Workshop blueprint / VEH-01

Starter Car - A Low, Repairable Chassis

A four-wheel road chassis that teaches steering, drive bearings, weight placement, and field recovery before cargo or tools are added.

First build20–35 minutes1 mechanicVersion 1.0

Choose this build when

First trips between the crash site, Mechanic Station, and nearby ruins
Learning bearing direction and Driver's Seat steering
A repairable platform that can later accept one chest

Choose another approach when

You already need to carry large resource objects
The route is dominated by steep generated terrain
You plan to mount a heavy mining or harvesting head immediately

01 / Size the job

Workshop baseline

Use these dimensions and targets for the first working version. They are a practical starting layout, not a fixed in-game preset; adjust them only after the baseline passes its tests.

Plan the craftable parts →

01Footprint: 10 × 16 blocks
02Ground clearance: 2 blocks
03Wheel layout: 4 wheels / front steering
04Drive: Rear-wheel or four-wheel
05Starting power: Low, then one step at a time
06Payload target: Driver + one light chest

02 / Prepare the bench

Part manifest

The quantities below describe one baseline build. Optional parts are marked so you can prove the working system before spending on lighting, storage, or automation.

PartQtyJob in this buildPriority

Wood Block Level 1× 48

Low ladder frame

Required

Bearing× 6

Four wheel hubs plus two steering pivots

Required

Wheel× 4

Road contact

Required

Driver's Seat Level 1× 1

Steering and throttle input

Required

Gas Engine Level 1× 1

Drive power

Required

Switch× 1

Headlight control

Optional

Headlight× 2

Night route visibility

Optional

Large Chest× 1

Optional low-mounted cargo

Optional

03 / Count before crafting

Direct crafting cost

This total multiplies each listed part by its preferred Craftbot or Mechanic Station recipe. Processed materials and block recipes are shown as direct inputs instead of being expanded into every earlier production step.

Craftable part types: 8/8
Station time: 3m 40s
Input types: 11

Recalculate in the Crafting Planner →

Combined direct inputsVEH-01

Wood Block Level 1× 80

Metal Block Level 1× 69

Scrap Wood Block× 50

Metal Block Level 2× 20

48 neededWood Block Level 1

Craftbot5 batches · 25sAvailable from the start

Scrap Wood Block × 50

6 neededBearing

Craftbot6 batches · 30sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 6

4 neededWheel

Craftbot4 batches · 1mAvailable from the start

Wood Block Level 1 × 80Metal Block Level 1 × 20Beeswax × 12

1 neededDriver's Seat Level 1

Craftbot1 batch · 30sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 20Component Kit × 2Circuit Board × 1Cotton × 10

1 neededGas Engine Level 1

Craftbot1 batch · 30sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 20Component Kit × 5Circuit Board × 1Crude Oil × 5

1 neededSwitch

Craftbot1 batch · 5sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 1Circuit Board × 1

2 neededHeadlight

Craftbot2 batches · 10sAvailable from the start

Metal Block Level 1 × 2Glass Block × 2Circuit Board × 2Glue × 2

1 neededLarge Chest

Craftbot1 batch · 30sGrowlab reward

Metal Block Level 2 × 20Circuit Board × 5Glue × 5

04 / Build in testable systems

Construction sequence

Do not place the next system until the checkpoint under the current stage is true. That keeps steering, motion, power, and storage failures separate.

Stage goal

Lay out the frame

Create a low, symmetrical ladder frame with open service access.

Build two 16-block rails and join them with at least three crossmembers.
Keep the seat and engine positions inside the wheelbase.
Leave the front corners open for steering movement.

Stage goal

Install steering and wheels

Make both front wheels steer together without touching the frame.

Mount one steering bearing on each front corner and mirror their rotation.
Attach one wheel bearing to every hub.
Turn the seat left and right while the chassis remains on the Lift.

Stage goal

Connect drive power

Produce predictable forward and reverse movement at low power.

Connect the engine only to the bearings intended to drive.
Connect the Driver's Seat to the engine.
Reverse individual bearing directions until every driven wheel agrees.

Stage goal

Road-test before bodywork

Prove braking, steering, clearance, and recovery on the empty chassis.

Drive straight, reverse, and make one full-lock turn in each direction.
Cross a shallow ditch diagonally.
Roll or tip the vehicle safely and confirm the Lift can recover it.

05 / Use the right tool at the right moment

Workshop tools

Each tool below has a specific job in this build. Finish that job, then move to the next stage instead of wiring and tuning everything at once.

Frame layout and recovery

Lift

Keep the chassis level while wheel and steering bearings are aligned.

Before the first ground test

Connect Tool

Set wheel rotation, steering direction, engine links, and seat controls.

Upgrade stage

Weld Tool

Move the tested chassis onto a stronger frame later without rebuilding every system.

06 / Check every signal

Connection map

Read each row from input to output. Name or color the physical controls to match this map before closing the bodywork.

Driver's SeatSteering

Front steering bearingsMirror left/right rotation

Driver's SeatForward and reverse control

Gas EngineSeat throttle

Gas EngineWheel drive

Drive bearingsLow power for first test

SwitchNight visibility

HeadlightsToggle

07 / Commission the build

Test bench

Run these checks with the normal load fitted. If one fails, make the listed physical change and repeat that same test before changing another variable.

TestPass conditionIf it fails

Full-lock circle

Both directions complete without wheel rub

Widen the front track or reduce steering obstruction

Slope stop

Vehicle holds direction while braking

Lower mass and reduce power before adding weight

Loaded return

One chest does not remove steering authority

Move the chest forward and lower inside the wheelbase

08 / Adapt after it works