Sound Solutions for Engine

[savbuslife]

Just got my 2003 Ford e450 short bus out of the shop and drove it home happily. Was quickly reminded though of how loud the engine can be. I'm looking to deck out my front cab so that I'm as comfortable and happy as I can be on long drives once I start travelling in it. So I'm currently looking for good solutions to block some of that sound out! I'm on a budget so DIY projects are definitely welcome.

Side note: I also want to remove the cup holder/storage extension of the dashboard so I can have more room for a passenger seat or just my own custom storage area that fits my vision more. I'll attach photos of what I'm talking about. (It's not connected to the lever that opens the door btw). If anyone has done this, please give me advice! I don't want to mess with anything important or make any big changes that could affect the mechanics.

Also, not sure if this is the correct part of the forum to post this so I apologize if it needs to be moved lol.

[Dbacks2k4]

7.3 powerstroke? If so, Noisy engine to start with.

My advice:
Insulate as much of the firewall (behind petals, etc) as much as you can. You'll probably need to dismantle the dash and that center console, at least in part.

Use a sound absorbing material (killmat is name brand but you can use generic) where you can.

Seal any air leaks around cable glands as well.

[savbuslife]

Okay, awesome. Thank you for the info! Have you seen what remains when that center console is removed? I just worry that the engine might be exposed and I'm trying to avoid that if I can.

Also, where would the cable glands be?

[DeMac]

Originally Posted by savbuslife

Okay, awesome. Thank you for the info! Have you seen what remains when that center console is removed? I just worry that the engine might be exposed and I'm trying to avoid that if I can.

Also, where would the cable glands be?

skoolie.net/2003-ford-e450-7-3l-5-window-shorty

[roach711]

On our 2000 E450 I applied sound deadener like Killmat to the floor by the driver's seat and to the inside of the engine cover. It definitely helped but it was still noisy when driving.

IIRC, The front part of your engine cover will lift up to remove leaving a much less intrusive small cover.

Here is ours with a much smaller add-on cover I found online from a bus conversion company.

[LargeMargeInBaja]

The rest of the metal can sympathetic resonate.
.
On our ancient 1991.5 Dodge Cummins 4x4, we pulled all the panels out of the cab.
We installed acoustic adhesive-backed insulation on every accessible cubic inch, including inside the doors.
.
World of difference:
* radio at '19' instead of '56'
* conversations without hollaring
* arriving fresh without ears ringing.
.
And we could hear squeaks and rattles, so we knew if something was on its way to falling off.