XL Hybrid Road Noise Reduction

[TennesseeVic]

Looking for recommendations to reduce road noise. For me, it's most noticeable on the highways. I just learned about dyamats on this forum. Any other ideas?

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[Ozarkbeard]

I added two incremental noise reductions for my XL Hybrid:

• I had Dynamat added in the front doors only (added at time of better speaker install). Road noise was reduced and front doors don't sound like a tin can now, when closing them.
• I stuffed HVAC pipe insulation in the open gap between the engine compartment and the front doors. Big decrease in road/wind/engine noise coming from that area. The higher trim Mavericks include foam insulation in that area.

I recommend doing both of those. And better speakers. I had the doors/speaker work done at an aftermarket car electronics shop and would do it over again. Crutchfield is a good source for speakers & Dynamat insulation.

 

[svllcn]

I added two incremental noise reductions for my XL Hybrid:

• I had Dynamat added in the front doors only (added at time of better speaker install). Road noise was reduced and front doors don't sound like a tin can now, when closing them.
• I stuffed HVAC pipe insulation in the open gap between the engine compartment and the front doors. Big decrease in road/wind/engine noise coming from that area. The higher trim Mavericks include foam insulation in that area.

I recommend doing both of those. And better speakers. I had the doors/speaker work done at an aftermarket car electronics shop and would do it over again. Crutchfield is a good source for speakers & Dynamat insulation.

Can you attach a pic of where you put the pipe insulation?

 

[squirlz]

There are many things to help reduce noise.

CLD (Constrained Layer Damping)
These are dampers, they do not block sound or absorb sound, they reduce resonances. Dynomat is by far the most known, for your purposes any product will do. Try to find the thickest product you can for your budget. Apply to the outer door skin. You do not need total coverage if you are just trying to reduce road noise, maybe 50% just to reduce the resonance of the large flat surfaces, apply in large sheets, not small peices. For audio purposes, you would want more coverage and both the outer and inner door skins.

Sound absorber
3M Thinsulate
Put this between the door panel and the inner door skin. It will help isolate the surfaces and absorb some sound. This would is also great for above the headliner and stuffing into all of the small spaces behind any plastic panel.

Mineral wool
If you really want to fill the cavities behind panels, I would suggest Mineral wool as it is easier to stuff into small spaces and is cheaper. Just tear apart and stuff anywhere you see fit.


Sound barrier
MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl) or equivalent
This is very effective at blocking sound from coming in. There are may varieties you can find, some specific for automotive applications, but can get expensive. This can be put under the carpet on the floor, in doors, on the firewall, or on the rear wall. This works best with full coverage, cut and overlap to mold to contours.

Butyl tape/rope
This is great for reducing rattles. It does not harden and can be molded into switches, between joints on interior panels, between metal braces and sheet metal, or anywhere something is rattling.

There are many write ups on audio forums like https://www.diymobileaudio.com/forums/.

I think your best bet is to do a little CLD on the outer door skins of all 4 doors, on the rear wall, and roof, again 50% coverage will be enough. Sound absorber between the door panel and inner door skin. MLV on the floor and rear wall.

I think for around $300 you could make quite a difference.
Generic CLD - $70 - Amazon Baiscs
Thinsulate - 10 linear feet $110 -diyvan
Sound barrier - $115 - Menards
Butyl tape - $9 - Menards

You can start with just one and keep adding until you are happy.

 

[jorl]

Bridgestone tires

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Can you attach a pic of where you put the pipe insulation?

Here's one of the passenger side. There's a couple gaps at the top I missed bc I ran out of insulation.

The pipe insulation I used had a linear slit with self-adhesive strip to attach it with.

 

[svllcn]

Here's one of the passenger side. There's a couple gaps at the top I missed bc I ran out of insulation.

The pipe insulation I used had a linear slit with self-adhesive strip to attach it with.

Thanks! Will try this out.

 

[Waterick]

You also might purchase and install a hood insulator. They are now available for the Maverick.

 

[tccontender]

be careful not to use moisture absorbing material as it will rot your steel out faster than a '81 K car.

 

[TennesseeVic]

Here's one of the passenger side. There's a couple gaps at the top I missed bc I ran out of insulation.

The pipe insulation I used had a linear slit with self-adhesive strip to attach it with.

Is this https://ford.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/ford-insulator-pad-nz6z16071a that?

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Is this https://ford.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/ford-insulator-pad-nz6z16071a that?

That's the purpose of that part.

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