Roof insulation

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Itali83

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I’ve got the headliner out in my suburban so I can redo it. Also I’m installing the rear wind deflector and roof rack. What’s the best insulation to use on the inside of the roof. I want to help out the a/c the best I can and keep the heat out. I know about dynamat but thought I read a post a while ago about another brand being better. Let me know what you guys have used to insulate your squares.

Ben
 

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I was wondering how that thin foil bubble wrap looking stuff would work. Been thinking of using it on my ceiling and behind the seat on the back of the cab. It doesn't look like much, but they use it on buildings so it should have some R value.
 

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I was wondering how that thin foil bubble wrap looking stuff would work. Been thinking of using it on my ceiling and behind the seat on the back of the cab. It doesn't look like much, but they use it on buildings so it should have some R value.
Heat will be a big part on your roof. If you use it on the back I think you’ll hear less drone or resonating noise
 

Itali83

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I used noico 30mil thermal insulation foam
I used the foil backed stuff for sound attenuation and the foam for blocking heat
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have you put the truck together yet and does it seem to help/worth the cost?

ben
 

Craig 85

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I used Boom Mat for noise cancelling, it's not so great for deflecting exhaust heat. I don't have carpet installed yet and after a while, the heat will radiate through the floor. I will be adding a foil backed jute before carpet. I also don't have my headliner in. I don't notice the heat coming through the roof in the summer like it used to prior to the Boom Mat. The roof is primer black right now. Even with having no headliner or carpets my A/C keeps the cab cool when its 95 degrees.

I think a combination of some sound deadener with the light weight foil backed bubble wrap would be a good choice.

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evl

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I use the foil backed bubble insulation between the roof and headliner, i have done this on cars and trucks and there is a noticeable difference. Put the foil side up.
Just did another one yesterday on a c10. I dont glue them in, just cut the bubble foil slightly smaller than headliner and it stays put
 

R Carnella

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have you put the truck together yet and does it seem to help/worth the cost?

ben
Still prepping for Paint now so i haven't tested yet but i can tell already it feels like a igloo just sitting in it,so i expect my a/c to be pumping this year lol
I also put foam insulation on the floors too in this pic you can see the sound deadening that went first
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R Carnella

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have you put the truck together yet and does it seem to help/worth the cost?

ben
It’s still getting painted right now but I’ll definitely post something when it’s finished
Doesn’t have any glass in it now lol
 

scenic760

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It’s still getting painted right now but I’ll definitely post something when it’s finished
Doesn’t have any glass in it now lol

I just stumbled on this thread after looking for some advice on where to put the dynamat in my 1981 Suburban.

Did you ever get your back together? Looks like a nice resto project!

Also, I have had my weatherstripping kit on backorder almost a year with Summit, did you replace yours and if so were you just lucky enough to get it before all the "supply chain issues" ??
 

SirRobyn0

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Something someone out there might find useful. I wouldn't do this to my square, but my other truck is a 1992 Dodge that is in.... Well worn shape. I the headliner got so bad in it, I had to take it down. Heat coming in from the roof was terrible, so I office clipped dollar tree windshield covers to the roof, the ones that look like bubble wrap and are shinny on one side. Well that simple stuff actually deflected heat better than the factory headliner did. I guess what I'm saying is whatever kind of insulation you add up there will be likely better than just the headliner alone.
 

R Carnella

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It's finished and I've been driving it everyday
I did replace all weather strip and glass rubber. I started buying parts about a year before stripping it down (pre pan) so fortunately i had no issues actually getting the parts. Also bought all rubber from precision rubber.com
 

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Catbox

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I am going to be using this product that the internet has been using for years.
It is Frost King E/O 12 in. x 15 ft. Self-Stick Foam/Foil Duct Insulation.
You can pick it up at most home stores for around $20 as that is what I bought it for a few months ago.

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Originalthor

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Was driving my suburban for about 3 weeks with no headliner in and once the temp started getting up into the 30s I was dying. So went to my local insulation guy and he sold me 2 4x8 sheets of foil back on both sides half inch thick insulation. I cut it to fit between the cross bracing and left it the full 48 inches wide and was able to tuck it in pretty far on both sides.

It made a world of a difference. I also used some good 3m spray glue to attach it and foil ducting tape on the cross braces
 

Originalthor

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Was in the garage tonight and was looking and thought I would post a picture of what I did and did a quick measurement on the pieces and they are 54 inches or so long by the width of the cross bracing spacing. So they do tuck in there pretty good on the sides.

My one concern on doing this is if moisture got trapped where the roof ribs are theres no where for it to go and could create a rust spot.
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