Opinions: Noise reduction vs staying original

[Crowbob]

Gentleman,

As many here know, I have a totally rust-free almost 100% original Suzuki Samurai, including paint.

I’ve removed all the old, musty, worn-out carpeting such that the interior is all pristine and perfect factory-painted metal. This means interior road noise and mechanicals (transmission, transfer case, differentials and engine) are really loud, especially at ‘speed’ (stop laughing).

Because I’d like to do some interior noise-reduction such as dyna-mat or whatever, and because that dyna-mat or similar products are pretty much permanent when glued to the metal, I have a conundrum and need advice.

If I go with installing sound insulation (with new carpet overlaid) what effect, if any, will this mod have on the collectibility of the car? All the mods I’ve done so far can be removed and restored to original with no permanent changes to the vehicle. It is essentially an unmodified 1987 Samurai in almost perfect, original condition-which is becoming very, very rare, apparently.

Thank you!

[ErVikingo]

I have gone through that conundrum when working on my old 911s. Do I keep the old rust prone heater boxes or upgrade to stainless or have the originals coated (for example)?

Very personal decision but, if you are enjoying of planning to enjoy the Samurai (cool toy!) put the dynamat, make it comfortable to YOU. You are the one using it, when its time to sell, describe it as an upgrade (which it is).

In your particular case, you might be able to use an underlayment which is not glued to the chassis. One of my prior cars (an Infinity Q45) had sections of a think rubbery vinyl pad under the carpet. It was not part of the carpet nor was it glued.

hope that helps!

[Crowbob]

It does!

Thank you.

Here’s a representational pic showing the condition of the interior paint on the transmission tunnel, doors, etc. anybody who knows about these little beasts are familiar with how bad the iron moths love these things. I’m having huge trouble covering the original condition. I hate these decisions so bad!

[ErVikingo]

I love it! Really cool!!!!!!

They are surprisingly capable. They were very popular in PR when i was growing up.

The seats look perfect!

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EDIT: Look for Mass Loaded Vinyl. It comes in rolls and you can lay it under the carpet!

for example: https://www.acoustimac.com/soundproofing/sl-mlv-lt100-half-lb?utm_term=&utm_campaign=PMax/Soundproofing/2023&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=4716037441&hsa_cam=17872871493&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAloavBhBOEiwAbtAJO-jn_DQpC97JsZ8i5s51Km7LVomBZqM8LV0RZyZU-AdtZP7ljDGm2BoC678QAvD_BwE

[Crowbob]

Those are new third row stow-n-go seats from a Chrysler Town and Country minivan. The original seats are in storage.

‘Mass-loaded vinyl’? I’ll check it out!

[ErVikingo]

I like them!

[911 Rod]

How often do you drive at speed?
I like the look and would leave it as is.

[Crowbob]

It’s almost a daily driver in summer. The noise level off-road is not bad. I think the biggest source of the sound is the transmission and transfer case. So as speed goes up, so does the noise.

I’m leaning toward something removable. When (if) I sell I can just pull back the carpet, etc, and show how solid the car is.

It may not be worth the effort-which is part of my dilemma.

[rwest]

Just thinking out loud, but what about using magnetic sheets to deaden the sheet metal areas?

You’ll need to figure out if the vibration of the panels is causing your noise or if is just the loudness of the mechanical stuff. If it’s a loudness problem, then insulation and filling in gaps where the sound can find its way into the cab would be the answers

If all else fail, louder stereo is always my go to!

[Crowbob]

I’ve never heard what it sounds like on the road from the outside. I think I could tell if it’s resonance or mechanical that way.

The t-case mounts are solid metal. That would transfer sound directly to the steel of the cab. Also, when in neutral coasting down hill at speed it is significantly quieter. That tells me its mechanical, too.

[rfuerst911sc]

Can soundproofing material be added to the underside ? Like the transmission tunnel ? Then non glued carpet pad on the interior with carpet over that . It's never going to be a limo but gains can be had . Nice SUV by the way .

[Crowbob]

I never thought of proofing the underside. I’m sure trans would have to come out, though. I’ll have a look.

Thanks!

[Scott Douglas]

My brother-in-law had one of these a number of years ago. I got to drive it some.
I think you'd be ruining the experience of driving the car if you tried to deaden the sound.
It didn't strike me as the type of car you'd want or need to be quiet. All the added weight would probably slow it down too.

[Crowbob]

Good points, Scott.

Basically what it is now is a really, really nice UTV that’s road legal and seats 4 (two of which uncomfortably). The weight would slow it down, but I’ve noticed with passenger(s) the weight softens the ride, shifting is easier (due to inertia, I would guess) and is quieter for some reason.

It has medium weight springs which are pretty stiff.

I’m definitely leaning toward carpet only, not glued down, of course. I’d use the original plastic clips. Probably won’t make it much quieter, though.

Thank you all for your advices.

[Scott Douglas]

Just as a refer point as to how I formed my opinion.
First vehicle I ever owned was a '58 CJ 5 Jeep.
After I got the engine rebuild done I used it to commute to UCLA from Santa Monica. Took my bike with me so I could ride it onto campus after parking south of Wilshire Blvd.
The Sami struck me as being a slightly more sophisticated version of that car, but not much more. I had a new top/doors on the Jeep so it was about the same weather protection wise. The Jeep was very utilitarian in that it had 5.38 gears in it and could climb telephone poles if asked to do so. The Sami was a little more user friendly but not to the point I'd invest the time/money in sound deadening.

[Scott Douglas]

To figure out if the panels are resonating, I think I'd get some big magnets and put them in the middle of the offending panels to see if that deadened the sound any.

[Ayles]

What about a layer of automotive carpet padding?

[deanp]

Is the carpet kit formed to the shape of the pan? I don't know if it's possible, but can you adhere the dyna-mat to the carpet instead of the body and that way it is 'removable" with the carpet if needed?

[KFC911]

Get some ear plugs and leave it alone ! I purchase a Jeep CJ5 (V8) when I was 17 (I mowed a lot of lawns ) and immediately voided the warranty but putting on headers and side pipes.... no carpet, no radio, topless from mid-March to mid-Sept.... it was NOT a limo!

Leave Sam alone.... it's perfect as is ... and fancy

[john70t]

Dynamat under the areas carpeted would be my vote