Midnight LJR Build

[Midnight LJR]

It is funny how we adapt carrying gear with the vehicles we choose. I guess it goes the other way too - people buy rigs to suit what they carry.

For me .. the TJ has been pretty adequate for 2 people *if* we stay disciplined. Personally, I have found that it's much easier to prepare foods (the kind that stays good unrefrigerated for a day or two) ahead of time, and to make 1-pot hot meals and coffee/tea with just boiling water. Since I have been a lifelong vegetarian, that makes it a little easy in general since meat items go bad FAST even prepared. I make my own stuff for the most part and usually get dehydrated rice and lentils for carbs and proteins, and freeze dried veggies. I can now make a damn good meal with just those and some home ground spices since I have been doing this for years. What gets boring for me is multi-day trips when I end up eating the same stuff many times .. that's when having a small fridge shines, since you can carry a little more stuff and prepare food as needed. The issue is space - most fridges you see on the market are absolutely giant. I have gone back and forth on TJ vs LJ for the rear cargo space, and decided as much as I like LJs .. it is still only mostly a 2 (adult) person vehicle. More space = carrying more junk as the saying goes

@Midnight LJR what fridge are you using these days?

Use CFX28 for short trips and a CFX50 for long trips.

On my to do list is to be to build a removable double layer storage system with the fridge slide I bought. That way I can pile stuff on the second layer and still slide out the fridge to get to the food when we stop.

Still thinking of a easy way to make it removable. The fridge slide fits just right in the available space.

 

[mrblaine]

How do you cut that rabbet, Blaine?

Mortising bit on an M18 Milwaukee router. Just measure from the edge of the base to the edge of the bit, that is your offset. Clamp a straight edge on the aluminum so you can't cut past that and start whittling away.

 

[psrivats]

@Midnight LJR those are good fridges, I saw some good reviews for Dometic when I was browsing a couple years ago. While I wish they made a smaller version, I well understand there is not much of a market for smaller fridges. The cooler I carry is the rubbermail slimline cooler and it's good for a day trip. Nice to have some cold beverages after a long day hike

 

[Midnight LJR]

Started on a project to quiet the Jeep down a little. I was really impressed with how the hothead liner worked on the hard top.
So decided to do some work on the tub. Just got the sound deadner installed in the back today.

I am using Damplifier Pro
https://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound-deadening/damplifier-pro
With Luxury Liner pro Mass loaded Vinyl with a foam backing over the top.
https://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound-blocking/luxury-liner-pro
Just going for about 60% coverage with the sound deadner, and as close to 100% with the mass loaded vinyl as I am able to.

It will be interesting to see if it cuts down the noise a little, we have a little bit of a hard time hearing our daughter in the backseat on the freeway when talking so just trying to take it down a small amount.

 

[Mike_H]

Please post up your thoughts on having the second layer. I installed some dynomat type product and it helps, but I was expecting more.

 

[Alex01]

Started on a project to quiet the Jeep down a little. I was really impressed with how the hothead liner worked on the hard top.
So decided to do some work on the tub. Just got the sound deadner installed in the back today.

I am using Damplifier Pro
https://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound-deadening/damplifier-pro
With Luxury Liner pro Mass loaded Vinyl with a foam backing over the top.
https://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound-blocking/luxury-liner-pro
Just going for about 60% coverage with the sound deadner, and as close to 100% with the mass loaded vinyl as I am able to.

It will be interesting to see if it cuts down the noise a little, we have a little bit of a hard time hearing our daughter in the backseat on the freeway when talking so just trying to take it down a small amount.

View attachment 328337View attachment 328335View attachment 328334View attachment 328336

Did you install the dam sticker!?!?!?!

 

[Midnight LJR]

Please post up your thoughts on having the second layer. I installed some dynomat type product and it helps, but I was expecting more.

Will do. According to the people at Second Skin the dampener by itself won’t do much. It will stop vibration and “ringing” of the metal. But it won’t actually block much of the sound. My understanding is the the Mass Loaded Vinyl actual blocks the sound, and only if it has a layer of foam between it and the floor.

1. Basically they said we want to dampen vibration and echoing of the tub.

2. Block external noise from entering the Jeep. (Mass Loaded Vinyl with foam)

3. Absorb left over sounds bouncing around inside. They sent this for that.
https://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound-absorbing/mega-zorbe-foam
The third step is hard in TJ’s I might be able to put some under the door panels. (Never had them off) on most cars they said this goes under as many of the interior panels as possible.

Will see how it works, they are supposed to be the experts.

 

[NskLJ]

Started on a project to quiet the Jeep down a little. I was really impressed with how the hothead liner worked on the hard top.
So decided to do some work on the tub. Just got the sound deadner installed in the back today.

I am using Damplifier Pro
https://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound-deadening/damplifier-pro
With Luxury Liner pro Mass loaded Vinyl with a foam backing over the top.
https://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound-blocking/luxury-liner-pro
Just going for about 60% coverage with the sound deadner, and as close to 100% with the mass loaded vinyl as I am able to.

It will be interesting to see if it cuts down the noise a little, we have a little bit of a hard time hearing our daughter in the backseat on the freeway when talking so just trying to take it down a small amount.

View attachment 328337View attachment 328335View attachment 328334View attachment 328336

Have you had any issues with your headliner coming down? I installed on and the Velcro separates. They sent me a new rear but I just put it in and haven’t been able to use it.

 

[Midnight LJR]

Did you install the dam sticker!?!?!?!

You be quiet! That requires a lot of focus!!

 

[ImpactOrange]

Curious to see how Luxury Liner Pro helps with sound. I installed Damplifier Pro several years ago. While it did help cut down on some vibrations and tinny sounds, it didn't help with overall noise reduction.

 

[Midnight LJR]

Have you had any issues with your headliner coming down? I installed on and the Velcro separates. They sent me a new rear but I just put it in and haven’t been able to use it.

The front fell down a little after about 4 hours of washboard road. But I just pushed it back up. It is aligned a little bit off. So I need to bring it back down and re-adjust. But the Velcro seem to be staying attached to the top and the liner. So my guess is I will need to give it a little push every once in a while.

 

[NskLJ]

The front fell down a little after about 4 hours of washboard road. But I just pushed it back up. It is aligned a little bit off. So I need to bring it back down and re-adjust. But the Velcro seem to be staying attached to the top and the liner. So my guess is I will need to give it a little push every once in a while.

Thanks I pushed the rear on, it seems the curvature of the roof and the flat panel may be contributing to the problem. The sent me a new panel which I pushed on and will try then maybe replace Velcro on the roof.

 

[Thunderhead]

It will be interesting to see if it cuts down the noise a little, we have a little bit of a hard time hearing our daughter in the backseat on the freeway when talking

In a few years it will be bliss not to hear them

 

[psrivats]

I installed Noico (2 layers of it too) in my jeep and regret it. I helped muffle the devil vibration drone a little, and perhaps the jeep feels better insulated in the wintertime. But I am not sure it reduced noise levels appreciably. I am not also sure how it will hold up longterm and my other regret is that it will be next to impossible to get it all out cleanly if I ever want to (it will never come out without making a giant mess). Plus the potential for water getting underneath (if you have clogged drain or a softtop leak or even a fluid spill in the rear) and causing rust.

I think mass backed ACC carpet is the way to go. Definitely not doing this again. I hope you have better experience with the products you mentioned, please do keep us posted.

 

[Midnight LJR]

I installed Noico (2 layers of it too) in my jeep and regret it. I helped muffle the devil vibration drone a little, and perhaps the jeep feels better insulated in the wintertime. But I am not sure it reduced noise levels appreciably. I am not also sure how it will hold up longterm and my other regret is that it will be next to impossible to get it all out cleanly if I ever want to (it will never come out without making a giant mess). Plus the potential for water getting underneath (if you have clogged drain or a softtop leak or even a fluid spill in the rear) and causing rust.

I think mass backed ACC carpet is the way to go. Definitely not doing this again. I hope you have better experience with the products you mentioned, please do keep us posted.

Bummer, I am aware of possible downsides and am trying to minimize them.

I am leaving gaps between all the sheets of dampener and will be leaving all the drainage area’s etc open to avoid water getting under it and am only doing approx 60% coverage of the flat areas. So it should’ve be too bad to remove if I ever decided too.

I think going for 100% coverage on the floor is not with the dampener is not ideal and is not using the product as it is intended. Most folks seem to be trying to use the dampener to make the Jeep quieter amd it just doesn’t do that.

The Mass Loaded Vinyl is for blocking the noise and I will be using a few pieces of double sided velcro to hold all that in place. It will basically just be sitting under the carpet so can be lifted out as easy as the carpet if I need to dry the Jeep out ever.

Will see if it works out like I am hoping.

 

[psrivats]

Bummer, I am aware of possible downsides and am trying to minimize them.

I am leaving gaps between all the sheets of dampener and will be leaving all the drainage area’s etc open to avoid water getting under it and am only doing approx 60% coverage of the flat areas. So it should’ve be too bad to remove if I ever decided too.

I think going for 100% coverage on the floor is not with the dampener is not ideal and is not using the product as it is intended. Most folks seem to be trying to use the dampener to make the Jeep quieter amd it just doesn’t do that.

The Mass Loaded Vinyl is for blocking the noise and I will be using a few pieces of double sided velcro to hold all that in place. It will basically just be sitting under the carpet so can be lifted out as easy as the carpet if I need to dry the Jeep out ever.

Will see if it works out like I am hoping.

My only goal at the time was to deal with those monster vibes I had. I should have thought and planned better. Looks like you have given it plenty of thought and going in the right direction

 

[Midnight LJR]

My only goal at the time was to deal with those monster vibes I had. I should have thought and planned better. Looks like you have given it plenty of thought and going in the right direction

Luckily my jeep has no vibrations. I don’t envy folks dealing with that.

 

[Midnight LJR]

……

I think mass backed ACC carpet is the way to go. Definitely not doing this again. I hope you have better experience with the products you mentioned, please do keep us posted.

Looking into the mass backed carpet have never checked it out before. That would be a good option to (probably better). You would need to add a small layer of foam between the carpet and the tub for the vinyl mass backing to do it’s job as good as possible.

If I end up unhappy with the way this solution works I would probably go with mass backed ACC and a simple layer of second skin foam to give the mass backer on the carpet the air gap it needs to work.

Right now I like the bed rug vs regular carpet because my daughter likes to throw food everywhere. But am not sure how well the Bedrug will fit over the Vinyl and foam.

 

[toximus]

I installed Noico (2 layers of it too) in my jeep and regret it. I helped muffle the devil vibration drone a little, and perhaps the jeep feels better insulated in the wintertime. But I am not sure it reduced noise levels appreciably. I am not also sure how it will hold up longterm and my other regret is that it will be next to impossible to get it all out cleanly if I ever want to (it will never come out without making a giant mess). Plus the potential for water getting underneath (if you have clogged drain or a softtop leak or even a fluid spill in the rear) and causing rust.

I think mass backed ACC carpet is the way to go. Definitely not doing this again. I hope you have better experience with the products you mentioned, please do keep us posted.

I removed it out of the front of our khaki TJ because water got under it. Wait for a day that's warm enough for it to be flexible but cold enough that it's not all melty. Also spray it with water to stop it from sticking back down.

 

[psrivats]

Looking into the mass backed carpet have never checked it out before. That would be a good option to (probably better). You would need to add a small layer of foam between the carpet and the tub for the vinyl mass backing to do it’s job as good as possible.

If I end up unhappy with the way this solution works I would probably go with mass backed ACC and a simple layer of second skin foam to give the mass backer on the carpet the air gap it needs to work.

Right now I like the bed rug vs regular carpet because my daughter likes to throw food everywhere. But am not sure how well the Bedrug will fit over the Vinyl and foam.

I have the bed rug in mine on top of Noico. Lays flat and looks good but it's quite lightweight. Does clean and dry off easy given the material. When I bought it, my first impression was "this cost that much?". Strongly recommend you the seats out for ease of install if you go this route.

I did put weather tech mats front and rear and it's been ok (those mats are VERY slippery when new in wet weather, be careful till it roughens up a bit with use).

Look into the ACC mass backed more, I think it's the better option. Like you said, you can add the foam to the carpet instead of the tub.