DEAD QUIET

Proper Cabin Sound Deadening

IIN THE LAST FEW ISSUES, YOU HAVE SEEN US install a Vintage Air setup, Con2R gauges and Custom Autosound stereo in project Ol’ Red. This time, we decided to properly finish up the interior by installing some heat insulation and sound deadening from the pros over at Vibro Solution, as well as new carpet to finish off the cabin. The idea behind our project Ol’ Red build is to drive and enjoy her everywhere. A lot of people will say a truck is for working. That is definitely true, but nowadays a lot of these classic trucks get used more as weekend cruisers than work trucks. Adding a carpet makes it a little more refined, and that is exactly what we wanted to do for Ol’ Red.

These old trucks were not built from the factory to be quiet or keep much heat out. Adding heat insulation and sound deadening to any build goes a long way in enjoying more creature comforts from our rides.

We started off by removing the bench seat from the truck and pulled out the gas tank (which comes behind the seat factory, but we might swap to the rear later). Then came the cleaning—we vacuumed and wiped down all metal surfaces with mineral spirits. As with most things, the prep is just as important as the process.

Then came the fun part! We started off with the 5mm Vibro Mat to insulate the firewall and transmission tunnel. After applying the 5mm, we went over it with the 2mm Vibro Mat. After we covered all of the 5mm with 2mm, we continued to spread 2mm on all nonvisible metal surfaces, floor, back wall, ceiling and inner doors. Once the 2mm was laid down everywhere, we applied the 6mm foam. This process, prep and additional foam will not only help with heat protection, insulation and vibration, but it will also really keep the sound system nice and crisp. We even applied some 35mm foam on the ceiling of the truck, which will be covered by a headliner eventually.

Installing a pre-molded carpet is one of the easier things to really freshen up a classic truck. We unboxed the carpet and laid it out in the sun to help shape it and go back to its form. After warming up and stretching out, we laid it into the truck. The company sends the carpet a little long on the side so you can trim to a perfect fit. We put it

into proper placement and then trimmed the excess with a razor blade.

Once happy with the placement and trim we re-installed the gas pedal, put back the gas tank and reinstalled the hidden Custom Auto Sound subwoofer and amp. We secured the sides with original 1964 Ranger F-100 door sills, then we reinstalled the bench seat and boom—quite the difference in a single day!

01 The sound deadening pros at Vibro Solution offer a complete product line to get your classic restoration back on the road cooler, quieter and cleaner than ever before.

03 RIGHT. After removing the bench seat, here’s a look at our bare cab floor just begging for some attention.

02 LEFT. Here’s where we left off with Ol’ Red. We started by removing the bench seat again.

04 We started with laying down 5mm Vibro Mat on any areas that get hot, like the firewall and transmission tunnel.

06 Here’s a look after all the 5mm and 2mm have been laid down.

07 We also put down the 6mm Vibro mat on top of all the 2mm mat since we decided to go for the full insulation and deadening for an absolute cool and quiet cabin experience.

05 Next, we did 2mm on top of the 5mm then spread the 2mm Vibro mat on all metal surfaces inside the cab that would be covered, including the floor, ceiling, back wall and inside the door.

12 Bench seat back in, and now she’s 1,000 times better to look at—but also much more comfortable, cool and quiet. Almost ready for cruising duties!

10 We pulled the carpet kit into place and trimmed down all the edges.

08 We added the 35mm mat only on the ceiling of the truck for final acoustics and clear sound.

11 Once the carpet was trimmed and cleaned up, we could then reinstall the factory gas tank, door sills and Custom Auto Sound powered sub.

09 After we let our molded carpet kit sit in the sun and re-shape during the Vibro install, it was now time to fit it into the cab.