How to: Help reduce 6-speed transmission noise in the cab

Intro
I've spent the last two weekends doing tranny maintenance/upgrades on my truck and this little bit was by far the easiest and cheapest.
I'm sure people have already done this before, but I thought I'd make a short write-up and compare results with those who haven't yet.

Tools/Supplies
- 10mm socket (1/4" drive is best, given the small space)
- Philips screwdriver
- A small skewer/flat head (either will work)
- A small amount of fiberglass insulation (I picked up a 48"x16"x2" sheet of the pink stuff at Home Depot for $7)
- Gloves/Long sleeves if fiberglass irritates your skin






Step 1
Remove the cup holder unit by grabbing the center of it and pull directly upwards. Take out the two philips screws as well.

Step 2
Remove the center console unit. Begin by gently prying up a corner of the carpet with a small skewer/flat head screwdriver. Then remove the carpet to expose the two 10mm bolts underneath. Once those are out, the entire unit should come out by gently lifting up and backwards.









Step 3
I ripped off some 8"-9" wide strips (proximate width of the console) off of the fiberglass sheet and laid them down, starting from the back of the center console area and leading up to the shifter boot. Gently tuck the edges under the carpet to avoid any pink fuzzies showing through.






Step 4
Begin packing underneath/around the shifter boot. How much you use here is totally up to you. The more the merrier I'm assuming. Make sure to get some coverage at the back as well. I pushed the chunks in with a stir stick initially then reorganized it all by hand once I had enough in.
NOTE: Once you're done packing, clutch in and make sure you can get into each gear properly. You don't want the insulation interfering. Also check that your e-brake cable doesn't snag on anything.
My sheets rested nicely over top of the cable but feel free to cover it with something first for piece of mind.







Step 5
For re-installation simply do everything backwards. The screws/bolts only need to be snug, over-tightening could crack the plastic. Once everything is back together, ensure that any fiberglass sticking out is tucked in and give the area a quick vacuum. Take your truck for a rip and see how it sounds!



I also plastidipped my cup holders while I had 'em out and vacuum/cleaned out underneath the console.



My Findings
Transmission noise is 25% quieter I'd say. The 2" thickness actually worked out great for underneath the center console/cup holders. Better quality insulation = better results I'm guessing!

The engine is still noisy as usual, but the hiss/whine noise from 4th & 6th gear is less noticeable. The shifter itself, especially aftermarket short shifters tend to transmit the most noise...

 

i would say put a plate of something over the ebreak cable setup so the insulation doesnt get tangled in them and or get fibers pulled down the cable sheeths

I did something similar with some other foam padding under my cup holders but so things didnt vibrate.

Honestly though not sure about using fiberglass insulation... id rather see something like foam padding in there that cant shed / get everywhere.

 

In the form of the sheet I got, it's pretty contained. More so than expected. I didn't even have to vacuum. There are better quality insulation products out there as well. As for the cable, you can certainly put something over it but for me the fiberglass never came in direct contact with it. I will check on it periodically to make sure.

Underlay is another possibility for sound deadening, but not nearly as easy. You can take everything out and line the insides with it by using double-sided tape if you wanted to but it'll take a while. The results would be interesting to know though.

 

I did the same thing on the interior panels of my Matrix 4x4 to reduce some of the road noise in the rear of the car. Worked like a charm and the pink stuff doesnt get wet at all .
Do you mind if I add this little write up to my post here ?
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...ation-your-6-speed-transmissiom-write-up.html

 

Cheap and effective!

Go for it!

 

Necroing this thread! What about heat build up? Is there any issue with the insulation causing the transmission to run hotter?!

 

The transmission is cooled by the radiator in the truck . The metal flooring separates the transmission from being insulated .
The addition of insulation works as a sound barrier . Now if the transmission was to overheat , the insulation would provide a thermal isolator which in turn would prevent the trucks interior from warming up

 

False for manuals.

 

That looks itchy.

My 6mt is very quiet from the transmission. But I would use kilmat/siless/noico sound deadening products like Butyl mats and closed cell foam before I would mess with fiberglass. (I hate fiberglass)

 

The only time I had noise more noticeable than tires or TRD exhaust was when the TRD short shifter rubber dampener broke under warranty and it transferred noise through the stick. Otherwise I have little reason to stuff my console. I have more noise coming from other places.

 

If OP has a lot of transmission noise there is probably a mechanical problem. I'd start thinking about bearings in the transmission. These transmissions are not known for being loud.

 

My bad . Thought the OP was the guy that insulated his console for an automatic . There is another guy on here who did the same thing with an auto .

https://www.driftmotion.com/Driftmotion-Manual-Transmission-Oil-Cooler-Kit-p/dm3561.htm