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Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question

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Offline scottprice

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Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« on: May 19, 2009, 07:40:31 AM »
Hey guys, noobie here so if this would be best to throw into the new section please do so. I've been trolling around here for months now and I'm "this" close to getting a Tracker. I have a pretty clear vision of what I'm in for, except for one minor/major depending on how you look at it problem.

I may be moving to either the Phoenix, AZ area or the Denver, CO area and this could cause an issue with the A/C and convertible top thing. Sounds stupid yes, but it's a legitamite concern with the soft tops since I'd be dealing with either 110 degree heat or many feet of snow. Hard Tops would probably be the best option in these conditions, but I'm unwilling to spend $900 or about the same price I'd pay for the Tracker. This is going to be an every day commuter so it needs to have more practicality than your average trail rig. Anyone have other options out there that I can do (insulation DIY tops anything), anyone that has experience with this especially those that live in these conditions, would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to do as much of this as I can myself, I'd be willing to build insulate or do whatever it took, as long as it's within a reasonable budget.

Also, has anyone tried anything like Dynaspray to coat their interiors or any other type of insulator and had good results? I was thinking about Herculiner, but I don't think it has any insulating properties. I could probably use both, but if I'm tearing up the carpet to Dynaspray and Herculine the floor, it probably defeats the whole purpose since the flooring probably insulates better, i'd think

Thanks In Advance!
« Last Edit: May 19, 2009, 12:00:56 PM by scottprice »

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Offline scottprice

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2009, 04:30:52 PM »
Just found this, doesn't look like Suva has been on recently, anyone know how to build one of these? I don't weld or I'd do it myself.

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=23685.msg194587#msg194587

Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2009, 04:55:59 PM »
What kind of job are you looking at? Reason I ask is how are you going to be dressed. I grew up in phoenix, lots of my friends got away with topless jeeps in the summer no AC. But if you have to wear a suit, it would suck. But if you can wear shorts and a polo shirt or something you could get away with the top down. Just get some seat covers to protect from the sun. If you got to wear a suit everyday, in phoenix (especially in traffic) you will sweat your b**** off without a good AC. I would say it would be worth it to get a hard top and recharge the AC you'll need it. As far as living in CO. I also lived/ grew up in Woodland Park (18miles west of CO Springs) I would not worry about it at all. Summer are mild enough, winter you can always wear more clothes and put in a block heater. Hope that helps.

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Offline scottprice

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2009, 05:01:51 PM »
Yeah I figured my arch nemesis would be the 110 degree weather. I'm already looking into insulating the car. I'd likely have to be anywhere from business casual to shirt and tie most of the time as I'm in advertising. Now to just find an affordable way to get a hard top. I'm going to have my mechanic recharge that AC (probably inspires me a bit more to get the white one with the white top as well lol)

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Offline bentparts

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2009, 06:07:29 PM »
 ;) Look for a 2door Tintop ( factory hardtop ) They're cooler in the hot summer with the ac on, and warmer in the winter with the heat on. Plus if you insulate them further, they're quieter than a ragtop  too.
The usual stuff, and 2nd generation Air to liquid intercooled TURBOCHARGER

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Offline scottprice

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2009, 07:36:43 PM »
only hard top versions I've been able to find here locally were 4 doors, unfortunately they all got sold before I had a chance to get one, plus they were asking way too much. I've seen like 2 or 3 2 door hard top trackers around here, all privately owned and not for sale, plus they were really beat up. Anyone anyone near Lancaster, PA know of one? ; )

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Offline scottprice

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2009, 01:48:00 PM »
Any recommendations on insulation materials?

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Offline Uncivilized

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2009, 02:07:00 PM »
In the cold, it's hard to keep them warm. The bare metal is the reason. If you can find a parts rig with full plastic interior you could swap all that in to help keep it warm. The heater in the car will then heat the air between the plastic and the metal and reduce the heat loss. Stuff the quarters with pink insulation, put down an extra layer of jute mat on the floor... wear a jacket

 ;) Dave

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Offline scottprice

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2009, 02:56:16 PM »
how about spray foam instead of pink insulation?

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Offline fuzzy1

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2009, 03:21:03 PM »
how about spray foam instead of pink insulation?

Mine has a convertible hardtop on it, but it had all sorts of gaps & air leaks in it last winter. The biggest prob I had though is air rushing through the door handle gap, & I think I'm gonna try & fix that with a light switch foam insert, like you put in the house, but cut to fit under the cover. If you put a 195* thermostat in it, it'll heat up real well anyhow, no real need for more insulation imho.

Fuzz

'97 Sidekick Sport 1" spacer lift 225/75R16 Cooper AT's. Pioneer Sound, 14" Grant Steering Wheel.Otherwise mostly stock
'96 Tracker 1.6l 16v 3spd Auto 4x4 85k - 1 1/2" OME Lift BFG 235/75 AT's on Ion Alloy 15x7's - Pioneer Sound - Custom Installed Hydraulic Drivers Seat (Sold)

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Offline Bryce132

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2009, 06:42:25 PM »
how about spray foam instead of pink insulation?

These  both sounds like bad ideas. They both hold moisture.. which causes rust....
Sound dampening would be a better solution, but more expensive.

Bryce

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Offline scottprice

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2009, 06:49:05 PM »
I was looking into a bunch of sound dampening materials, found some different solutions, I liked the idea of one I found that applied like Herculiner.... don't know how effective it'd be but my thought would be that if it insulates, kills sound a bit, and adds a bit of structural integrity it sounds like a good idea, as well as the fact that it'd be easily applied to areas that may be more difficult with a Dynamat sheet

http://www.dynamat.com/products_car_audio_dynaspray.html

Any thoughts?

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Offline mypocketsrfull

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2009, 06:51:05 PM »
how about spray foam instead of pink insulation?

These  both sounds like bad ideas. They both hold moisture.. which causes rust....
Sound dampening would be a better solution, but more expensive.

Bryce

really? i use spray foam, or expanding foam (aka "Great Stuff") all the time, and once it is sprayed on, it is non porous and non absorbant. if you sand it, cut it, etc, you THEN open up the pores of the material, and you are correct, it will absorb water. second, other materials that are in the vehicle absorb water as well such as your carpet. but in this case, i would reccommend keeping it because it will def. keep it a bit warmer in there.

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Offline djlantis57

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2009, 07:31:36 PM »
I love my 2dr tintop :)
God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things.  Right now I am so far behind, I will never die.
90 Tracker LSi 2dr tintop 5spd: slow toy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 Pontiac G8 GT: fast toy
90 Tracker LSi 2dr 5spd: SOLD.......95 Tracker 2dr 5spd: parts..........90 Sidekick JX 5spd: HI, my name's DJ and I have an addiction.........93 Tracker 2dr 2wd 5spd: PS donor/poss. 4x4 swap from 95 parts

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Offline scottprice

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Re: Insulation/ Extreme Weather Question
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2009, 07:32:53 PM »
Don't gloat lol