Is sound deadening worth it?

[4flyer]

Highway driving is a bit noisy for my liking in my '01 and I have now been pondering putting in some sound deadening and maybe change out the carpet while I was at it. The issue is that being a poor college student, I do not have a ton of money for it and more importantly, I lack the time so it will have to wait for the summer. I plan on doing some road tripping this summer so I was thinking that if I was to get the deadening done, this would be the time.

So, for those who had done sound deadening, was it worth the time involved? Were the results really noticeable? Where did you put the deadening material?

Thanks!

 

[Rock_Rat]

Highway driving is a bit noisy for my liking in my '01 and I have now been pondering putting in some sound deadening and maybe change out the carpet while I was at it. The issue is that being a poor college student, I do not have a ton of money for it and more importantly, I lack the time so it will have to wait for the summer. I plan on doing some road tripping this summer so I was thinking that if I was to get the deadening done, this would be the time.

So, for those who had done sound deadening, was it worth the time involved? Were the results really noticeable? Where did you put the deadening material?

Thanks!

Sound Deadening Project

YES absolutely worth it all the way around. Mine is pretty extensive but check out all the other posts in my thread and you'll see there are MANY less expensive routes to take on a college budget. [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] [MENTION=14772]shootmymime[/MENTION] [MENTION=90352]UnderFire[/MENTION] [MENTION=95782]0xfded[/MENTION] etc...

 

[3rzrunner]

Did my doors, tailgate, and rear quarter panel with hushmat and its VERY noticeable, the doors don't vibrate from the speakers, and road noise has been cut in half.

Imo it's very worth it.

 

[rkntoy]

Too many years of loud rock music for me. Not sure I have enough hearing left to notice the difference.

 

[shootmymime]

click on my link here below of my post VVVVV its a link to my build thread. In there you will find the sound deadening project on page 1-3 IIRC so its easy to fine.

 

[4flyer]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I am sold.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Highway driving is a bit noisy for my liking in my '01 and I have now been pondering putting in some sound deadening and maybe change out the carpet while I was at it. The issue is that being a poor college student, I do not have a ton of money for it and more importantly, I lack the time so it will have to wait for the summer. I plan on doing some road tripping this summer so I was thinking that if I was to get the deadening done, this would be the time.

So, for those who had done sound deadening, was it worth the time involved? Were the results really noticeable? Where did you put the deadening material?

Thanks!

I'll be the more pessimistic one and still say yes, but without adequate time don't do it yet. Wait until summer when you don't have classes to compete with. Here's what I did for more photos to reference:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/203866-thinking-about-upgrading-your-sound-system-do.html

I recommend buying from RAAMaudio - Automotive sound deadening products, unless you are going the roofing material route with the tar material.

My sound project/overhaul took about 2 weeks total (no extra time off, just done in the evenings and weekends). Was it worth it? Yes, it really made a difference especially in the rear cargo area. I actually put two layers back there.

If I got another vehicle other than a 4Runner (which are super noisy inside), would I do it again? Probably not. Newer cars have better insulation now.

 

[echoplex301]

Sound deadening is absolutely worth it. I've used RAAMaudio products on both my Tacoma and 4Runner and have zero complaints.

Break the work into sections though, do the doors one day and the rest of the interior the next. It's a time consuming project.

If that sight bothers you than maybe just stick to the doors.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I should probably add the areas I noticed the most improvement in order:

1. Rear cargo area- This spot really is the worst offender, especially if you have an aftermarket muffler.
2. Doors - of course
3. Windows - Can't do anything about this one! Mentioned it because you'll notice sound through the windows a lot more.
4. Front firewall/footwells - I did not do this since I did not remove the seats or carpet (needed to drive to work). But whatever area you don't do you'll notice more now.
5. Transmission tunnel.

 

[UnderFire]

Budget alternatives:

Fatmat instead of dynamat or raammat
Home carpet underlayment or yoga mats instead of expensive closed cell foam
and this mass loaded vinyl here 4 ft. x 8 ft. Acoustical Barrier-DB348X96BX - The Home Depot

Lay down a full layer trimmed to fit the whole floorpan of MLV. Then take the carpet underlayment and put it anywhere it fits easily under the carpet, footwells, under the seats, whole cargo area, etc. That will get rid of a lot of road noise.

No need for fatmat on the floorpan, it's job is to elimanate rattles mainly, so you'll want it on the doors of course, no need for full coverage, just thump the panel and place decent sized pieces until you get no resonation out of the panels when thumped. You will also want to really focus on the rear quarters, inside and outside layers, that's where the resonance really comes from in the 3rd gens. Same process, thump and add small pieces. You may also find some foam to fill in some of the cavities to prevent sound echoing through.

That's a solid start without taking apart too much. you can do that all in a day easily. Start messing with the roof panel and taking more time to get in deep on stuff and it gets time consuming.

Double layering MLV or even triple if it'll fit will get rid of a ton of noise. Lots of noise comes from the exhaust and trans through the tunnel. Also make sure your shift boot is in good shape.

 

[Unner]

I've done mine the cheap way. I did the front doors with peal and stick from lowes as well as closed cell foam from the foamfactory.com. I've also done the rear floorpan of the cargo area, but I want to do the rear hatch walls, rear doors, and floor. Just need a good long weekend with nothing to do where I can tear the truck apart.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Yes definitely worth it.

Mine is fully sounded deadened (exhaust is really noisy, but I ,originally did it because it was a clattery diesel).

I'd definitely hold out for the warmer weather, the stuff is easier to work with when warmer. I did my floors/roof with E dead, years ago and never finished the job, the more expensive Dynamat was a LOT nicer to work with!

Some pics of the floor/doors on my build thread in my sig.

I actually still have the tailgate to do!

 

[Acorn22]

I did this to my wagoneer and I used this stuff from Lowes called Peel n Seal. It's a tar based with aluminum on top that can be easily rolled out. Once you lay it down it isn't coming back up but it worked wonders in that loud Jeep. It's like 15$ for 30 yards or something like that

 

[JayRolla]

I removed all the oem deadening from my from my talon. Saved lots of weight.

Cuz Race Car

But yeah it is nice to do on an old raddle rig.

 

[BrianSD_42]

When I did this I used the industrial peel and seal, purchased about 3x15 feet or something like that for $120.

Upsides of peel and seal:
- it works quite well. Again it works.
- it's cheap. Again it's cheap.

Downsides:
- if you live in a hot state like AZ or TX it will melt
- it smells, for a least two weeks, probably not good for you either

But hey the smell completely goes away after a few weeks, maybe as long as a month. I live in SD and have never had any issues and after it dries out, say several months it won't run or melt even in 105 F weather.

If I could do it over again I would still 100% use peel n seal under all the carpets and seats but I would use a more legit dynmat type alternative for all the doors.

 

[19Limited97]

Dynamat

My 97' Limited had ZERO sound deadening material when I first got her; it drove me crazy. It sounded as if all my windows were down and my tailgate was open when I drove around. I applied Dynamat to all four door panels plus the tailgate and it made an INCREDIBLE difference. I would like to apply some to the floorboards as well, but I no longer drive on the roads, just trails. While I was daily driving on the hwys and around town, the Dynamat made an immediate difference. It was pricey, however, it was totally worth it!!

 

[Unner]

When I did this I used the industrial peel and seal, purchased about 3x15 feet or something like that for $120.

Upsides of peel and seal:
- it works quite well. Again it works.
- it's cheap. Again it's cheap.

Downsides:
- if you live in a hot state like AZ or TX it will melt
- it smells, for a least two weeks, probably not good for you either

But hey the smell completely goes away after a few weeks, maybe as long as a month. I live in SD and have never had any issues and after it dries out, say several months it won't run or melt even in 105 F weather.

If I could do it over again I would still 100% use peel n seal under all the carpets and seats but I would use a more legit dynmat type alternative for all the doors.

I've heard people talk about it smelling after application, but I never had that issue. Maybe because I've only worked with it in the winter/spring. This thread is making me want to go do the rest of my truck this weekend.

 

[4flyer]

My 97' Limited had ZERO sound deadening material when I first got her; it drove me crazy. It sounded as if all my windows were down and my tailgate was open when I drove around. I applied Dynamat to all four door panels plus the tailgate and it made an INCREDIBLE difference. I would like to apply some to the floorboards as well, but I no longer drive on the roads, just trails. While I was daily driving on the hwys and around town, the Dynamat made an immediate difference. It was pricey, however, it was totally worth it!!

I think that this is the route that I will go. If I want to go further, I'll tear out the carpet and deaden the floor and also clean/replace the carpet. Did you have much trouble removing the door panels? How did you do it?

 

[UnderFire]

The problem with a peel and seal type material is that it's much less dense than dynamat, so you have to use more of it to get the same effect.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I think that this is the route that I will go. If I want to go further, I'll tear out the carpet and deaden the floor and also clean/replace the carpet. Did you have much trouble removing the door panels? How did you do it?

Tada!

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