55 2nd gen rattle trap

[srvtexas]

I need some advice. What is the best route to sound proof our trucks and what is the best thing to do to rattle proof them. Thanks

[Highsider]

Get a good radio?

[srvtexas]

^^^Bwahahahaha^^^

[Bierkan]

Don't drive it?

[NEWFISHER]

I used "Fat mat Extreme" from flea bay. Similar to Dynamat, but without the huge cost. Clean and prep the floor, firewall and back of cab, cut and apply the product, tape the seams with aluminum tape ( kinda like duct tape but really shiney) and the cover it with carpet or rubber mat. I also installed sheets inside the doors. Tilt the sheets at an angle to allow water to run off and not sit on the edge of the product. Follow up with a spay cosmoline or rust prevention spray inside the doors. Pull your headliner and line the upper cab too. It makes a huge difference.

If you have "things" that rattle, you are going to have to track them down an secure them, but the mat will make a huge difference in road noise and heat transfer to the interior.

[srvtexas]

Thanks Newfisher...I'll check it out. I have a 55 2nd gen, I want to put a five speed transmission in the truck and was thinking about a Borg-Warner T5, I put one in a 47 Dodge about five years ago and it really brought the rpm at highway speed down. It currently has a the original three speed on the floor now. What do yall think, the T5 or maybe something else?

[NEWFISHER]

I'm getting old and want to try a 700r4 conversion, but hear good things about the T5's in these trucks.

[mr48chev]

There are so many different choices for sound deadening material available that it's hard for a guy to keep track of them.

One thing is that if you have squeaks or rattles fix the squeaks and or rattles. That can take some chasing sometimes but it's worth it. Also seal up any holes in the floor, firewall or what not that let air or sound in.

I'm still up in the air about what I plan to use on my truck as I'm no where near that far along on this build. I not only want to insulate the noise but the heat and cold out as much as possible.

On the trans choice it's your choice and if you do or don't like to shift your own gears or the clutch leg is not in shape to push the clutch on a regular basis especially if you are in a lot of traffic. My truck has a full syncro three speed now but with the 3.7 rear axle ratio in the rear axle of choice a five speed is looking pretty good to me. I'm 66 but my legs still seem to work pretty good at pushing pedals so that is the way I'm going.

[OrrieG]

Do some research, I believe not all t-5s are the same, different "strengths" for different engine and drive train applications. I am using the home insulation bubble stuff secured with 3M Super 77 adhesive. Sticking it everywhere I can reach in the truck. Upolstering behind the seat and a fabric panel in the headliner will help a lot to, a lot of the "noise" is reverb bouncing off the hard surfaces.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Highsider

Get a good radio?

highsider has it right, truk has 1000 watts of stereo usually cranked up with rock or blues

truk also has:
bed liner on the underside and inside the cab and under the inner fenders and all fenders
2 layers of rubber sound deadening (rammatt) on floors, firewall, back of cab and inside doors
2 layers of foam sound deadening (ensolite) on floors, firewall, back of cab and inside doors
new body mounts, new door bumpers, new door seals and new glass tracks
and carpet

still have to crank up the tunes to keep the wind noise down from the doors and the exhaust noise

[meter swinger]

Originally Posted by Highsider

Get a good radio?

X2. Then you can roll down hiway with Stevie Ray Vaugn
Posted via Mobile Device

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

X2. Then you can roll down hiway with Stevie Ray Vaugn
Posted via Mobile Device

That works, especially for those late night trips down 82 and then 84 Towards the Salt Flats.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Back to ther OP's original question?

First thing I'd do (for rattles) is install ALL new door rubber from Steele Rubber Products. Then new window felt and anti-rattle strips. Make sure to adjust the doors properly and make sure the latches function well. If not, replace them (bearclaw latches are better but not original and not cheap)

THEN, I'd suggest covering the floor, firewall, back wall & roof with Peel 'n Seal - available at Home Depot of Lowe's. Do a search on here and there's more info than you ever wanted on it. This assumes all your rust-through on the floor and kick panels has been repaired and at least primed.

Then throw on the kick ass tunes and enjoy!

[srvtexas]

thanks guys! lots of good stuff here. i think i will try the sound deadener and then get a good radio and jam with some Stevie Ray.

[Highsider]

Originally Posted by srvtexas

thanks guys! lots of good stuff here. i think i will try the sound deadener and then get a good radio and jam with some Stevie Ray.

Right on! SRV!

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by srvtexas

Thanks Newfisher...I'll check it out. I have a 55 2nd gen, I want to put a five speed transmission in the truck and was thinking about a Borg-Warner T5, I put one in a 47 Dodge about five years ago and it really brought the rpm at highway speed down. It currently has a the original three speed on the floor now. What do yall think, the T5 or maybe something else?

I have been doing a lot of reading on them lately. I am going to give it a try behind a six banger. the camaro versionand s10 coverand tailhousing is what i have in mind.

http://www.flatheadv8.org/ernie/ernie-t5.htm

http://www.inliners.org/

http://www.inliners.org/

http://www.5speeds.com/t5/index.html Also check out the performance button at the top of the page.

G force makes heavy duty parts.

[waybad]

I put a t5 out of a s10 4cyl5 in my 5,, if you can get a v6 one the overdrive should be better? I used the v8 swap clutch for the s10,, you have to cut about 1/2-3/4 inch off the nose of the trans so it fits flush with the bell housing,,, also here is the short throw shifter mod I used to shorten the shifter throw. good luck it's easy!!

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/shifter/index.html

[Divine 59]

Newfisher.... That is a good tip on tilting the panels inside the door. I am also going to use Fatmat.

SRV.....Perrin Texas! In Grayson County? I used to live in Sherman. There was an old airbase there called Perrin Field?