Looking to collect a few data points before I have some time off in Summer to work on the van..
I've got a '97 RB E-250 that was/is an ex-cargo van with what's essentially a standard passenger interior retrofitted into it. It doesn't have a box of marbles under the dog house, but I would like to make it a little quieter for cruising @70-85 down the highway and not having to blast the radio to hear it.
I've also been frustrated that in the summer (Bay area/Livermore) it can be really hard to cool the van simply because there is so much space to cool, and that in the winter up here in Montana it can take a while to heat up.
I've heard a bit about 2lb mass loaded vinyl (MLV) and 3M Thinsulate.
I was thinking about using the MLV on the floor, doubled up under the front seats and doubled up around the wheel wells. I figure it would work OK for sound deadening and don't have to worry about it compressing too much.
Biggest issue is finding this stuff for a reasonable deal. Seems like everyone who is selling it wants $4-5/sqft before shipping (really heavy) or sales tax. I've found some 1.5#/sqft for ~$2/sqft, but I'm not sure how much sound deadening is lost between 1.5# and 2#.
I've also been wondering about some of the thicker 3M Thinsulate since its lighter/cheaper to put under stock side paneling and I'm more interested in thermal insulation on the sides and roof. Depending on what you get some of it is supposed to be fire resistant.
One of my big worries is here in the winter it isn't uncommon to get a sheet of ice to freeze onto the roof of the van, and the last thing I want is to be going down the highway and have a sheet of ice lift off the back of the van and hit someone else.
Stupid thought- Anyone make "roof heaters" for insulated van roofs?
Other ideas for sound and thermal insulation that might be better from a cost-benefit analysis? I feel uneasy about spray foam, kind of messy and hard to do electrical work and especially hard to "undo" it if desired later.
Just interested to hear some data points, what works, what doesn't. Thanks!
-Erik