Diagnosing Road Noise in My 2015 LC – Advice Welcome (1 Viewer)

[kty]

Last summer, I picked up a 2015 Land Cruiser with 240k miles in mint condition. It was so solid and quiet on the highway that my wife wanted one too. I found another 2015 with 140k, also very well maintained.

But here’s the problem — the second LC is noticeably louder on the road. Same tires but much more road noise. We do a lot of highway miles and I’m pretty sensitive to sound, so it’s been driving me nuts.

What I’ve Checked So Far:

• Windshield: The quieter truck has the original windshield. The louder one has a Pilkington replacement (non-acoustic). Neither windshield explicitly says “acoustic,” but the OEM glass could be quieter. I know some people on here say it is. I’m planning to replace it with an acoustic LX windshield replacement (not OEM but $450 installed).
• Trim: There were some loose trim pieces, especially around the A-pillar. Fixing those helped quite a bit.
• Driver’s Side Doors: This truck had body work on both driver’s side doors (fender bender by previous owner). The interior door panel had a visible gap between the glass when I bought it. Sounded like the window was cracked. That’s since been fixed, but my mechanic noted a bunch of broken clips and missing parts inside. Perhaps some insulation was removed or damaged. Door glass is still original.

My Hunch: The noise is coming from multiple sources — not just the windshield. Feels like a combo of door sealing/insulation issues and general cabin acoustics. I’ve ridden in LX 570s and didn’t find them dramatically quieter than my better LC.

Looking for Help:

Has anyone successfully tracked down and fixed similar road noise issues in a 200-series? Especially after body work? I’m open to pulling door panels, adding sound deadening, replacing seals — whatever works.

 

[TexomaPowerboater]

Sounds like your windshield lacks noise cancelling properties and the new doors installed didn't have the OEM insulation. That is easily enough to make for a louder car ride.

 

[kty]

Sounds like your windshield lacks noise cancelling properties and the new doors installed didn't have the OEM insulation. That is easily enough to make for a louder car ride.

The doors weren't replaced, fyi. But maybe some insulation was removed by the body shop? Agreed in any case. I'm also starting to think that maybe the door seals aren't sealing on the drivers side and that is a major contributor.

 

[gasman4u]

The doors weren't replaced, fyi. But maybe some insulation was removed by the body shop? Agreed in any case. I'm also starting to think that maybe the door seals aren't sealing on the drivers side and that is a major contributor.

If they're not finding a good seal, you surely will hear more road noise - unquestionably. I don't know aside from some sort of electronic "ears/microphone sniffer" type of equipment that may or may not be able to help you dial in where exactly the majority of your noise is coming from if you can put it different places on your rig.

 

[2021 LC200]

Have a 2021 which I did some mods on to make it practical and in the process ended up improving sound isolation.

My issues and steps taken:
-> Noise from Rhino Rack - Installed self made wind fairing, big improvement
-> Noise from Engine when towing in the mountains at higher rpm - Installed dynamat under the hood (behind the factory insulation) and used some low expanding foam to fill the hood supporting frame cavities. Noticeable improvement.
-> Since I had dynamat I opened up the rear side panels and floor and wheel arches and installed Dynamat on those. Expanded that to the doors. Makes the doors like 80'ties S-class Benzes. Very little improvement if anything. Perhaps my first tire change to one size up and all terrains will be payback time.
-> Since i went down this route I bought for ~$180 each laminated LX side windows and installed the same. Very little improvement if anything, then again all little bits may have made it slightly quieter. Lets say I have done all I can think off.
-> I also installed the LX rubber seals between front and rear doors, noticed no difference... Does keep that area behind it cleaner.

Outstanding if I ever get to it a) drop the head liner to install dynamat on the roof and b) install dynamat on the floor from back row to the front

Considering the OP situation I would think:
-> focus on the doors replacing or fixing any door seals damaged or leaking, consider installing dynamat on the door panel from the inside (removing the door cover and the water barrier for access)
-> then get the laminated (acoustic) wind shield which is probably a big step

PS - Our 2021 LC200 was quieter pre any of these mods then my inline 6 BMW 535d (which is quiet) including ability to talk or listen to music while going 75 along the high way. The roof rack required work. The rest was to make something very good even better.

 

[kty]

Have a 2021 which I did some mods on to make it practical and in the process ended up improving sound isolation.

My issues and steps taken:
-> Noise from Rhino Rack - Installed self made wind fairing, big improvement
-> Noise from Engine when towing in the mountains at higher rpm - Installed dynamat under the hood (behind the factory insulation) and used some low expanding foam to fill the hood supporting frame cavities. Noticeable improvement.
-> Since I had dynamat I opened up the rear side panels and floor and wheel arches and installed Dynamat on those. Expanded that to the doors. Makes the doors like 80'ties S-class Benzes. Very little improvement if anything. Perhaps my first tire change to one size up and all terrains will be payback time.
-> Since i went down this route I bought for ~$180 each laminated LX side windows and installed the same. Very little improvement if anything, then again all little bits may have made it slightly quieter. Lets say I have done all I can think off.
-> I also installed the LX rubber seals between front and rear doors, noticed not difference. Does keep that area cleaner behind it...

Outstanding if I ever get to it is drop the head liner is to a) install dynamat on the roof and b) install dynamat on the floor from back row to the front

Considering the OP situation I would think:
-> focus on the doors replacing or fixing any door seals damaged or leaking, consider installing dynamat on the door panel from the inside (removing the door cover and the water barrier for access)
-> then get the laminated (acoustic) wind shield which is probably a big step

Impressive work. Very helpful!

Windshield is gonna happen next week. Hoping that makes a big diff. Could be that the trim is still not seated correctly and that is where it's all coming from.

Did you have the insulation on the underside of the hood installed, and then you added foam under that?

 

[Sandroad]

For sure fix any air leaks or trim issues with the DS doors or windshield. However, I think it’s a good possibility it’s the tires. Even if they are the same brand and model and size, tires definitely change in noise level as they age and wear, especially if there is even a small balance or alignment issue.

 

[linuxgod]

Swap the tires between vehicles first. Cupping or odd wear can cause a lot of noise

If it’s wind noise make sure the sunroof is closed, those seals have a tendency to shrink and cause noise

If it’s wind noise I can’t say, but outside of that I’d have a shop check the drivetrain (especially wheel bearings)

 

[2021 LC200]

Impressive work. Very helpful!

Windshield is gonna happen next week. Hoping that makes a big diff. Could be that the trim is still not seated correctly and that is where it's all coming from.

Did you have the insulation on the underside of the hood installed, and then you added foam under that?

Agree with tire comments above

Good to hear about the windshield!

Did the insulation of the underside of the hood myself, as well as the low expanding foam in the hood frame (be careful as regular high expanding foam may bend the hood surface which would be terrible). All in all for normal 2000 to 3000 rpm use minor improvement. Does help some at high rpm/specific tow case in mountains. Seems this should not be on your radar screen unless you want to dynamat a bunch.

 

[kty]

For sure fix any air leaks or trim issues with the DS doors or windshield. However, I think it’s a good possibility it’s the tires. Even if they are the same brand and model and size, tires definitely change in noise level as they age and wear, especially if there is even a small balance or alignment issue.

Funny you should say that. I noticed this truck's steering was stiffer than my other, so I took it to my shop today. They called and low and behold something in the alignment was off and installed incorrectly. They are going to fix, so ... this just might be the issue! Thanks for the insight.

 

[Zill]

Funny you should say that. I noticed this truck's steering was stiffer than my other, so I took it to my shop today. They called and low and behold something in the alignment was off and installed incorrectly. They are going to fix, so ... this just might be the issue! Thanks for the insight.

The early gen 200’s had a much lighter feeling steering rack compared to the late model 200’s.

 

[kty]

The early gen 200’s had a much lighter feeling steering rack compared to the late model 200’s.

Is that a good or bad thing?