Deadening headliner...

[MyATV]

The sound we hear inside the passenger compartment comes not only through the windows and panels, but is also transmitted through the body structure itself (which a headliner probably has little effect on).
After riding in them this week, I felt like my Jeep hardtop WITHOUT headliner was quieter than a Bronco WITH headliner. But that's just how I felt. Without scientific data to back it up, it's meaningless.
So many things can contribute to our sense of what we [think we] hear. Engine noise; tire noise; road noise; gear noise; wind noise; vibration (which can translate from feeling into hearing). A headliner is just one tool. How much effort the mfr put into isolating all the mechanical parts (engine, trany, suspension, even the top itself) probably has more effect on noise than any headliner would.
Knowing the Bronco hardtop is lighter (thinner?) than the Jeep (and maybe its windows are too), causes me to believe it also doesn't have the sound-deadening qualities a heavier, thicker hardtop would. (Think: a home audio speaker made out of 3/4"-thick wood versus 1/4"-thick wood. The less resonance, the better.)
I would opt for it though.

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[Wanted33]

My only concern with the headliner is if there will be better aftermarket options.

Specifically, the Hothead Headliner looks to be a quality product that might provide better benefits.

Clarissa, this was what I was going to mention. The only comparison I can make is the Hot Head headliner I installed in my Jeep. It helps with the heat from the sun, and it does calm down the sound inside my Jeep. Not that the Jeep was extremely load in the first place. What surprised me was that the head liner also helped with the sound of the Alpine system. Like @Skeletor I'm going to wait on Hot Head to offer their headliner. The ones they designed for the Jeep are better quality than factory, and they also sell sound deadening strips that go between the liner, and the roof. Well worth the little extra the strips cost. And, as an added value the head liner gives the interior a more finished look.

I do recommend Hot Head. Mark is going to design a liner for the Bronco's as soon as he can get his hands on one. IMHO his Jeep liners are better quality, and a better price than the factory liners. And I expect the Bronco's to be the same.

https://hotheadheadliners.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk7Tw4K2X8AIVAWxvBB1ANgVDEAAYASAAEgLq-PD_BwE

 

[tn3sport]

Rode in a Badlands without the deadening headliner yesterday at SuperCel East. 55 mph, normal conversation levels. Noise is a non-issue with or without the headliner...

 

[linbackr99]

Free for the WT (and others) . . . so I'll be having it - would've ordered anyway. Had a miserable Gladiator loaner last spring and was horribly noisy (not to mention the other things wrong with it!) . . . can not hurt!

 

[Clarice]

Rode in a Badlands without the deadening headliner yesterday at SuperCel East. 55 mph, normal conversation levels. Noise is a non-issue with or without the headliner...

Thank you

 

[NotaVegetarian]

I’m deaf so for me not much need for a radio either

 

[BroncoAgain]

The noise actually comes from the floor and firewall. The roof interior just echos the sound. A thick sound deadener on the floor would help and up the sides in the rear. The noise at 55 will be nothing but at 80 will be loud. Also curved glass is quieter than flat. The Wrangler has flat glass .

 

[AZ_Liberty]

My Mustang is perfectly fine at 65. At 80+ the noise is pretty bad. With a 75 mph speed limit on my drive to work, 85 is barely keeping up with traffic.

I'll be paying the extra $500 for the headliner. If it's still free when I get to order mine all the better.

 

[MyATV]

Also curved glass is quieter than flat. The Wrangler has flat glass.

My 2-door hardtop Wrangler has 6 windows, and none of them are flat. What I have noticed is the Bronco's windshield appears to have more curvature (horizontal) than the Jeep, and also seems to be more swept-back or angled back (more aerodynamic) - which may help with noise slightly. But more noise comes from the roof than from the windshield, so any differences in noise production from slightly different windshields is probably negligible at best.

 

[NotaVegetarian]

I like the hard top, a noise reduction headliner would probably make the ride more enjoyable for my passengers, ok add it on the list.

 

[Schnabby]

I've got two Jeep's one with and one without the headliner. The one with the headliner is noticeably quieter. The appearance is better also. If we are spending $60K for a Bronco its needed plus its 'free' now.

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