Driving noise is something you have to live with when owning a classic land cruiser, even more when owning a diesel version. That’s why Toyota assembled the Diesel cruisers in some markets with a factory silence pad under the hood. Not seen that often, since these were mostly issued to countries where heat is not really an issue, like Europe, Japan and Canada. You wont find these in African, Australian and South American diesel trucks.
You can recognize the absence of the silencer pad, when you have 2 brackets on both sides of your hood. Here the pad will be mounted with black plastic clips.
My Japanese BJ44 was originally equipped with one, but probably trashed by the previous owner some time ago. These were hard to get, and if still available pretty expensive for what you get. So most of the time the owner left it that way.
I placed a request for a silencer pad on the forum of the dutch Landcruiser club (www.landcruiser-club.nl) and only a few days later got a reply I could pick one up for only 25 euros. Yeeeh.!
The pad did not win the beauty contest, and came from an old BJ40 that had been parked outdoors for a while.
After some blowing with pressured air, and gluing the loose fabric ends, it already started to look decent.
Then I applied my magic black stuff (see window weatherstripping post ) that makes everything looks like new again. Took me almost a full bottle, but the pad looked like new again, at least good enough for a 30 year old car.
See for yourself, I think this is a great addition to the car… and since its a stock item, the car is now even more complete than before.
Enjoy the pics!
bj44 
August 16th, 2011 at 1:57 am
Hello,
Your Cruiser is looking great.
Kee upthe good job.
Juan
August 16th, 2011 at 5:36 am
thank you juan!
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Curious about how much of a difference in sound that deadening made, was it worth it, would you recommend someone try to make something like it for the sake of noise?
November 3rd, 2011 at 12:23 am
hi there, well everything makes a difference, the question is how much do you expect… they are still diesel cruisers so noise will stay, but I must say it does help somewhat. I also used sound deadening material in the doors, so they also contribute to the overal sound improvement. best thing is to use different things together, like using material on the floors (front and back), the doors, the fire wall and the hood. but always keep in mind that these materials might become moisty and therefore speed up the possibility for rust… in the end its a cruiser… not a modern car… you have to live with that.
November 3rd, 2011 at 1:12 am
For sure, it will never be like a modern car in terms of noise, just wondering if it would be worth trying to make something if there was a lot coming from the engine bay. Sounds like you are saying it is better but not so noticeable that you would make it a must have accessory.
Thanks for the reply and all the photos on this site, my own cruiser is about to get the same treatment as I slowly pull it down and start refurbishing parts! Great to see how well yours came out.
March 21st, 2013 at 10:33 pm
Could you please advise the name of product you use to paint the hood pad I cant find this product
March 21st, 2013 at 11:43 pm
hi andrew, its a product sold for faded plastic bumpers, to refresh the color, make the darker black. i used it for the rubbers on my bj44, and also tried it on the silence.. you have to see it a bit as a colored shoe polish, it will soak into the material and make it darker/black and above that give it a protective film. you can buy it from several brands, named black chrome, bumper black etc.. mine was from the brand turtle wax and was named black chrome… a product a bit comparable would be the stuff you can use for making your tires rich/fresh black again… make sure you use gloves, because you will end up with black fingers otherwise.. 🙂
March 21st, 2013 at 11:45 pm
hi there, yes i have the address, but at work. please send me a mail at folkert (at) formlab.nl, and i will find it for you..