Tub Floor Options

[SC04Unlimited]

Hey guys - first post so be gentle!

I picked up a 2004 LJ a few weeks ago and wanted to get y'alls thoughts on the options out there to replace the stock carpet and cover the inside of the tub. We live in Charleston, SC so the Jeep will mainly be used as a weekend/beach cruiser with the top and doors off, covering it when rain is in the forecast but keeping the soft top on during the colder winter months. Inevitably, we'll get caught in a shower or two or forget to put the top on so we want to rip out the carpet and cover the floor. Side note - we also plan on replacing the stock seats with Bestop Vinyl seats front and back.

A few priorities for us are:

• Not having to worry if the top is off during an afternoon rain shower or we forget to put the cover on and the inside gets wet
• The ability to simply spray out the tub to get sand, mud, dirt, etc. out
• The Summer heat in Charleston can be brutal so heat absorption would be a huge plus
• We'll have our elementary age kids in the Jeep A LOT so sound deadening is a priority

This is my 4th Jeep over the past 20+ years (98 XJ, 05 WK, 68 Jeepster) and only the Jeepster had a DIY bedlined tub (previous owner). Technology has changed and products have evolved over time so I'm curious what's out there and the genuine thoughts of this expert community. Below is what we are considering but I'm always open to other ideas and suggestions.

1. Spray In Bedliner - Would probably go with a good quality product and company like LineX instead of DIY simply because of the time commitment. Not sure how this does with noise and heat though...
2. Armorlite - Love the "drop-in", anti-mold aspect of it but am curious what happens if/when water does get underneath it.
3. EVA Foam - We live by the ocean so I see this in boats ALL THE TIME and it seems to work very well in that environment. I've never seen it in a Jeep so not sure how feasible or realistic it is.
4. Bedtred Bedrug - I've seen this mentioned a few times but am not fully sold on the "bedrug" idea because all I can think about is bedrugs of the 90s in actual truck beds.

This isn't an immediate need but definitely something coming before next Spring or Summer before the top and doors come off for the warmer months. I really appreciate any and all input, opinions, insight you all can provide. Looking forward to getting to know everyone in time!

 

[JMT]

To sound deaden a TJ and have it able to be sprayed out is a contradiction.

Bedliner sucks for heat and sound deadening. Looks crappy too.

EVA Foam I know nothing about.

BedRug or BedTred perhaps look into the latter over the former. Won’t help with sound deadening.

Armorlite has received praise for those using it and may be your best bet. No idea how well it sound deadens though.

 

[macleanflood]

My BedTred did little to block heat or noise. Fits terrible. I added some DEI heat and noise stuff and will probably add some foam next time I have the seats out.

Best bet...headsets...Rugged Radio. Everyone has an intercom.

-Mac

 

[GATORB8]

I bit the bullet and ordered armorlite on @Rickstar321 's recommendation. He recently posted an install video and can answer any questions you have. Manufactured a couple hours from me in NC.

They have a veteran discount, and I used one from being a JTS patreon, but you won't have to look to hard to find 10% off.

Second place for me was probably going to be Bed Rug front, Bed Tred rear. Unfortunately with how expensive the second row is for Armorlite, you kind of may as well dive all the way in the deep end if you try to split it.

 

[Apparition]

To sound deaden a TJ and have it able to be sprayed out is a contradiction.

Bedliner sucks for heat and sound deadening. Looks crappy too.

EVA Foam I know nothing about.

BedRug or BedTred perhaps look into the latter over the former. Won’t help with sound deadening.

Armorlite has received praise for those using it and may be your best bet. No idea how well it sound deadens though.

Have bed tread in my truck, had bedrug in my last truck.

My next truck will get a bedrug. Never liked my bedtred.

Wouldn't consider bedtred in a jeep at all.

 

[GATORB8]

On the EVA/Seadek, I've considered it for the boat several times over the years, and have an ebay custom floor mat in the golf cart.

I think you'll see a lot more abrasion in the Jeep than the boat, and you are 100% reliant on adhesive durability with it. I wouldn't expect any noise/heat mitigation. With the CNC requirements to do it right, I think you'd end up spending double Armorlite on having SeaDek do it, and I wouldn't waste my money on the ebay stuff.

 

[JMT]

Hey guys - first post so be gentle!

I picked up a 2004 LJ a few weeks ago and wanted to get y'alls thoughts on the options out there to replace the stock carpet and cover the inside of the tub. We live in Charleston, SC so the Jeep will mainly be used as a weekend/beach cruiser with the top and doors off, covering it when rain is in the forecast but keeping the soft top on during the colder winter months. Inevitably, we'll get caught in a shower or two or forget to put the top on so we want to rip out the carpet and cover the floor. Side note - we also plan on replacing the stock seats with Bestop Vinyl seats front and back.

A few priorities for us are:

• Not having to worry if the top is off during an afternoon rain shower or we forget to put the cover on and the inside gets wet
• The ability to simply spray out the tub to get sand, mud, dirt, etc. out
• The Summer heat in Charleston can be brutal so heat absorption would be a huge plus
• We'll have our elementary age kids in the Jeep A LOT so sound deadening is a priority

This is my 4th Jeep over the past 20+ years (98 XJ, 05 WK, 68 Jeepster) and only the Jeepster had a DIY bedlined tub (previous owner). Technology has changed and products have evolved over time so I'm curious what's out there and the genuine thoughts of this expert community. Below is what we are considering but I'm always open to other ideas and suggestions.

1. Spray In Bedliner - Would probably go with a good quality product and company like LineX instead of DIY simply because of the time commitment. Not sure how this does with noise and heat though...
2. Armorlite - Love the "drop-in", anti-mold aspect of it but am curious what happens if/when water does get underneath it.
3. EVA Foam - We live by the ocean so I see this in boats ALL THE TIME and it seems to work very well in that environment. I've never seen it in a Jeep so not sure how feasible or realistic it is.
4. Bedtred Bedrug - I've seen this mentioned a few times but am not fully sold on the "bedrug" idea because all I can think about is bedrugs of the 90s in actual truck beds.

This isn't an immediate need but definitely something coming before next Spring or Summer before the top and doors come off for the warmer months. I really appreciate any and all input, opinions, insight you all can provide. Looking forward to getting to know everyone in time!

I’m convinced that the best thing you can do to reduce heat is have an auxiliary transmission cooler. Especially in your situation. The transmission tunnel gets so hot and it just radiates into the interior.

For sound deadening get a good stereo setup and turn it up.

 

[SC04Unlimited]

Yeah, Armorlite isn't something I wouldn't have even considered until I started reading the forum and I still have hesitation but all the reviews on here seem to love it. My biggest concern is water getting under the mats AND the smell but their website and the reviews here seem to say those are not a concern.

The bedliner solution has been around for ages but the heat and sound deadening aspects are important for us considering it gets 100+ degrees on a hot summer day and we'll have young kids in the back.

As for the aux transmission cooler, it's definitely something that's on my short list especially if a re-gear is on the horizon but not immediate. Knowing it may keep the tunnel cooler with the carpet out may move it up on the list actually...

And yes, new speakers all around are also on the list but gotta knock things off one at a time til I win the lottery.