When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Differences in sound insulation between trim levels?
I'm planning to order a 2024 F350 SRW CCLB. The XLT has all of the features I want in a truck, but before I pull the trigger, are there any differences in the sound insulation between the different trim levels? For example, does a Limited or King Ranch have a quieter interior than an XLT? And, if so, does anyone know of any detailed threads that explain and/or show the differences?
From my experience I think the XLT has the same insulation as the higher trims. I know my 17 XLT was noticeably quieter than a 20 XL 350 at work, XLT had a pad on the back of the cab but the XL did not. My 22 Lariat seems to be the same as the 17 XLT. Buddy has a 21 limited and I think its just as quite as my 17 or 22. I test drove KR Expy the other day and didn't seem any quieter to me. That's all I got and all seat of the pants.
Good to know there are no obvious differences, at least. I'm perfectly happy w/ the features of the XLT, but if there was a significant difference in interior noise quality, that would make my decision harder.
I think some of the higher trim trucks come with the under hood insulation that Ford cut from the lower trim trucks. I don’t think this will have any effect on interior noise though.
My '22 F-250 Platinum did not have the under hood insulation. Don't fret though...you can greatly reduce the amount of outside/road noise all by yourself, for under $200. When I bought my '15, 4 1/2 years ago...I decided to add sound damping material to the inside of the doors and the rear cab so the new sound system wouldn't rattle. I could immediately tell a difference in how quiet the entire cab was after the installation of the sound damping material. It took 40 square feet of material to do the inside of all 4 doors and rear cab. I'm getting ready to do the cab of my '22 as soon as I have some time off of work, and I can't wait. I could immediately tell a difference in how much more road noise there was in the inside of the cab when I left the dealership in the new truck. I used NVX sound damping material that is 2.3mm thick. Below is a link to what I bought for the new truck. It's the exact same as what I installed in my '15, it's just black instead. Paid $117 shipped for 40 sq.ft. https://www.ebay.com/itm/362209647993 Sound deadening. You would be amazed at the improvement this made alone on the road noise.
anyone has done a side-by-side ride in different trim levels recently. I’m thinking about upgrading my XLT and would love to know if the added insulation on something like a Lariat or Platinum really makes that much of a daily driving difference, especially on highways. Anyone swap door panels or carpets and notice a sound change?
anyone has done a side-by-side ride in different trim levels recently. I’m thinking about upgrading my XLT and would love to know if the added insulation on something like a Lariat or Platinum really makes that much of a daily driving difference, especially on highways. Anyone swap door panels or carpets and notice a sound change?
The pics above were from my ‘15. This is what I did to my ‘22 Platinum during the sound system installation. You will find that there is little to no factory insulation or sound dampening material on the Platinum’s. The road noise is greatly reduced by adding sound dampening material.
The insulation on the floor is factory in this pic.
one of the best things you can do to reduce the cab noise, is get some 3/4” foam sheets to layer in front of the rear cab vents.
'22 King Ranch, FX4, has something that looks like carpet, on outside of Cab, next to bed, rubberized undercoating spray cans do wonders for noise also.
Jsukey, how much time in that endeavor? It looks great 👍
Thanks! It’s hard to judge how long it took to just do the sound damping material. I was also installing a full sound system installation at the same time. From start to finish, it took me 2 weeks for everything. I was working on it a few hours a day while I was on location at work though, so there were distractions here and there. I completely replaced the factory B&O system. It’s truly embarrassing what they consider is “premium audio” once you pull everything apart and see how cheap the speakers are. Here’s the finished sub and amp rack. Installed active Focal components up front and in the rear doors along with the 13.5” JL Audio sub. Doesn’t rattle your teeth out, which isn’t what I was looking for. It will make your ears bleed though!
The pics above were from my ‘15. This is what I did to my ‘22 Platinum during the sound system installation. You will find that there is little to no factory insulation or sound dampening material on the Platinum’s. The road noise is greatly reduced by adding sound dampening material.
The insulation on the floor is factory in this pic.
one of the best things you can do to reduce the cab noise, is get some 3/4” foam sheets to layer in front of the rear cab vents.
looking to apply to tame the bark of my exhaust, so dumb question time (total newb to this stuff). when you're applying to the doors you're not actually applying to the interior space inside the doors correct? from the pics it looks like its applied similar to the water shield.
Yes, it’s applied to the inner door shield. This stuff can get wet. It won’t hurt it. My application wasn’t just for road noise. I didn’t want any vibrations coming from the doors after the Focal speaker installation. I also have sound tiles installed on the inside of the door. Those are strictly for the speakers though. They weren’t applied until after these pics were taken though.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
