Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Bronson
An update to my early September post above. The TRD exhaust now has around 6,500 miles on it. About a month ago, I installed about 9 square feet of 1/8" thick of mass loaded vinyl (MLV) on the cargo area floor. Luxury Liner: Mass Loaded Vinyl Sheets - Second Skin Audio
For the install, I removed the plastic trim piece on the floor near the rear door, lifted the carpet, floor panel, and styrofoam panel and then cut the MLV to fit the bare metal floor. I used spray adhesive to secure the MLV.
I have to say, either the exhaust continues to quiet down and/or the MLV took the edge off the exhaust. It is now quite acceptable during driving, even up hills on a downshift. The worst audible range of the TRD exhaust was 2500-3000rpms under load while going up a hill. It would resonant and boom the cabin if the rpms stayed within this range. This is still the loudest operating range of the exhaust, but it doesn't resonant and boom the cabin.
It's a relief because I was a bit worried taking the family on longer trips with a loud exhaust. That's no longer a worry. I actually somewhat like the sound now.
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My quest to quiet this TRD Pro continues. My wife loves the sound and won't part with it.
I've now done the following:
1) Stuff loose towels she had in the cargo area into the passenger side storage cubby behind the wheel arch.
2) Added approximately 16 square feet of 1/8" thick of MLV with a 3/8" foam backing (~$140; Luxury Liner Pro™ Sheet - MLV + Foam) under the cargo area and back seat. You do have to remove some 14mm bolts adhering the seat and center seatbelt mounts to the body and pop the rear passenger door kickplates in order to get the carpet up under the seat. It takes mere 10 minutes to do all of this.
3) Added two Lexus exhaust vibration dampers (~$40/ea) to the 2.5" pipe entering the muffler and the 2.5" pipe exiting the muffler. I'm using stainless steel exhaust clamps to hold the dampers to the exhaust.
The annoying droning engine sound - Page 6 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
After all of these modifications, the interior volume of the exhaust and the drone is quelled about 30%. The best part is that the drone and certain resonance at 2500-3000rpms under load while going up a hill is much reduced. The setup is acceptable for me now and the edge taken off.
I'm still not a fan of the TRD exhaust, but it's my wife's truck. I keep the stock exhaust boxed in the basement just in case she changes her mind. She has no idea that I did these modifications either