Factory carpet question: TJ vs. LJ

[chili_pepper]

I thought I read somewhere that the LJ's had extra insulation backing up the carpet in some areas from the factory over what the TJ's got. Believe they also stated the LJ got firewall insulation, which apparently isn't standard on the TJ. Anyone have any insights into this?

 

[ColoJeep]

I thought I read somewhere that the LJ's had extra insulation backing up the carpet in some areas from the factory over what the TJ's got. Believe they also stated the LJ got firewall insulation, which apparently isn't standard on the TJ. Anyone have any insights into this?
View attachment 612805

Maybe go look at your TJU and let us know ?

 

[sab]

The first picture in this post below from my build thread shows factory LJ carpet hanging to dry. From left to right: cargo carpet (fully sound-insulated - dark gray), driver side footwell (tunnel side heat-insulated - white), passenger side footwell (mostly heat-insulated for exhaust below it - white), and then the last two I can't tell which is which, but they are the rear fender well carpets (fully sound-insulated - dark gray):

Post in thread 'Sab-a-dab-a-doo! The back-country LJ build has officially started'

Apr 27, 2025

Yesterday, I started on closing off the tunnel for the transmission and transfer case levers. I'll post more on that shortly, but first, in anticipation of putting the interior back together, I pressure washed the carpet this morning. I hung it out side on a line to let most of the water drip off all day, and then I moved it into the shop on a make-shift clothesline this afternoon:

Back to the close-off project. Yesterday, I cut some .060" thick adhesive-backed foam to put on the block-off plate I made last weekend (to hopefully seal it from hot air attempting to come into...

• sab

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That shows you an LJ. Now someone needs to post a TJ...

 

[chili_pepper]

Maybe go look at your TJU and let us know ?

I did, but I don't have a standard TJ to compare to, so no idea what's extra and what isn't.

shows factory LJ carpet hanging to dry. From left to right: cargo carpet (fully sound-insulated - dark gray), driver side footwell (tunnel side heat-insulated - white), passenger side footwell (mostly heat-insulated for exhaust below it - white), and then the last two I can't tell which is which, but they are the rear fender well carpets (fully sound-insulated - dark gray):

That would appear to match what I have...and yours is a Rubi, so it would seem common to both Unlimited models.

Now someone needs to post a TJ...

The meat and taters.

 

[ColoJeep]

I did, but I don't have a standard TJ to compare to, so no idea what's extra and what isn't.



That would appear to match what I have...and yours is a Rubi, so it would seem common to both Unlimited models.



The meat and taters.

I will look at my 99 TJ later , however model year could be a variable .

 

[chili_pepper]

however model year could be a variable .

True, and I also wonder about any differences between trim levels, or were the options only "carpet" or "no carpet"...

I did note there appears to be a white-ish insulation pad on at least part of the firewall, in the passenger compartment when I was investigating.

 

[macleanflood]

My 97 was bedlinered by the PO. The 2000 tub I got from the junkyard had 3/4 of the carpet and it was thin, not much backing and most certainly nothing on the firewall. 4 cylinder too.

-Mac

 

[DaveC]

My 2006 SE only has a little insulation on the driver side carpet where it's up against the trans tunnel. Just thin carpet everywhere else.

 

[ColoJeep]

Our 99 Sport has thin carpet everywhere , our 04 Sport has thin carpet in the rear. I didn't spend too much time on the 04 , the wind chill is in the 20's and it kinda sucks this morning. The drivers side carpet feels like something is on the tunnel side , but I didn't take it apart.

 

[chili_pepper]

Appreciate the responses on standard TJs. Seems the information I found might just be correct.

 

[chili_pepper]

I had considered doing a Bedrug installation at one point, but at least in regards to the rear portion of the tub, I don't think the Bedrug product will be as thick or provides as much insulation as the factory LJ rear carpet set (though may be more durable/easier to clean). I doubt there's anything in it with the fronts though, save for those thin white padded areas.

Might just get front carpet replacements and call it a day...

 

[macleanflood]

I can definitely say I'm disappointed by my bed mat. It doesn't fit well. Zero noise or heat benefits. I put DEI stuff down to address more of that.

-Mac

 

[06lj]

I had considered doing a Bedrug installation at one point, but at least in regards to the rear portion of the tub, I don't think the Bedrug product will be as thick or provides as much insulation as the factory LJ rear carpet set (though may be more durable/easier to clean). I doubt there's anything in it with the fronts though, save for those thin white padded areas.

Might just get front carpet replacements and call it a day...

The Bedrug has very little insulation and is far from durable. I've had it in my Jeep for several years. I had to add insulation to make driving bearable and it wore very quickly. I chose it for weight savings. I also put Bedtread in the rear of my Jeep. I was surprised how much louder the Jeep became. The factory carpet does a really good job of sound deadening. I do have an LJ and my factory carpet did have thick insulation on the back.

 

[LaZ8787]

I had considered doing a Bedrug installation at one point, but at least in regards to the rear portion of the tub, I don't think the Bedrug product will be as thick or provides as much insulation as the factory LJ rear carpet set (though may be more durable/easier to clean). I doubt there's anything in it with the fronts though, save for those thin white padded areas.

Might just get front carpet replacements and call it a day...

I think I'm still leaning toward the Armorlite sometime in the next year.

PO had already rhinolined mine. No carpet or insulation, plus the six-speed floorpan gasket being ripped and useless, my leg always got cooked.

 

[chili_pepper]

the six-speed floorpan gasket

Not cheap, but you can still get these. Probably worth it at the end of the day. I did mine shortly after I bought the Jeep.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZWDH58S?tag=wranglerorg-20

Armorlite

Not familiar with the material, but I suppose it really depends on use. I use mine for general utility, daily driving and mild trails, so the factory carpet and mud bucket floor mats work. But if you do more off road work or you get in with muddy boots constantly, lightness and easy of cleaning are probably more important for your floors.

 

[LaZ8787]

Not cheap, but you can still get these. Probably worth it at the end of the day. I did mine shortly after I bought the Jeep.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZWDH58S?tag=wranglerorg-20

Just replaced mine last month. At the same time as the new transmission, so what's another $200? lol

 

[Tronner]

My 2006 SE only has a little insulation on the driver side carpet where it's up against the trans tunnel. Just thin carpet everywhere else.

My 06 Rubi is the same, thin black carpet all over, no insulation on the firewall.

 

[chili_pepper]

Just replaced mine last month. At the same time as the new transmission, so what's another $200? lol

If you replaced it last month and it's already torn again, I think you've got some other issues to sort out...and I'm not sure what they might be.

 

[sab]

Thinking about it, I'll bet the LJ got the heavy sound insulation in the cargo area because it's 15" longer, so it likely vibrates differently, and during development of the LJ, they noticed a sound level that was too high.

 

[ColoJeep]

Thinking about it, I'll bet the LJ got the heavy sound insulation in the cargo area because it's 15" longer, so it likely vibrates differently, and during development of the LJ, they noticed a sound level that was too high.

The long floor would be a sounding board for drive line noise . Take a drive in and E-250 cargo van and that's all you can hear.