DIY Headliner using Dynamat and Dynaliner

[porjos]

After finding out the Ford NVH headliner is essentially $480 carpet, I decided to make my own headliner. For $260 I got:

* Dynamat mats (67 Mil thick - butyl rubber with aluminum backing, self-adhesive)
* 1/8 thick Dynaliner closed/open cell foam (self-adhesive)
* Some charcoal grey indoor/outdoor carpet

Here's the finished driver's side, in comparison to the bare MIC on the passenger side:

It was relatively simple:

Step 1: Clean and prep surface
Step 2: Apply sound deadener wherever it wasn't obstructing the latches or the weather stripping where it's seated on the vehicle.
Step 3: Apply closed/open cell foam to the recessed parts of the top for increased sound deadening/insultation.
Step 4: Measure and cut some carpet, I used a combination of Gorilla spray glue and well-placed VHB/3M strips.

Result: The sound improved greatly, and that's what I was looking for - still noisier than a Prius of course, but night and day compared to the bare MIC.

 

[trenttrizzy]

So just to confirm, you glued the new carpet to the existing sound-deadening carpet? I’m interested in doing this myself when i get mine. It looks great btw!

 

[porjos]

So just to confirm, you glued the new carpet to the existing sound-deadening carpet?

I didn't opt for the free headliner, only because I knew I'd be taking it off immediately...so there was no existing carpet when I started, just bare top!

 

[trenttrizzy]

I didn't opt for the free headliner, only because I knew I'd be taking it off immediately...so there was no existing carpet when I started, just bare top!

Ah, gotcha. Thanks
For the clarification. If you mentioned it above, sorry for missing it. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Blksn955.o]

looks nice. I got the ford headliner since it was free. I figure if it sucks too bad I will pull it and either do a hot head setup or something like you did.

Great job.

 

[That_Hal]

Looks better then the factory option!

 

[lakesinai]

After finding out the Ford NVH headliner is essentially $480 carpet, I decided to make my own headliner. For $260 I got:

* Dynamat mats (67 Mil thick - butyl rubber with aluminum backing, self-adhesive)
* 1/8 thick Dynaliner closed/open cell foam (self-adhesive)
* Some charcoal grey indoor/outdoor carpet

Here's the finished driver's side, in comparison to the bare MIC on the passenger side:

It was relatively simple:

Step 1: Clean and prep surface
Step 2: Apply sound deadener wherever it wasn't obstructing the latches or the weather stripping where it's seated on the vehicle.
Step 3: Apply closed/open cell foam to the recessed parts of the top for increased sound deadening/insultation.
Step 4: Measure and cut some carpet, I used a combination of Gorilla spray glue and well-placed VHB/3M strips.

Result: The sound improved greatly, and that's what I was looking for - still noisier than a Prius of course, but night and day compared to the bare MIC.

Nice job there. Acoustics is a fascinating art and science. Science because its known how sound waves move and reflect and absorb, art because making that science work practically in a real-life environment involves aesthetic design choices. I got the free factory liner, and its better than nothing, but I could do more if I wanted to give up headroom, or add weight to the panels, or . . .

 

[porjos]

Nice job there. Acoustics is a fascinating art and science. Science because its known how sound waves move and reflect and absorb, art because making that science work practically in a real-life environment involves aesthetic design choices. I got the free factory liner, and its better than nothing, but I could do more if I wanted to give up headroom, or add weight to the panels, or . . .

I was initially worried about throwing off the top weight. The foam pads weigh next to nothing, but the butyl rubber mats do add weight - I probably distributed 50-60 pounds of it around the entire top. I'm not too worried about it however, I didn't get a roof rack nor plan on it - and I would assume that to be comparable in weight.

In retrospect, I could have gone with the 1/2 thick foam and gotten better insulation/acoustics (I'm not a tall dude). I originally opted for the 1/8 because I didn't want to steal too much headroom.

 

[KABQ]

Dynamat is relatively heavy. How much weight did this add to the front panels, and are they still easily manageable on and off?

 

[WuNgUn]

How do you figure $480 for the Ford headliner?

 

[porjos]

Dynamat is relatively heavy. How much weight did this add to the front panels, and are they still easily manageable on and off?

The mats are heavy!

However, the front panels were small enough where it didn't make too much of a difference...I can still do it easily - probably added ~5 or so pounds per panel. The back portion however - now requires two people to remove without getting a hernia. The sound and insulation it provides however is so noticeable that it was worth the trade-off.

If you're building a race Bronco, you don't want this stuff

 

[lakesinai]

I was initially worried about throwing off the top weight. The foam pads weigh next to nothing, but the butyl rubber mats do add weight - I probably distributed 50-60 pounds of it around the entire top. I'm not too worried about it however, I didn't get a roof rack nor plan on it - and I would assume that to be comparable in weight.

In retrospect, I could have gone with the 1/2 thick foam and gotten better insulation/acoustics (I'm not a tall dude). I originally opted for the 1/8 because I didn't want to steal too much headroom.

I like what you did, Im just interested in the trade-offs and Im not familiar with automotive acoustic products. Would you show a side edge view of the materials you used and how you think they worked?

 

[porjos]

How do you figure $480 for the Ford headliner?

Free for us 1st year orders - but for those buying after, that's what's listed on the Ford Accessories site

 

[WuNgUn]

Free for us 1st year orders - but for those buying after, that's what's listed on the Ford Accessories site

Ahh.... Gotcha.
And WOW!
Yeah, I definitely woukd of went the DIY route too!
Outta be Lincoln quiet now

 

[DarkPony]

When I had originally ordered a hard top, I was planning on doing the same thing because a sheet of fleece is not sound deadening. Another thought I had was having a shop spray on truck bed liner. The extra layers you put on should make a big difference. Good work!

I will say to anyone attempting this to use a good adhesive like Landau adhesive and not the spray can adhesives. The aerosol adhesives can't stand up to heat and will quickly release.