Thread: Sound insulation for Defender

Update: Finished off the passenger side, and rear. Passenger side made a bit more difference. Doing the rear passenger floor, and under the bench seat has made a big difference. The RAAMmat works very well in stopping the drumming road noise through all the flat pannels in the car. This is added to some thick rubber, and closed cell foam on the floor and transmission tunnel. Have not taken any long trips since I have installed, but on short trips, it has cut out a lot of noise. Should also cut out some heat from the exhaust, and engine. All up cost was about $350 dollars, and in my opinion money well spent. About 7 hours time to do it, but a fair bit was spent on removing the self adhesive closed cell foam I had on the floor. (put it back in on top of the RAAMmatt).
In conclusion:
1. Doors made a big difference.
2. Floors, and transmission tunnel made a bigger difference.
3. Once I remove the air conditioner unit, (I plan to move it to the rear, and make more passenger foot room), I will try and get to the firewall, and put some on it. This should cut some more of the engine rattle.

All up a fantastic car has been made even better, and more comfortable for the use I intend to use it for. Long distance touring, and Serious off road exploring.

Nice job. Am part way through doing mine, and have been using the matting that Dave sells. (Used 2.5mm version in the rear under the home made storage, but am going to use the 5mm stuff for the whole floor in the hope it shuts the road noise up). However, the foil stuff you have looks very useful for in the doors and the firewall - where did you get it from in the US, and how much did it cost to ship?

Also, just out of interest, is that factory central locking in the drivers door? Have been meaning to fit a kit to mine for ages....

Jeff,
Here is a link to a web page that I got off this forum.

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/

It has useful info, and I contacted Rick at RAAMatt from there. Shiping was not a hastle, but might be now, as the international shipping for UPS has changed. Just contact them and see. It was about $70 dollars U.S. to ship, and about $270 in product. Took about 6 weeks to arrive. There are other companies that sell similar products, but none that I could find here in Aus.
I have seen a tar/aluminium product (for roofing repairs) that looks similar at Bunnings, but suspect it would melt if subjected to any sort of heat. Did get the 2.5mm heavy vinyl from Dave. Great product, and works well.
As for the automatic locks, they came standard on my car, as it is a 2005 Defender.

Cheers,

Ken

Thanks for that. I think I'll borrow a sound meter and see if I can measure a difference from the before and after too....now to get something ordered. The combination of exhaust, MTR's and me driving it harder soince tweaking the engine has resulted in the noise going up somewhat from when I bought it.

Hi Ken, that is what I want to do too. I've been looking for mats, but havn't decided which one to go yet.

Here is some pics what I've done for sound insulation from outside of the car. It made noticable difference + some sort of body protection. Can't tell how much it costs, because I've got offcuts for free

See the rubber mat (conveyer rubber) 800x600x10mm under rear passenger floor:



Left and right underfloor space covered too (rubber bolted to rock slider):





I don't worry about stone chips, and very easy to wash after playing in mud.

Cheers,
Ruslan

Hello Ruslan,
Looks good. Any chance of saving some more offcuts in the future for me? I would like to line the wheel wells, and under the floor like you have done. Mount Gambier is only a short drive from Melbourne, and would like to head to the Grampians when it gets warmer.

Cheers,

Ken

Originally Posted by Mudnut

It has useful info, and I contacted Rick at RAAMatt from there. Shiping was not a hastle, but might be now, as the international shipping for UPS has changed.

Yep, he now can't ship from the US unless by sea crate, so won't do it for just a couple of rolls! Typical.

Originally Posted by Mudnut

Hello Ruslan,
Looks good. Any chance of saving some more offcuts in the future for me? I would like to line the wheel wells, and under the floor like you have done. Mount Gambier is only a short drive from Melbourne, and would like to head to the Grampians when it gets warmer.

Cheers,

Ken

Hello Ken,
I can't promise, but I'll try. I do not have much time today, so will visit them next week and let you know about results.

Or/and PM me when you going to be in our area, I'll take you to that place. There are many sorts off different rubber strips, you will find something for your wheel wells for sure.

Cheers,
Ruslan