Shhhhh Quiet Please (3rd Gen Sound Deadening Project)

[RussToy]

So, winter hit. Snowboarding season and I've been up at Mt. Hood every weekend. I've been traveling for work 4 out of the last 8 weeks, too. Garage wiring still isn't working and the driveway has a stack of garage shelves I haven't been able to throw out yet. And first gear just went out on me.

This sound deadening project is really taking a back seat. I'm hoping to tackle this as soon as it starts getting warm again. Right now I'm looking for rebuilt manual transmissions. Ug...

Have you gotten your S/C installed yet? My guess is yes...I'm assuming that's why you lost a gear in your trans...lol!! You have to keep us updated!

Sorry to hear about the lost gear though...that totally sucks!! Is it too late to ask Santa for a new trans?? Merry Christmas!

 

[RussToy]

I took some sound pressure level measurements today. Deadening materials were Raamat and PS ensolite, used full coverage, even double coverage on some critical areas.

Spl measurements before:
72 dbm parked with engine idling
94 dbm cruising at 70 mph

Spl measurements after:
At idle the sound level was below my meter's lower limit of 53 dbm
71 dbm cruising at 70 mph.

A 3 dbm reduction requires cutting sound energy by 50%, making this a pretty dramatic change. Road trips are much more pleasant, and my music now has a low noise floor to rise up from.

[MENTION=82920]1blink[/MENTION] sounds like you did a really good job covering your whole Runner. I can only dream of my 4Runner being as quite as yours is now!! I've done my sound test at an idle...and my reading was 74 dbm (I think I have a small exhaust leak). Haven't done a test at speed yet.

So, how much sq ft in material did you end up using in Raamat and PS ensolite? And if you don't mind, how much money do you have invested in sound deading material?? Sorry for all the questions. Im just trying to get a good idea how much this mod is going to cost, because I'd like to do it all at one time.

Thanks...for all the info...it's much appreciated!

 

[1blink]

So, how much sq ft in material did you end up using in Raamat and PS ensolite? And if you don't mind, how much money do you have invested in sound deading material?

I used about 45 sheets of RAAMat BXTII (85 square feet) and maybe 9 yards (81 square feet) of Ensolite IUO Peel and Stick Foam.

I probably spent about $450 on the deadening materials. Also, count on breaking a few attachment clips while removing the trim panels. I spent $20 or so on new toyota parts to deal with that. The sheet metal screws and roof flashing I used to box in the door panels I already had on hand.

At a certain level of deadening materials, sound reduction vs. quantity of material used diminishes. Results close to what I achieved should be obtainable using their large package. Link below.

Package # 2 -------- 30 Sheets of RAAMmat BXT II (56.25 sq ft) and 4 1/2 yards of Ensolite IUO Peel and Stick Foam (62.43 sq ft) - RAAMaudio Inc.

 

[RussToy]

[MENTION=82920]1blink[/MENTION] Thanks for all your information on your build...it's much appreciated! I didn't even think about breaking things!!

So you used double the amount as kit #2 that you are recommending. I take it then you started doubling up in a lot of areas trying to get the ultimate quite ride...but it didn't work as well as you hoped? At least that's the way I'm reading this...correct.

This was always a big question of mine...how do they get the Audi's, BMW's and other high dollars car so quite. At first I thought they just stacked extra deader in their cars...but this shows that's incorrect! So, do they have available better material then we do? Should I be digging in salvage yards get their sound deading material to do my 4Runner?? I'm still so confused!!

 

[1blink]

I take it then you started doubling up in a lot of areas trying to get the ultimate quite ride...but it didn't work as well as you hoped? At least that's the way I'm reading this...correct.

This was always a big question of mine...how do they get the Audi's, BMW's and other high dollars car so quite. At first I thought they just stacked extra deader in their cars...but this shows that's incorrect! So, do they have available better material then we do? Should I be digging in salvage yards get their sound deading material to do my 4Runner?? I'm still so confused!!

A quiet ride starts with aerodynamic profiles. Less wind noise generated by the shape of mirrors, the height of the ride, etc. Due to the design of our trucks, (wind profile of the front end, mirrors, roof rack, etc.) we have more noise to start with. Lifts and off road tires also add to the noise levels. The glass used for the windows and windshield allow sound to pass thru that can not be blocked. New luxury cars use double paned glass to mitigate this noise. As far as foam and dampeners, the sound deadening materials in luxury cars are not appreciably better than what I used.

Most sound deadening material is glued on, making salvage a hopeless task.

Deadening on certain parts of our trucks is more effective than others. For instance, the outer skin of the door panel is much less important to deaden than the inner skin. The roof transmits less noise than the wheel wells. 100% coverage is not entirely necessary to yield a significant change to overall noise levels.

I suggest calling the guys at RAAMaudio. They were very helpful when I was tackling my project. It was the first time I've ever done anything with sound deadening.

My 4runner is noticeably quieter than my 2003 Audi a4 after sound dampening, despite my roof rack, lift and oversize tires.

 

[RussToy]

[MENTION=82920]1blink[/MENTION]

Wow...I never thought about all the other factors that goes into all this. But after you mention it...that all makes perfect sense. Now I kind of feel stupid...of course tire noise, and lack of aerodynamics, and no double pane glass is going to make a huge difference in the amount of noise you hear in the cab!! Thank you for pointing out the obvious for me. I guess it's like...I couldn't see the forest because of all the trees!

I will definetly take your advise and call RAAMaudio before I go any further! Thanks for all the help in understanding how all this works...very much appreciated!

 

[hearno]

Sub'd

 

[alphyn]

Have you gotten your S/C installed yet? My guess is yes...I'm assuming that's why you lost a gear in your trans...lol!! You have to keep us updated!

Sorry to hear about the lost gear though...that totally sucks!! Is it too late to ask Santa for a new trans?? Merry Christmas!

Ha! I wish I was able to get it in and fool around a bit. My garage is still a mess and I have the S/C sitting in a box waiting for me. I'm hoping to catch up on home life activities the next few weeks. Life has been crazy.

 

[RussToy]

Wow...that's a major penalty flag there buddy!! Having a S/C just sitting in a box...your in danger of losing your man-card if you don't get busy installing that...lol!! J/K...trust me, I know how life can just throw you a curve ball and mess everything "you" want to do!!

Well I hope things settle down and you can catch-up...so you can have the opportunity to install your toy and have time to play!!!

Good luck my friend

 

[alphyn]

And... back to work on the 4runner

Wow...that's a major penalty flag there buddy!! Having a S/C just sitting in a box...your in danger of losing your man-card if you don't get busy installing that...lol!! J/K...trust me, I know how life can just throw you a curve ball and mess everything "you" want to do!!

Well I hope things settle down and you can catch-up...so you can have the opportunity to install your toy and have time to play!!!

Good luck my friend

Yeah, I'm due a lot of penalty flags. Can't believe I had no motivation for working outside in cold, rainy weather. It's starting to feel like summer again in Portland. One of the reasons I didn't install the S/C sooner was that I kept on reading thread after thread about the stock fuel system not being able to keep up with the demands of the S/C. So, the only option was URD's $900 S/C 7th injector kit. This weekend, I dropped the gas tank, installed a larger fuel pump, and am trying to get the S/C today and tomorrow. And once that's done...

This thread will come back alive and the sound deadening project will be restarted soon. I wanted to get the S/C in there so I have decent baseline measurements, because I am scientific like that. Oh, and yeah. I've completely hit the point where dropping $1k every now and then on aftermarket products is routine. I think I have about $4,500 in to my 4runner above what I paid for it.

- Rebuilt tranny with comp clutch / kit from Marlin with 4.31:1 first gear and short throw shifter ($3,000 installed)
- Supercharger ($1,250)
- URD 7th injector kit ($900)
- Weathertech mats ($300)
- FJ Black Trail Wheels ($600 + $80 to mount tires)
- Winter tires ($700)
- Misc. Sound deadening material and supplies ($200)
- Misc. parts and accessories ($300)
- Roof rack ($200)
- Ski/Snowboard rack ($120)

Crap. That's more than $4,500. That's $7,650. Hopefully the girlfriend doesn't find this thread. And to think I only paid $9k for the truck 3 years ago.

Up next (in my "want to buy" section of my mind):

$600 more on sound deadening materials
$300 new head unit
$300 subwoofer
$900 Addicted Plate Bumper

 

[papabeach]

Yeah, I'm due a lot of penalty flags. Can't believe I had no motivation for working outside in cold, rainy weather. It's starting to feel like summer again in Portland. One of the reasons I didn't install the S/C sooner was that I kept on reading thread after thread about the stock fuel system not being able to keep up with the demands of the S/C. So, the only option was URD's $900 S/C 7th injector kit. This weekend, I dropped the gas tank, installed a larger fuel pump, and am trying to get the S/C today and tomorrow. And once that's done...

This thread will come back alive and the sound deadening project will be restarted soon. I wanted to get the S/C in there so I have decent baseline measurements, because I am scientific like that. Oh, and yeah. I've completely hit the point where dropping $1k every now and then on aftermarket products is routine. I think I have about $4,500 in to my 4runner above what I paid for it.

- Rebuilt tranny with comp clutch / kit from Marlin with 4.31:1 first gear and short throw shifter ($3,000 installed)
- Supercharger ($1,250)
- URD 7th injector kit ($900)
- Weathertech mats ($300)
- FJ Black Trail Wheels ($600 + $80 to mount tires)
- Winter tires ($700)
- Misc. Sound deadening material and supplies ($200)
- Misc. parts and accessories ($300)
- Roof rack ($200)
- Ski/Snowboard rack ($120)

Crap. That's more than $4,500. That's $7,650. Hopefully the girlfriend doesn't find this thread. And to think I only paid $9k for the truck 3 years ago.

Up next (in my "want to buy" section of my mind):

$600 more on sound deadening materials
$300 new head unit
$300 subwoofer
$900 Addicted Plate Bumper

reviving an old thread....any updates?

 

[alphyn]

reviving an old thread....any updates?

No longer have the girlfriend! She moved out and kind of had to rebuild my life. However, I think this means I'm free to spend whatever I want on my truck now I have big plans for winter. In the middle of a round of certifications for work I need to complete before December 17, then it's time to wrench. It's been too long.

 

[papabeach]

Sorry to hear about the transition, hope all is well now and looking forward to seeing updates on your build this winter.

 

[alphyn]

No longer have the girlfriend! She moved out and kind of had to rebuild my life. However, I think this means I'm free to spend whatever I want on my truck now I have big plans for winter. In the middle of a round of certifications for work I need to complete before December 17, then it's time to wrench. It's been too long.

Guess I should clarify what my plans are:

I made the decision to go with lead sheeting on the floor. Might do a layer of dynamat underneath or another sound barrier on top of the lead. I was hesitant outlaying that kind of money at first but don't really care at this point in my life (and the process). After a year, you get to reset the amount of money you're spending on an unfinished project, right?

I think it's going to be somewhere around $200 per lead sheet (3' x 6'), and I'll probably need two.

I'm really looking forward to dynamatting the doors and ceiling. I'm getting a lot of vibrations from my roof rack that could be muted a bit. Also, need to look in to reinforcing my roof for a new / custom rack that can take a bit more weight. I saw few mods that I want to copy.

Also, going to redo all speakers / amps / subs while everything is ripped out. I'm going to need to get a list of what I want to upgrade and where to put everything.

Those are the plans. The dream is still alive. I put the S/C in a few months ago and it's a beast. I installed most of the URD 7th injector kit except for wiring in the performance re-map module. Yup... lots of things happening.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

I was wondering where this thread went!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Strangely I've never thought:

you know what this truck needs? More lead in the interior!

So why use lead for sound dampening again?

This thread will come back alive and the sound deadening project will be restarted soon. I wanted to get the S/C in there so I have decent baseline measurements, because I am scientific like that. Oh, and yeah. I've completely hit the point where dropping $1k every now and then on aftermarket products is routine. I think I have about $4,500 in to my 4runner above what I paid for it.

- Rebuilt tranny with comp clutch / kit from Marlin with 4.31:1 first gear and short throw shifter ($3,000 installed)
- Supercharger ($1,250)
- URD 7th injector kit ($900)
- Weathertech mats ($300)
- FJ Black Trail Wheels ($600 + $80 to mount tires)
- Winter tires ($700)
- Misc. Sound deadening material and supplies ($200)
- Misc. parts and accessories ($300)
- Roof rack ($200)
- Ski/Snowboard rack ($120)

Have you considered a separate thread for your build or is this that thread? I currently have this thread added to the Tutorial & Docs page as a awesome sound deadening writeup.

 

[Menace Kustoms]

Lead has the perfect 1lb/sq ft ratio for deadening.

 

[soldiersnake]

I have some of this material for sale if anyone is interested in it. See my classified add and save yourself some cash.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...d-deadening-material-$120-md.html#post1860397

 

[tx4wl]

Has it been figured out what the best/cost effective way to Sound Deaden a 3rd gen is? This thread was all over the place, no punn intended.

What gave the best results for:

Doors?
Rear cargo area/wheel wells?
Roof/ceiling?
Floor/tranny tunnel?

How much material used for each area gave the best outcome...

 

[poleclimber63]

Well??

Any updates Alphyn?? How has it all turned out??