1970 Bronco Sport in southern california
If you intend to drive it for more than a few minutes at a time, or get on a freeway for more than a few minutes at a time, or drive it at all in the summer, or drive it with the top on, then I say that firewall insulation is not only a good thing, but it’s absolutely critical to the future enjoyment of your Bronco.
In fact, adding way more than the factory did is good for both sound and heat.
But especially heat!
I gather some early years didn't have it, but most originally did after 67...
Because FORD realized very quickly that it was an absolute necessity.
So, do you all think it's worth putting in?
Does it really help with sound? Heat/cool under in the cabin?
Yes, and yes. Probably more with heat than with sound. But certainly both to an extent.
Generally speaking, the best practice for anyone building a bronco, is to insulate the living crap out of the inside of a bronco.
It’s basically an echo chamber and a heat magnet.
The engine, exhaust, the outdoor temperature, the drivetrain, reflected road heat and noise all transmit heat (or cold) and noise through the uninsulated body panels.
So unless you prefer the bare metal look of the inside of a plain Bronco (which is pretty retro-cool by the way), or still young and noise and temperature extremes don’t bother you as much as they do when we get older, the best way to gain comfort for you and the family and any other passengers riding along, is to use extensive sounding application over every interior body panel from the tailgate to the firewall and cowl. Then regular insulation over that to block the heat. Then carpet, or full floor mats as you prefer.
Taking advantage of all modern technology and methods of minimizing all of this is a good thing.
Hard to stress it enough.
