Blogged by buffi

So you wanna be like all the other cool dudes and have a Sanwa modded Hori Real Arcade Pro?
Nowadays everyone and their mother has a Sanwa-modded stick, but I still couldn’t find any decent guide for how to actually do it, even though it is really simple if you have any experience in the field of not being a moron.

However, if you are an American or simply just want to doublecheck that you are doing everything right, a guide would be nice so here it is.

When the stick is already open, why not also put in an octagonal gate and a new balltop? This is even easier so it shouldnt really require a guide but here it is anyways.

Step 1. Buy parts (duh)

Get the following (for each stick to mod):
8 sanwabuttons (standard size)
1 octagonal gate (optional)
1 cool new balltop (optional) (I used the mesh-thingies)

You can get these parts in Japan or on the interweb.

Step 2. Get tools

You need:
A “normalsized” starshaped screwdriver
A bolt-remover-thingie
A flat headed screwdriver (optional, but makes things easier)

If you don’t know where to get tools you shouldn’t be doing this.

Step 3. Unscrew the bottom screws

Flip the HRAP upside down and locate the 8 screws at the bottom. Unscrew all of them and remove the bottom plating. It might stick a little so you can use the flat headed screwdriver to make this easier.
You will now see a big hunk of plastic.

Step 4. Locate and unscrew bolts at the bottom

There are 6 bolts located under the screws that you can see at the top of the stick. Remove these. Remove the screws also.

Step 5. Remove cover

Turn the stick back so that it is standing correctly and you will notice that the top plate is loose. It is however still connected by wires to the PCB so just lift it up and flip it upsidedown so that you have easy access to the components.

Step 6. Remove quick connects and add new buttons

Remove the quick connects from one of the buttons by plying it of with the flat screwdriver. Remove the button from the mounting plate and snap in a new Sanwa(TM) one in its place. Then refit the quick connects on the new button.
Repeat this until all buttons are in place.

Step 7 (Optional for balltop). Change balltop

Locate the middle of the bottom of the joystick and insert your flat headed screwdriver in the flat headed screwdriver shaped area. Then hold it in position as you unscrew the balltop from the other side of the mounting plate. Then refit your new balltop and tighten it with the screwdriver.

Step 8 (Optional for octagate). Change gate

Locate the piece of plastic at the bottom of the joystick that has a squareshaped hole in it. You will se that it is fitted on there by four “levers”. Remove these piece by pulling the levers inward to get it unstuck. Then simple insert the new octagate in its place.

Step 9. Put it back together

Do steps 3-5 again but backwards.

Step 10. Enjoy!

Finally you can get the fast responses that you need in final fantasy X. Start flaming forums about how cool your stick are right away!

buffi Gaming Hardware