Jeep Wrangler Wind Noise (Complete Solution)

Do you have a Jeep that has a wind noise inside that you cannot tolerate any longer? There are a few things you can do that just might stop those wind noises for you.

Jeeps do not have to have excessive wind noises or distracting road noises.

Common Causes of Wind Noises in Jeeps

Soft Tops Are Noisy

Most Jeep owners will agree that a soft top on a Jeep does not provide you with the completely quiet interior you get from vehicles without soft tops. The material can flap a little in the wind. There is not an insulating layer between you and the top preventing you from hearing the wind blowing across the material.

Some people say this is like the sound of rain falling on a metal roof. You either embrace it and love it or you get a different roof.

That is not exactly the truth. While there is going to be a higher level of road noise and exterior sounds inside a Jeep with a soft-top it should not be so noisy inside the vehicle that you are annoyed or distracted.

Keep The Zippers Clean

The zippers on your soft top or soft doors need to close tightly to help block sounds, wind, and rain from getting inside with you. When you first get your new top the zippers close perfectly and you do not have an issue with the sound. As time goes by you start to notice that the zippers do not want to close all of the ways and that annoying wind sounds are beginning to be a problem.

To stop this from becoming a problem for you buy zipper cleaner and zipper lube. Regularly use the cleaner to keep little particles of dust and dirt out of them. Tiny dust particles can lodge between the teeth of the zipper and stop it from sealing properly. The cleaner takes away those dust particles and leaves you with zippers that work like new.

Windshield Headers

To hold the windshield and soft-top assembly together there is a small header channel. If the smallest particle of dirt or dust gets lodged in the channel then the header and your top will not mesh together properly.

The result can be noise and leaks. Make certain your header channel is clean and debris free. You also want to replace this channel if you start to notice any deterioration like rust or corrosion.

Speed

When you are cruising along at a low speed then you will barely notice any sound from your soft top. If you increase your speed to more than 40 miles per hour then you will notice that the wind sounds also increase.

Small Tears

To maintain a quieter interior while driving with a soft top in place it is suggested that you do not drive down open highways at speeds greater than 40 miles per hour.

The smallest tear or puncture in the material of your soft-top can allow a wind channel to form. The wind will come through that small imperfection and sound like it is ripping through the material.

Check your top frequently for small tears or punctures, and if you find one be sure to repair it before it does become a large tear.

Missing Bows

If you have a soft top that came with bows make sure none of the bows are missing. The bows were not on the top just to make it look cute, they were actually holding pieces of the top securely together.

With the bows gone your top starts to sag in places and this allows the wind to maneuver it and manipulate it. If a bow is missing replace it as soon as possible to avoid damage.

Gaskets and Seals

The rubber gaskets and seals around windows and doors can break down over time and allow wind and moisture inside the vehicle. Check all rubber gaskets and seals to determine if they are damaged or starting to show signs of aging.

If your gaskets are extremely dirty clean them to make sure they can form the proper seal needed. If they are beginning to deteriorate replace them with new ones that can form the proper seal.

Reducing The Noise Inside Your Jeep

There are a few things that you can do to help reduce the amount of noise you hear while riding in your Jeep.

Install a Hardtop and Insulate It

If you install a hardtop on your Jeep the noise from outside is going to be reduced but not eradicated. To fully block the outside noises you need to install headliners on your hardtop. The headliners act as insulators and they help keep the noise out.

Headliners also make it easier to keep your Jeep warm or cool with the air conditioner and heater.

While you are thinking about insulation you should consider insulating the floor of the vehicle. The added insulation is a noise reducer. It also helps you maintain that comfortable temperature that you like when you are running the air conditioner or when you are trying to block that winter chill.

Another insulation that can be added goes around the side windows. This insulation stops wind noise and stops leaks that allow air from outside to blow into the vehicle.

It is possible to keep the hard top and the soft top. These vehicles are made so that you can customize and do things like taking the top off easily. You can decide at what times you want quiet and when you want fresh air and freedom.

Here’s a quick video on how to reduce wind noise

Install Full Doors

Half-doors are more fun to have when you are cruising on the beach or down the backroads. The half-doors give the vehicle the adventure look that you want it to have but they also increase the amount of noise you have to endure when you are driving down paved highways.

To increase the quietness inside the vehicle you should change over to full door enclosures. Luckily you drive a Jeep so anytime you want the freedom of the half-door you can easily change them back.

Another great noise reduction tip is to keep the factory-installed windows and doors. The factory-installed pieces are going to fit better and be quieter than the after-market items.

Change Tires

If you want to make the inside of your Jeep quieter you may have to choose to drive with tires made for paved streets. The aggressive mud and snow tires are very loud and noisy when they are driven over hard surfaces.

If you want quiet you will have to have street tires that are made not to whistle and sing as you drive.

Reduce the Baggage

Actually, what you are going to need to reduce is the gear and equipment located on the roof of the vehicle. Take those jerry-cans, high-lift jacks, and external gear off during the times you want quieter inside the cab.

You can store all of those things in your garage and just put them on the top of the Jeep when you are going adventure driving.

You are driving a vehicle that is meant to be used for off-road and adventure driving. All of those little extras that are useful when you are away from town can be wind catchers and noise makers when you drive in town.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Jeeps Are The Noisiest to Ride In?

The ones with soft tops and half doors.

How Do I Cut Down on The Cabin Noise Inside The Jeep?

Put on a hardtop and full doors, plus insulate with headliners and floor insulation.

Can You Have an AC in a Jeep with a Soft top?

Yes, the Jeep can have an air conditioner. The air conditioner will not be as effective in a Jeep with a soft top as it is in a Jeep with a hardtop.

Final Thoughts

The interior of a Jeep is not as quiet as the interiors of some luxury cars. The noise is caused because there is less insulation and the doors and roofs are lighter. We all love being able to remove our Jeep tops and doors and to make them easy to remove Jeep manufactures them to be light. The lighter door is not as thick so it does not dampen the sound as effectively. You will have some noise inside your Jeep but you can determine what level of noise is acceptable to you and make the changes to reduce it.

Jeep Wrangler Wind Noise