corax
02-08-2011, 05:45 PM
The old 4runners were never very well insulated even from new - now it's a bit drafty, the interior cools off quickly and it takes awhile to get everything warmed up in cold weather (heater works fine).
I've been reading recently about using Thinsulate as a sound absorbing material in the hopes of using it for the interior side panels - Toyota already uses a type of Thinsulate on the Prius, and it's also common in marine applications to reduce sound levels. My thoughts being that it's lighter than Dynamat or other products, is somewhat moisture resistant and serves a dual function without having to be glued or adhered onto the panels (a plus if you ever have to get behind it to run wires, etc). The only downside is that for any sound deadening it seems you should have at least 1" thickness. So sandwiching it between the interior panel and the metal structure is probably out, and I can't think of any slick way to secure it on the outboard side of the metal structure so it doesn't just fall down into a pile (or muck up the window crank on the doors).
In the process of looking at Thinsulate, I ran into InsulBrite. (http://www.warmcompany.com/ibpage.html) This is much thinner (less than 1/16") so it will fit between tight fitting panels better, though I don't think it'll deaden sound as much.
Insul~Bright consists of hollow, polyester fibers needlepunched through a nonwoven substrate and through a reflective metalized poly film. The needled material is breathable and won’t break down with washing. The hollow fibers resist conduction while the reflective metalized poly film resists radiant energy. The energy, hot or cold, is reflected back to its source.
Before I buy more material and get started on the rear panels, does anyone have experience making the inside a bit cozier in cold weather?
Here's what I did with the doors so far, with the space-blanket part facing the interior of the vehicle:
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/InsulBrite.jpg
The other part of this project will have me replacing both door weatherstrips (23 yrs is a good life for the originals) and trying to seal the entire cab up a bit better. I already started on the tailgate (you can see the red dirt from Utah on the rear sill plate - the red arrow points to the weatherstrip that I added on, the original weatherstrip runs outside the new seal)
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/04fix.jpg
I've been reading recently about using Thinsulate as a sound absorbing material in the hopes of using it for the interior side panels - Toyota already uses a type of Thinsulate on the Prius, and it's also common in marine applications to reduce sound levels. My thoughts being that it's lighter than Dynamat or other products, is somewhat moisture resistant and serves a dual function without having to be glued or adhered onto the panels (a plus if you ever have to get behind it to run wires, etc). The only downside is that for any sound deadening it seems you should have at least 1" thickness. So sandwiching it between the interior panel and the metal structure is probably out, and I can't think of any slick way to secure it on the outboard side of the metal structure so it doesn't just fall down into a pile (or muck up the window crank on the doors).
In the process of looking at Thinsulate, I ran into InsulBrite. (http://www.warmcompany.com/ibpage.html) This is much thinner (less than 1/16") so it will fit between tight fitting panels better, though I don't think it'll deaden sound as much.
Insul~Bright consists of hollow, polyester fibers needlepunched through a nonwoven substrate and through a reflective metalized poly film. The needled material is breathable and won’t break down with washing. The hollow fibers resist conduction while the reflective metalized poly film resists radiant energy. The energy, hot or cold, is reflected back to its source.
Before I buy more material and get started on the rear panels, does anyone have experience making the inside a bit cozier in cold weather?
Here's what I did with the doors so far, with the space-blanket part facing the interior of the vehicle:
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/InsulBrite.jpg
The other part of this project will have me replacing both door weatherstrips (23 yrs is a good life for the originals) and trying to seal the entire cab up a bit better. I already started on the tailgate (you can see the red dirt from Utah on the rear sill plate - the red arrow points to the weatherstrip that I added on, the original weatherstrip runs outside the new seal)
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/04fix.jpg