My Senior design project - a "Swamp Thing" tracked vehicle clone

[Garauld]

Why inside walls?

It has to look good! I was going to add 1" insulation for when I add the heater system and the inner walls are to protect it..

 

[ArlyA]

Personally, I'd be cut sections of ABS to fit portions of the cab. Before attaching them, glue some cab foam to the entire pieces back side which will be on the cabs inside. This would add both sound and temp insulation then pop riveting it on would make for easy repairs later. Cab insulation is basically closed cell foam and readily available and is a very nice material to work with. I've got lots of it laying around here and love using the stuff. I believe Formica is a sound resonator.

 

[airbiscuit]

Personally, I'd be cut sections of ABS to fit portions of the cab. Before attaching them, glue some cab foam to the entire pieces back side which will be on the cabs inside. This would add both sound and temp insulation then pop riveting it on would make for easy repairs later. Cab insulation is basically closed cell foam and readily available and is a very nice material to work with. I've got lots of it laying around here and love using the stuff. I believe Formica is a sound resonator.

Foam insulation on the inside would be more quiet, would be softer to slam your head against, and a smooth exterior would shed water better than all those exposed frame members.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd put styrofoam-type panels inside the doors and fiberglass gel coat it. Warm and quiet.

 

[Garauld]

I am thinking using 1" rigid foam board insulation spray glued to the outside sheet steel panels. Instead of the HPL, I could attach a layer of thin headliner fabric spray glued onto the foam and framing members. That would probably quench the sound levels.

 

[PILOON]

I have a bit of experience with sound deadening from my aviation background.

There are different levels of sound and different causes.
Any large metal panel will 'resonate' and also it will 'drum'
One commercial material readily available and cheap as well is self adhesive roofing membrane, stick that on the inside and results will be awesome. (even a large X on the panel area will be helpful)
In the engine area, firewall, a high density foam material will be best to deaden that engine noise. Lead is also a great sound blocker.
Surprisingly carpeting is also great for many ranges of sound.
AS to insulation (LOL, not isolation) most foam boards do very well, even as little as 1/2 or 3/4 inch.

On my CUT I did most as I described and never wear hearing protection plus I can tune in my favorite FM station to enjoy nice music at reasonable volume settings.

In my case I never welded my panels but drilled and used self tapping screws since I did not want to grind and feather those weld joints.
I also used galvanized sheet stock for paneling as that never rusts.
I also injected some oil inside of the tubing framework so as to not have corrosion happen. (again an aircraft technique)
Going on close to 20 years and no rust anywhere and still completely water tight (and, LOL, quiet.)

Nice project, keep us posted!

 

[Garauld]

I wonder if vinyl fabric would reflect much noise or deaden sound somewhat if installed on the inside cab walls. It is rather inexpensive and would be easy to install. I don't expect much engine noise in the cab - the engine is located in a separate compartment at the rear. I would expect the most noise to come from the diff under the cab floor. There will be a rubbery floor mat covering the floor plates (12 ga - .108" sheet).

 

[PILOON]

I wonder if vinyl fabric would reflect much noise or deaden sound somewhat if installed on the inside cab walls. It is rather inexpensive and would be easy to install. I don't expect much engine noise in the cab - the engine is located in a separate compartment at the rear. I would expect the most noise to come from the diff under the cab floor. There will be a rubbery floor mat covering the floor plates (12 ga - .108" sheet).

If U add some felt padding under the vinyl it probably would work.
Even some padding like they sell for under laminated flooring would be good.

On its own the vinyl won't do much good.

 

[Garauld]

Not much exciting stuff to report but here goes: I finished the wiper design and welded in the bracket for the repurposed GM Blazer rear wiper motor. I had to extend the stock wiper arm by 1-1/2" to make it work per the attached image. I also welded in a bunch more cab frame members and started hanging sheet metal skins on the cargo and cab framing. I also finished up the design of a moon-roof I will be adding. The pop-up latch came from a mid-80s Toyota 4-Runner pickup. I designed some custom hinges which I will have 3D printed by a buddy of mine.

 

[Garauld]

I've been adding sheet metal to the cab and cargo frames. I hope to spray some primer and paint this weekend on the tub, cargo subframe and cab undersides.