct Drive without flexing, without parasitic vibrations, and without turning the steering wheel into a soft lever? And above all, is it worth the effort compared to other solutions (position change, adjustable support, etc.)?

Design and manufacture of the MOZA Extension Rod

In the hand, the MOZA Extension Rod gives an immediate impression of controlled density. We're dealing with a machined metal part, with a black finish that visually integrates with the MOZA range without looking like an "added piece". The surface is clean, with no burrs or rough edges, and the machining of the mounting surfaces is clean. This is a product designed for intensive use, not a gadget accessory.

Once fitted, the rigidity is immediately apparent. The base, extension and steering wheel are joined by the same MOZA fastening system, so there are no surprises when it comes to mechanical compatibility. What struck me was the very low perceived play: when you apply lateral stress to the steering wheel, you don't feel any exaggerated flex, provided the cockpit itself is sufficiently solid. If your chassis is a little light, it's going to show its limits before the extension.

The added length changes everything about the position: you can finally move the base away from the body, move the screens back, and keep a steering wheel at a more natural racing distance. Visually, the extension remains discreet, not breaking the line of the setup.

What may be slightly disappointing is the lack of imagination: no length adjustment, no modular options, we're on a set size. You need to be sure that this length corresponds to your needs. Compared with "home-made" profile columns or some of the cruder universal extensions, the MOZA Extension Rod is cleaner, more plug & play, but also less flexible in terms of pure customization.

Compared with competing ecosystem products, the perceived quality is totally in keeping with the standards of specialist-brand accessories: you can feel that it's been designed to remain mounted for a long time without any headaches.

Settings, customization and compatibility

The MOZA Extension Rod has no active settings as such, but it does modify the geometry of your driving position. We're not talking menus or software presets here, but physical adjustments: arm-steering distance, relative seat height, legroom, screen position.

Installation is simple if you're already familiar with MOZA assembly: dismantle the steering wheel, place the extension on the base using the same fastening system, then reassemble the steering wheel on the other end. The logic is perfectly consistent with the rest of the ecosystem. The learning curve is virtually nil: if you know how to mount a steering wheel on a MOZA base, you know how to mount the extension.

In terms of compatibility, the Extension Rod is designed above all for MOZA Direct Drive bases and their dedicated steering wheels. We remain anchored in this universe. On PC, no worries: the system doesn't change the detection, you just extend the mechanics. On consoles, the same principle applies: it's totally transparent, as long as the base itself is compatible with your system. The extension adds no layer of electronics.

Where it gets interesting is when it comes to cockpit integration. For an aluminum profile frame, the extension allows the base to be moved back far enough so that it no longer "eats" the screen space or hits the knees when you climb aboard. For tubular or folding cockpits, you'll need to check that the structure can support the extra lever arm.

In terms of upgradeability, this is clearly a "long term" part: as long as you stay within the MOZA ecosystem, you can change your steering wheel or base, and the Rod Extension will still be of interest. It's not an entry point like a base or pedalboard, but rather an ergonomic upgrade designed to refine an already serious setup.

Sensations in play: what a column extension changes

In terms of dynamics, the first thing that stands out is the behavior of the FFB with this extra lever arm. On a powerful Direct Drive base, the increased length between the motor axle and your hands can theoretically amplify certain vibrations or give a feeling of a "longer" steering wheel. In practice, with the MOZA Extension Rod, the feeling remains very controlled.

The precision of the force feedback does not collapse. Little grip information, micro-oscillations at the chord point, the beginnings of grip loss remain legible. There's no sense of filtering or dampening fine signals, provided the cockpit-base attachment is rigid. Most importantly, you always understand what the front of the car is doing.

In fast corners, the steering gains a little in natural "moment of inertia". The steering wheel feels slightly more present in the hand, a little heavier to launch and stop, which may remind you more of a real car than some very compact setups. Transitions from left to right remain rapid, but you can feel that the column has a certain length, and personally I find that this gives a more organic feel. Those who like their steering wheels ultra-nervous, very close to the engine, may find a tiny smoothing.

On vibrators, the extension doesn't break the message. Edge vibrations, compressions and small shocks are still well transmitted. You can feel the jackhammers of certain urban circuits, and the big curbs of GT3, without any sense of fuzziness. Once again, if there's any play, you'll have to look at the chassis rather than the extension itself.

Grip reading remains clear. When the rear begins to unload, you can feel the steering wheel slowly "emptying", and you can anticipate the corrections well. This is where the extension comes as a positive surprise: despite the lever arm, control in rapid corrections doesn't become sluggish. You can catch a drift, counter an oversteer, without feeling like you're springing or lagging behind.

Over long sessions, the benefits are most noticeable in terms of comfort. With a better riding position, shoulders work at a more natural angle, elbows remain slightly bent, and wrists are less tense. The result: less muscle fatigue, more consistency over a long stint. You can push harder for longer, simply because the position is better optimized. This is typically the kind of detail you only really notice after several dozen minutes in a row.

Compared to a configuration without extension on a small base or an entry-level setup, the main gains are in ergonomics and posture realism. Compared with a more powerful Direct Drive base without extension, you don't get more brute force, but a more serene way of using it. Confidence behind the wheel depends a great deal on driving position, and this MOZA Extension Rod clearly goes in the direction of a more "real car" immersion.

Who's it for? What we like / What we don't like

The typical profile for this MOZA Extension Rod is the user already committed to the MOZA ecosystem, with a rigid cockpit, who wants to fine-tune his cockpit. An intermediate or advanced simracer, often on a PC, who rides regularly and is beginning to appreciate the finesse of the setup: arm-fly distance, clearance for screens, compatibility with additional accessories such as a dash, button box or larger central screen. Motivated beginners who go straight for a serious cockpit may also find it to their liking, but it won't be their top priority.

What I particularly appreciate is the seamless integration into the MOZA ecosystem. There's no need for exotic adapters or tinkering, everything fits neatly together. Then there's the overall rigidity: the extension doesn't give the impression of weakening the connection between the steering wheel and the base, even when driving with high forces. Finally, the impact on driving comfort is far from anecdotal: you quickly get a more coherent posture, which has a direct impact on precision and regularity.

There are limits, however. The first is the lack of length adjustment: either the size fits your cockpit, or you'll have to adapt the chassis to get everything just right. The second is total dependence on the MOZA ecosystem: if you plan to change your basic brand in the short term, the investment loses meaning. The third is the leverage effect on lightweight cockpits: on a structure with little rigidity, extension can accentuate vibrations and highlight chassis weaknesses.

In terms of perceived value, this is a product that makes sense in an already structured setup. It's not the accessory that will metamorphose a basic installation, but rather a targeted piece of optimization. For a user who has invested in a Direct Drive base, a nice cockpit and a few steering wheels, the utility/price ratio holds up very well, because the gain in ergonomics and comfort is daily.

Verdict: does the MOZA Extension Rod deserve its place in your setup?

The MOZA Extension Rod doesn't add horsepower, Nm or special effects, but it does fundamentally change the way you operate your equipment. It puts the base in its "true" place in the cockpit, aligns your driving position with something more realistic, and frees up space for a triple screen or large screen close to the field of vision.

On the market, it can be seen as a mid/high-end accessory, designed for already serious setups, in the tradition of the column extensions used by demanding simracers. Its role is clear: to make a MOZA ecosystem more ergonomic and closer to the sensations of a real car, without sacrificing the rigidity or precision of force feedback.

I'd recommend it to regular riders with a rigid cockpit, who want to optimize their riding posture without getting involved in risky DIY. For the occasional player on a folding stand or desk, the priority will be elsewhere, and the contribution will be more limited.

If you're looking to bring your MOZA setup a little closer to a real driving position, while keeping a clean and legible FFB, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.</analysis