Changed XLT to Acoustic Windshield

[dn325ci]

At 10,000 miles on my '24 XLT EB AWD, I had two chips in my factory windshield, one was a significant hit that was a small, quarter-sized spider web of cracks.

Last Friday I had the acoustic windshield from the Lariat installed on my XLT. It fits fine. The Ford parts people said I needed to buy a new cover for the inside, but I don't know why because it looks exactly the same to my eye. The price difference between the standard windshield replacement and the acoustic windshield is only like $35. The cover I bought was another $30, but I should have asked them to try to fit the original. Anyway, the bottom line is it can be done.

There is a noticeable but small improvement in wind noise reduction. I can tell it's a little quieter but it didn't change my life. I have the factory optioned Falken Wildpeak AT3W's, which are noisier than the standard all-seasons, and I'm noticing the tire noise slightly more after the wind reduction from the windshield. I also have the fender insulators from the Lariat, which does help knock down a bit of the road noise from the front tires that enters at the front doors.

Overall, if you need a windshield replacement for some reason, have them put in the acoustic in, as the cost difference is rather trivial.

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[dn325ci]

 

[Bear]

When my windshield cracked b/c of a rock, this is exactly what I did as well and the insurance company never questioned it.

 

[TrailMaster]

Thanks for the info. I suspected the acoustic windshield wouldn't make a huge difference with wind noise. I've read it's more durable, so hopefully it'll resist chipping better. Replacing windshields sucks.

 

[710-oil-614]

Yep. Coming from a 2023 Tremor to a 2025 Lariat Hybrid it is definitely quieter and more refined but I feel like I notice the wind noise coming from the doors more now than I ever did in the Tremor, again - probably because everything is quieter now.

 

[TrailMaster]

The wind noise coming through the doors and around the driver and passenger windows on my XLT is pretty significant. I'm starting to think that's the culprit.

 

[icegradner]

The wind noise coming through the doors and around the driver and passenger windows on my XLT is pretty significant. I'm starting to think that's the culprit.

Yes. The strange thing, at least early on, was some trucks came with sound dampening foam blocks between the engine bay and door area. In 2022 it seemed to be random, now I think only Lariats get it.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I have a 23 hybrid XLT.
Is this the sound deadening foam pad that blocks the wind noise from the doors?

 

[710-oil-614]

I have a 23 hybrid XLT.
Is this the sound deadening foam?

Glen - that is the fender well sound deadening and the 2022-2023 it was really hit or miss if you got it or not. My Tremor did not have it. Most (if not all) Lariats did, but XL and XLT it was a crapshoot. I think by 2024 Ford went back to the fender well foam inserts.

My 2025 Lariat has that.

Also has the acoustic windshield but the wind noise from the doors is where I hear most noise.

 

[dhaskit]

https://www.fordpartscatalog.com/search?search_str=windshield

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Glen - that is the fender well sound deadening and the 2022-2023 it was really hit or miss if you got it or not. My Tremor did not have it. Most (if not all) Lariats did, but XL and XLT it was a crapshoot. I think by 2024 Ford went back to the fender well foam inserts.

My 2025 Lariat has that.

Also has the acoustic windshield but the wind noise from the doors is where I hear most noise.

Thank you.
My theory as to why some Mavericks got the sound deadening between the fender and some didn't. Is they ran short on the assembly line. Not being a critical part the assembly line wasn't stopped.

 

[710-oil-614]

Thank you.
My theory as to why some Mavericks got the sound deadening between the fender and some didn't. Is they ran short on the assembly line. Not being a critical part the assembly line wasn't stopped.

I agree and I honestly never felt it was an issue in my Tremor. I do agree that water intrusion DOES make it to those foam inserts and they are bound to trap water there but the paint coverage is actually pretty decent there from Ford. My Model 3 (free dark gray) turned to a light gray/white where that insulation is because they cut corners not to spray there.

 

[MightyMaverick]

Glen - that is the fender well sound deadening and the 2022-2023 it was really hit or miss if you got it or not. My Tremor did not have it. Most (if not all) Lariats did, but XL and XLT it was a crapshoot. I think by 2024 Ford went back to the fender well foam inserts.

My 2025 Lariat has that.

Also has the acoustic windshield but the wind noise from the doors is where I hear most noise.

My 2022 Lariat was one of the unlucky ones that didn't come with the foam insulation pads. As a result, there was noticeable engine noise on top of the wind noise. My 2024 Lariat FX4 addressed that. There's not as much engine noise but definitely a noticeable reduction in wind noise.

 

[No Brand]

What is this cover you refer to?

The forward facing camera cover?

 

[dn325ci]

I have a 23 hybrid XLT.
Is this the sound deadening foam?

Yes, these are the fender noise insulators I put in. L and R sides are slightly different.

Important install tip: The trick is to not try to install them only from the top - you end up pushing the foam and it just bunches up and can tear on the exposed bolt heads. Turn the steering wheel all the way left, get low, pull those reusable plastic rivets at the back of the wheel well liner and use that area as access to pull the insulators down into position. Go back and forth a few times - up high push down, down low pull into position. It was easy once I figured this out. Do the driver's side first - slightly less obstructed than the passenger side. Once you've done driver's side, you'll know how to handle passenger's side.

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