Fox Body Sound Deadening

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
The time has come to take what I did 12 years ago, and reverse it. All the sound deadener I yanked out needs to go back in.

I looked into the fancy products and couldn't get myself to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a dynamat type product. Out came the cheapskate in me and I purchased some peel and seal from the big box home improvement store. I've read the positives and negatives and decided to give it a try. The entire interior will get this product, including the backside of any exterior sheet metal I can get to.

I intended to use a bed liner or rubber coating as well (either before or after) but got some info on my progress thread to avoid it. Anyone have opinions or suggestions?

I am finding the padded sound deadener from my fathers 1991 and using that where I can (kick panels, trunk plastic, etc.) and may also purchase some new pieces (backside of door panels).

Does anyone have any recommendations for inside the 1/4 area, between the exterior sheet metal and the interior structure? Fill this or simply line with peel and stick? Any spray foam, foam, filling?

Did anything ever come on the rear side of the 1/4 plastic from Ford? I can't recall. I will line this with peel and seal, but want to take any extra steps possible to quiet it down.

Feel free to offer suggestions. I'm doing this on a budget so i don't plan to go out and buy the best products, simply things that will help and not break the bank.

Thanks in advance!
 
  • Sponsors (?)


Interesting, that's the first I heard that. I knew it wasn't as good but I wasn't aware it was that bad.

It will get one layer of whatever goes down, which is better than the zero layers installed now.

Maybe I can find the specs of each and compare, I'm far from an acoustic guru.
 
There is a lot of information out there on sound deadening. Some great, some not so good.

From what I've been able to learn from others and from my own experience, this is what I've had good luck with on several vehicles.

Use a sound deadening product to cover about 60% of all metal panels. Studies have shown that its the most effective verses cost, weight, etc. While layering an entire panel or applying multiple layers does make a difference, it just doesn't make money or weight sense. If budget allows, I usually apply some to plastic panels as well.

Second, apply a closed cell foam product over entire panels, both metal and plastic, to obtain somewhat of a seal and really help to block out noise. There are many different brands and cost of this type of material on the market, just as with sound deadening.

I know many people that also swear by MLV, mass loaded vinyl. I have never used it personally, but have set in vehicles that were nice and quiet with it.

One of the things that I have also used, especially on the inside of plastic panels, is your standard jute type carpet pad. You will find this type of material already in most vehicles. It is not too expensive, and can be ordered from several online places.

I usually order most of my sound deadening and closed cell foam from RAAMAudio. I usually order most of my carpet, vinyl, and that jute type material from Your Auto Trim Store. Both have websites.

I hope at least some, if not all, of this helps. Best of luck!!
 
MFE92, not a recording studio, but I'd like it better than original, which would be worlds better than how it sits now. Now it has I glue down stuff (I removed it), no original material under carpet or behind panels, no moisture barrier behind doors, etc. basically I took it all out years ago and the goal is to put it back to a higher standard.

Audiophile, I was recommended to RAAMaudio through a friend. I've looked on their site some but getting an explanation from you as to what will work the best is a great resource.

When you say closed cell foam, is there a product you have in mind? Anything you have had good luck with. Keep in mind budget is a huge part of this. As much as I would live to drop $500+ on all of it, it's just not financially something I want to do.
 
http://www.raamaudio.com/ensolite-i...ended-absolutely-the-best-foam-on-the-market/

I did not see a jute product, but saw this on the RAAMAUDIO website. Would this product over a peel and stick be beneficial?

The link above takes me to the Ensolite product. Yes, that is what I have used on my last 2 vehicles. I use their CLD tiles, or as they call it, BXT II, which is the sound deadening. I then use this Ensolite product (closed cell foam) over that. I use it specifically behind the door panels, on the inside of plastic panels, etc.

I usually buy one of the kits that includes the BXT II and the Ensolite. I know its not cheap by any means, but if you apply it as described in their "How To" it can really go quite a ways.

Here is a link to the jute product I was speaking of:

http://www.yourautotrim.com/carpetpadding.html

I usually use a combination of all of them, just based on the vehicle and where I think they each apply and work the best. I will warn you ahead of time, the jute material can be a little difficult to cut. I use a combo of a sharp razor blade or box cutter and some industrial shears. It can still be challenging.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
 
The link that MFE92 provides above contains some very good info. I have been to his site many times before. There are quite a few members in the audio world that swear by his stuff. I don't think you can go wrong with either.
 
My RAAMaudio stuff actually showed up yesterday. I bought the CLD tiles and ensolite. It is true that you don't need 100% coverage with the CLD tiles. The idea of the tiles is to remove resonance from large, flat panels. Anything with a curve won't produce resonance, so it's a waste of money to cover every inch of your car. Of course, many of the companies tell you to cover everything because it makes them more money, so why not.

Mass Loaded Vinyl (stuff in MFE's link) is definitely the way to go to reduce cabin noise. I have to be honest though, that stuff looks like the biggest pain to install. It's not very flexible and you have to seal the seams. It's just not something I'm interested in dealing with. The CLD tiles, ensolite, and mass-back carpet will suit my needs.
 
All great info being passed around here.

I did a lot of reading and looking last night. It's going to come down to the price:comfort ratio. As it stands I'm working with nearly no sound deadening. I can spend a little on home improvement store and home made tricks and get a certain level of comfort. Or I can spend more on the right specific made products and get that extra comfort... The decisions to make!

As it stands now I am using the peel and seal on the backside of my interior plastic. I did the drivers door panel, rear hatch plastic (the two pieces along the back) and tonight I'm hoping to finish up the center console and kick panels. I'm ok with using the peel and seal here for now, and if I decide to spring for the good stuff, I will use that on the chassis.
 
This stuff is cheaper than Dynamat, $20.00 just to insulate speakers whereas this GTMAT can cover 1 or 2 door panels for $25.00.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KNZ2S4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My fox has no sound dampening on the door panels so I ordered this to go along with my new 6.5 inch door speakers :)
According to the reviews, these GTMATs are thinner than Dynamat but if you do 2 layers it's just as good.
I'll post my results if you'd like.