Do I need sound deadening tiles?

[Barry57]

I’m preparing to start converting my TC.  I’m using thinsulite to insulate it and was planning to use kilmat to improve sound deadening.  A friend suggested that the thinsulite would be enough.  What is your experience?

[RDinNHandAZ]

I’ve done a couple of vans and I think the thinsulite will be so close to what  it and the kilmat together would do you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. However after spending the money on some Kilmat you probably would say it was quieter just to believe you spent the money well.  Your phone should be able to get an app that is a decibel meter to record how well it works.

Much of the noise often comes from the front and rear wheel wells so if you can improve them their you will gain a lot. On my previous van I used a heavy layer of ruberized spray undercoat to good effect inside the wheel wells and this one I boxed the rears with insulation between the box and tin. My TC 2010 has reflexix on all the walls covered with thin carpet. That helps a lot.

[Barry57]

So pay some extra attention to the wells and thinsulite should do for the rest.  Good advice.  Thanks.  What’s your position on a battery shunt?  I have one source that says yes and one

that says no.

[windguy]

13 hours ago, Barry57 said:

I’m preparing to start converting my TC. 

What year TC?

Cargo or Wagon?

[Barry57]

So pay some extra attention to the wells and thinsulite should do for the rest.  Good advice.  Thanks.  What’s your position on a battery shunt?  I have one source that says yes and one

that says no.

[Barry57]

I’m trying to get used to the forum format.  I’m not sure who I’m responding to, but my van in a 2018 lwb cargo van.

[Don Ridley]

Sound deadening is a science and you can go down some deep rabbit holes on the internet trying to find a reasonable solution. You want two types of deadening material: the heavy butyl stick on panels like Kilmat, Dynamat etc and soft foam-like insulation.  The Kilmat panels only need to cover about 30% to be effective. I loaded the door panels and the rear floor with them. The softer insulation works like you would expect...it blocks sound as opposed to the panels that keep the metal from creating sound.

 

So, just put something in. It will work better than nothing. FYI, all vehicles are made with sound deadening panels on the body panels. They look like painted over patches of tar.

 

 

Edited December 13, 2024 by Don Ridley

[windguy]

10 hours ago, Barry57 said:

I’m trying to get used to the forum format.  I’m not sure who I’m responding to, but my van in a 2018 lwb cargo van.

 

You're replying to my question about what year/model.

My van is a 2015 Cargo, similar to your 2018.

 

See the link below for a discussion about sound proofing.

Also consider adding in a storage hatch in the foot well area if that's not on your mod list.

It's great having the extra place to stash things.

There are multiple threads discussing this mod besides the one below.

Good luck!