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Hard Top Headliners...Which one?

40K views 74 replies 42 participants last post by  NickMOAB 
#1 ·
I bought my 2017 Wrangler Sport with the 3pc hard top but with no hard top headliner. I am considering buying the Mopar version, and am also looking at the Boom Mat versions that Quadratec sells. I like that the Boom Mat version will allegedly quiet some of the noise, but maybe the Mopar version is just as good. Does anyone have experience with both of these or have any other options I should be looking at?

Thank you,
 
#2 ·
I considered them all, and settled on the HotHead Headliners. Check out the videos on their website, and get the answers to all your questions. Look for %-off discounts around the holidays.

I'm still extremely happy with them, and in the middle of a 2nd winter in N.E. Ohio now. They're very well made and look great. Most importantly, they made a world of a difference.

Link to an older post of mine in a good thread (and the picture that follows it is spot-on like my top looked recently):
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/head-liner-1593553.html#post23903857

All the best.
 
#9 ·
So did any of you HH owners choose the Sound Assassin option? Part of the reason for me to choose the hardtop headliner is climate control, but the sound deadening aspect is equally or more important because of road noise and I will install a pretty decent aftermarket stereo eventually. This option doesn't cost a lot more but was wondering if anyone here has any input on that as well.

Thanks again
 
#20 ·
Thanks guys. You convinced me to do the HH. I think I read that they are good down to -40 degrees. It's rare but we can get that cold in IA in the winter. Any of you cold states guys have a problem with this, or is it that after going through a hot summer the adhesive bakes on well enough tghat this isnt a concern?
 
#23 · (Edited)
Yes, I did the Sound Assassin strips with the HotHeads.
Conversations with folks in the back seat are flawless now. I'm happy.
For the extra couple bucks up front, I consider it a good investment all around.

Make sure your temperatures are over 50 degrees F for a couple days, then go for it. Below 50F, the 3M tape on the headliners doesn't bond well.

Follow the instructions in the videos. They send paper copies too.
Step 1 was to sandpaper-scuff all of the surfaces that are indented, where the liners go.
Then clean well with Acetone (hardware store, Wally-mart, etc.) on a rag, turning often. Wearing gloves will be appreciated by your kidneys and liver.
Clean that off with 50% alcohol (water down the standard 70% or 90% type). The alcohol has some minor residue properties where the folk at 3M say 50% is best.
The Sound Assassin is like ~2" wide strips of 1/8" of Silly Putty with aluminum foil that stays on the side facing out. The strips are cut to good lengths, and the HotHeads folk ship a plastic roller for you to use (nice!). Apply the strips as described, roll 'em out to get any air bubbles out and stick 'em good. Then install the headliners. The 3M tape won't be on the strips, if you did it right.

Not brain science or rocket surgery, and even a bonehead like me did just fine.
No regrets whatsoever here.

(Oh, and winters here in N.E. Ohio have seen a lot of 20 degree days. Last winter it was around -5F or so for a good week. No issues, and the cabin warmed up nicely. Trip to Hatteras NC was comfy.)
 
#26 ·
I've been considering hardtop liner mainly for sound deadening purposes.

JK is third vehicle. Nearly all mileage is 70+ MPH interstate traveling to/from Jeep and/or camping destinations. Trips to Moab/Tetons/Ouray were each over 2,000 miles round trip. Nitto Trail Grapplers didn't help.

Primary goal is to more than noticeably cut the interior noise on those trips. Under carpet deadening mats/strips under consideration as well. Understand interior will never be considered quiet and another tire choice would significantly impact outcome. However, even with my tire choice, believe less loud by a fair amount is an achievable goal. Of course, this is all in theory...........

Hothead Headliners looks to be the go-to aftermarket choice here from both product quality and customer support. To those of you who own their products:

* Did the headliner significantly reduce interior noise?
* Do you have headliner only, headliner with side window panels and with or without sound assassin strips?
* Anyone have their sound assassin full floor kit installed as well as Hothead Headliners? Your results?

Your experience would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
#29 ·
I have used both the MOPAR and HH. The HH are a way nicer product so I'm assuming the block sound a little better. I currently have the MOPAR and also the Sound Assassin on the floors. If the windows could be sound proofed this would be as quiet as my Grand Cherokee was. And actually the road noise is way less than the GC. The SA cuts out the vibration type noise that are so prevalent in Wranglers. Its one of the best things I have ever done for my Jeep.
 
#27 ·
My setup, as mentioned earlier, is HotHead headliners (and I got the sides, too, just to complete the package) with Sound Assassin strip on the roof.

It made an immediate and significant improvement. No more sounding like being in a cavern. And conversations with the back seat are just like being in my former Pilot.

This is my DD / family truckster (since the family can't fit on the back of the motorcycle). It gets side roads, freeway commutes, seen a bunch of 4-hr interstate rides, and a 15 hour vacation so far. And it was even more quiet on beach sand, I should say! :~)

From what I've seen / heard, the floor deadeners tend to be used by audiophiles who are creating a cocoon for their music. I'm sure they're even more amazing. But I'm extremely happy with this setup as it is, and have no intent to go philharmonic.

Have fun!
 
#30 ·
My setup, as mentioned earlier, is HotHead headliners (and I got the sides, too, just to complete the package) with Sound Assassin strip on the roof.

It made an immediate and significant improvement. No more sounding like being in a cavern. And conversations with the back seat are just like being in my former Pilot.
1HAW:

Couple questions:

Any issues with install (assuming a DIY)?

How long have they been installed?

Any issues with panels starting to droop and/or adhesive tape letting go from either back of panel or roof?


I have used both the MOPAR and HH. The HH are a way nicer product so I'm assuming the block sound a little better. I currently have the MOPAR and also the Sound Assassin on the floors. If the windows could be sound proofed this would be as quiet as my Grand Cherokee was. And actually the road noise is way less than the GC. The SA cuts out the vibration type noise that are so prevalent in Wranglers. Its one of the best things I have ever done for my Jeep.
DW:

I've done some research on MOPAR/HH and Boom Mats.

Another Jeep forum has a fairly lengthy thread on HH (started back in 2011) that has several comments on the HH adhesive tape losing strength and panels pulling away less than a year after installation. HH made a couple changes to placement of/manufacturer of adhesive strips used to attach panels that seemed to address the problem. Did you experience any issues with the panels pulling away?

800 lb. gorilla in the corner..........why now running MOPAR panels when you gave HH the review above?

I have 2 dr. as well, so interested in your response. On a 1-10 scale (10 being major PITA), other than time involved to strip the carpet/seats, rate difficulty of installing Sound Assassin to the tub. I've watched their Youtube Video, I have reservations anytime instructions begin "all you have to do is.............". Anything you'd do different here?
 
#31 ·
#37 ·
The first mod I put in the Jeep were HotHeads.

Watch the Youtube videos and follow the instructions. I gets really hot in the SoCal deserts and the HotHeads did a great job of keeping my head cool this summer keeping the sun out with the foil lining and keeping the cool in with the padding. Now that chilly winter has come they help hold the heat in.

They're holding up just fine and look good.
 
#38 ·
Answering a couple questions from my experience...

Q: Any issues with install (assuming a DIY)?
A: No issues at all. Did it in my garage with the door up in Dec 2015 when we had a stray >50F sunny day. I took my dear sweet time and it only took a couple hours. Packages included everything I needed except Acetone, alcohol, a rag, gloves, and a beer for the post-celebration. If you can sit in the back of the Jeep with the seats folded down, and press your hands upward onto the roof, you have all the capability you need.

Q: How long have they been installed?
A: Just over a year. This is their 2nd winter in the "lake effect snow belt" of N.E. Ohio.

Q: Any issues with panels starting to droop and/or adhesive tape letting go from either back of panel or roof?
A: None whatsoever. These babies are built rock solid.

Going from the pictures in my memory... There is plenty of wide 3M VHB tape on plastic strips (2-3"?) that are attached to the stiff backing. The material is very snugly and securely attached to the foam + really stiff backing. The web site videos show the backside well. No ripples, no sagging, nothing; still looks like brand new all around. The black material is very soft to the touch; not coarse, and not thin either. Totally pro-looking.

When I shopped, I had the exact same concerns. I fully expect that they'll last the life of the Jeep and longer. Currently at 21500 on the odometer, and they went in at around 2000 miles.

Thanks for asking.
 
#39 ·
Forgot to mention...

If I had to do it all over again, I'll pop out the Freedom Panels and install their liners on a bench or in the back of the Jeep. At the time, I had never had the panels out yet. The 2 minutes time would have saved a bunch of contortions. But in place wasn't big problem. Just twisting and turning a little to get upward pressure on the roof area, and several "get out and stretch" breaks. I'm not as young as I used to be!
 
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