Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: 2 Frazzled on September 24, 2013, 09:36:43 pm
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The rubber floor mat was discussed in at least two different posts so I'm giving it its own spot. I am attaching pictures of the mat that Phoenix put in for us in the hope that it would soften the vibration sound we were getting. It does seem to reduce some of the engine noise (not the vibration problem, but other normal noise) and it definitely helps insulate the floor to reduce the heat issue. This is a Ford product and the dealer knew right off what I was asking about and offered to look it up. It has a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of insulation under most of it. The mat tapers to the edges and around connections so the thickness varies. I could not find it online but I may not be using the right terms. I have attached pictures of it in the rig after a long trip and before cleaning. Please forgive the dirt as I wanted to take the pictures and post while I was remembering to do it.
The last shot shows what happens when you take pictures instead of feeding the queen kamping kitty. That isn't a vicious face, that mid-meooooowwwwwwwwww.
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Thanks for posting this. I'm taking my PC to the Ford dealer next week to investigate my vibration and I'm going to see if he can order this mat for me. I'm also going to see about insulating the doghouse and see if I can make the inside a little quieter when running down the road. Mark
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If by doghouse you mean the engine cowling/console thingy, I asked Jordon Ford if they could add insulation there and they said no. They said there is insulation in there with a metallic/reflective covering between the insulation and engine but there isn't enough clearance to put in MORE insulation. MAYBE they can remove what is there and put in better insulation. If so, let us know because anything that cuts that heat would be worth it. Besides the floor heat our CD's get really hot to the touch even when the player isn't on. That heat is radiating right up through the dash. Now it was actually welcome the other day when it dropped to the low 40s overnight. We toasted up quickly when we started driving but the majority of the time we don't plan to be playing in the cold so less heat is best.
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The mat appears to be the same Ford would install on the assembly line inside an industrial cut-away chassis for box truck applications. It might be had through any Ford dealer parts department.
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I was looking into heat and noise insulation a while back and noticed that a lot of folks that are into hot-rodding and car rebuilding use a variety of materials. Lizardskin, Dynamat, Fatmat are some of the more popular items. This is an interesting article on the subject and also lists a variety of products: http://www.hotrodhotline.com/installing-heat-and-sound-insulation#.UkNVKee9KSM
- Mike
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Ron, I believe you are right and this mat might be found about the factory installed aspect. I had actually requested something like this when we ordered the PC but Stuart said the carpet was already in there and it would be $500 to tear it out and put in a mat. We skipped that option... and didn't totally buy the story that Phoenix bought the chassis with our color of carpet already in the cab.
I figured Ford would have it but didn't find it online. Hitting a local Ford parts dealer should net one.
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Stuart said the carpet was already in there and it would be $500 to tear it out and put in a mat. We skipped that option... and didn't totally buy the story that Phoenix bought the chassis with our color of carpet already in the cab.
I do wonder if the cut-away chassis specific for RV application is delivered to the PC factory with no floor covering of any kind. The RV cut-away chassis does not come with outside mirrors, seats, dash panel inserts and other things lacking because the RV outfitters like PC-USA install their own.
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You can see in the new video that the cut away comes without any carpet. It is a great video, because Aimee loves us as much as we love her.
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You can see in the new video that the cut away comes without any carpet. It is a great video, because Aimee loves us as much as we love her.
What new video? I will have to sniff around the website.
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"Because I love y'all the mostest" under general discussion.
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Ah! I am watching it as I am typing here. Thanks Tom.
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When I heard about this mat, I was anxious to get to my Ford dealer to order it. However, looking at the pictures, I see this is what is already installed in my 2013 2552. Interesting. I may pull it up and see if I can add some insulation under it or put something else on top.
I pulled the cowling yesterday and there is a foil backed insulation product attached to the inside of the doghouse. It looks like there is plenty of room to add more insulation except maybe near the exhaust. I think this will be my first project.
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good topic
Have read some of the fixes. No one has told us what the mat would cost. For that flat area, next to the engine cowling I would suggest some of that rubber mat I used in the hallway and bathroom,,,,http://bathrooomproject.blogspot.com/ I going to wait and see what Ron does since it already sounds like he is going to pull up his carpet and do something.. want to know how hard/easy pulling up the carpet is, before I attempt to do something, BTW, we keep a large dog bed in that area its about 4 inches thick, that's where our puppy dog rides when we are driving, he usually stays there the whole time so the heat coming up does not seem to bother him
sparky
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I going to wait and see what Ron does since it already sounds like he is going to pull up his carpet and do something.. want to know how hard/easy pulling up the carpet is, before I attempt to do something...
I would have thought it best to leave the PC carpet in place given it is glued down and works well as an insulator and as a sound barrier. I would remove the seats and whatever trim needed such as like door sills and simply place the Ford (or generic)mat over the carpet.
For the record, my wife and I travel together without children or pets. Our PC carpet seems to be holding up quite well given that we pay attention to dirty shoes and we do have Ford van floor mats over the PC carpet in the foot wells.
Hardwood floors are surely beautiful, and the 100% vinyl flooring has some popularity as well. But I actually enjoy or carpet where it is and where it is not. It feels like home when inside by the dinette and easy chair with our shoes off. We do place a long throw rug over the vinyl floor in front of sink & stove but does not compare, but I appreciate the vinyl flooring there in the galley and bathroom.
Our OEM Ford floor mats Look similar to these.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Ford-Econoline-Van-Floor-Mat-Set-2-TAN-Carpet-NEW-OEM-/00/s/ODEwWDEyMDA=/z/bhgAAOxyNSVSROlp/$T2eC16NHJG!FFmzHEqo0BSROllgC)g~~60_57.JPG)
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I have ordered thses floor mats from WeatherTech. They should be here tomorrow. I will let you all know how well they fit. They look good in the pictures and I have used their cargo mat for the back of my Jeep Grand Cherokee.
http://www.weathertech.com/ford/2012/econoline-e-series/floor-mats-all-weather/
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Okay,, Ron does not want to tear up his carpet haha don't blame him,,,, we have talked about the mats for the pass/driver previously.. and yes they look great, but jeepers they cost a lot,, I'm still going to stik to my Walmart specials which I cut to fit the contours of the floor, I think they were 12 bucks,,, guess I'm too cheap haha
sparky
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Sparky,
I wonder if you could go cheaper yet buying one of these extra large mats from Menards/Home Depot/etc. and cut them to size. Sometimes Menards has a great sale on them, just a couple dollars. Buy a couple and line your outdoor storage drawer and your 1st entry step.
We lined our storage and step with something similar, carpet runner off a role, sold by the foot.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61yJ%2B17DwdL._SY450_.jpg)
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those would work in the front cab for pass/driver, good ideal,, but not sure if I would want to use black,, the cheap mats from Walmart are brown,,,,, in the bathroom I used the foam/rubber then the black mat cut to size, over it,,, worked great ,, as mentioned I used the rubber/foam mat for the storage compartment, remember it's about 1/3inch thick , in hall same rubber/foam but have a rug runner over it,,, it's really nice and comfy... nice to stand walk on... the foam/rubber is very cheap per yard $6,,, easy to cut.... another good point to using it, you over measure a tad and can press it in to the sides it's very snug where it meets the walls,,,,,,,,, how ever probably would not stand up to walking on,, that's why I put a rug cover on it... http://bathrooomproject.blogspot.com/ the one in the bathroom fits exactly.. your right regarding those black mats easy to cut I take the foam/rubber mats out when were at home easy to clean with soap and water,,
sparky
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those would work in the front cab for pass/driver, good ideal,, but not sure if I would want to use black,, the cheap mats from Walmart are brown,,,,, in the bathroom I used the foam/rubber then the black mat cut to size, over it,,, worked great ,, as mentioned I used the rubber/foam mat for the storage compartment, remember it's about 1/3inch thick , in hall same rubber/foam but have a rug runner over it,,, it's really nice and comfy... nice to stand walk on... the foam/rubber is very cheap per yard $6,,, easy to cut.... another good point to using it, you over measure a tad and can press it in to the sides it's very snug where it meets the walls,,,,,,,,, how ever probably would not stand up to walking on,, that's why I put a rug cover on it... http://bathrooomproject.blogspot.com/ the one in the bathroom fits exactly.. your right regarding those black mats easy to cut I take the foam/rubber mats out when were at home easy to clean with soap and water,,
sparky
That's going all-out there Sparky 2o2
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Ran across some interesting product(s) which sound like they may be helpful with the noise/heat issues around the cab area...
Lizard Skin - they sell two products, a ceramic thermal insulation coating and a sound damping coating.
That led me to what looks like a cheaper version of the thermal insulation coating from Hy-Tech Thermal Solutions. They sell thermal insulating paint and thermal insulating additives (ceramic microspheres or vacuum beads)
Which led me to a variety of DYI projects described by hot rod club members and airplane enthusiasts, some of whom use simple latex paints mixed with quantities of glass spheres (or micro-balloons) available through places like Wicks Aircraft Supply.
I didn't include any links, but a simple search will bring up all you need to know, if interested.
- Mike
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The effectiveness of any sound/heat material is to make sure the material is affixed to the surface firmly and completely. As I have posted before I removed all of the seats, the carpet (ripped it up)and laid down Dynamat that was specifically fitted for the E series cab floor, the material must be rolled firmly into place and once down the stuff does not move. New carpet was ordered from PC and installed easily. There is a specific kit for the doghouse (you can find it on the web) that fits over the OEM weak insulation. I did the doors as well with the Dynamat material. I utilized a neat decibel reading app ( deciBel) on my phone and by doing what I did I reduced the cab noise by over 40%. Putting mats down, etc will make a slight difference I am sure but by not taking the vibration out of the metal that is the culprit in transmitting sound I am not sure it is worth the investment? Dynamat material is not cheap in that I think I spent at least $400 in materials, do not be fooled with less expensive alternatives , there really is a difference in the sound deadening materials. It is great to hear a nice solid sound when you shut the doors. I fully realize heat transfer is a huge issue for the Triton sitting in that tight engine compartment and perhaps there is a reason Ford does not offer a more robust insulation package but no one has been able to show me any proof...I heard PC now offers some extra insulation for the floor area from the factory.... i just applied this same approach to my new Freightliner M-2 Renegade that came with extra insulation but nothing in the doors. Thanks, Ron G.