Horn Upgrade

[Ike582]

I just installed the 08522-B1010 replacement horn and it sounds WAY better. As others have noted, it's a 15 minute installation, totally plug and play.

 

[Torin]

Can we all agree that even the premium horn sounds like it belongs in the car that Urkel drove in Family Matters? I have purchased 3 different horns now and the first set didn't work, and the next two (sets of 2 horns) were not a lot better.
I have noticed that there is only a single wire going to each horn so I assume that it is grounded to the frame with the bolt that holds it on.
I would love to something just short of an actual train horn but I am not very electrical wiring savvy. I would love to just go to the junk yard and fine a horn out of any 1970's vehicle, but they all seem to have 2 wire +and - terminals.

 

[EOD Guy]

Can we all agree that even the premium horn sounds like it belongs in the car that Urkel drove in Family Matters? I have purchased 3 different horns now and the first set didn't work, and the next two (sets of 2 horns) were not a lot better.
I have noticed that there is only a single wire going to each horn so I assume that it is grounded to the frame with the bolt that holds it on.
I would love to something just short of an actual train horn but I am not very electrical wiring savvy. I would love to just go to the junk yard and fine a horn out of any 1970's vehicle, but they all seem to have 2 wire +and - terminals.

I don't share your opinion about the premium horn, mine sounds fine.

Most two wire horns (+& -) are just that. Older models had an "accy" hot (12v) connected to the horn and used a ground through the horn button to complete the circuit. With today's electronic gismos you would need to put a multimeter on the single wire and verify it's hot when the horn button is pressed ( I'm 99% sure it is) Then add a neg pig tail from the horn to any ground point, one of the mounting bolts should work fine.

 

[Ike582]

The stock horn is just terrible. For those of a certain age, the sound is is all too familiar.
Meep Meep

 

[Torin]

I don't share your opinion about the premium horn, mine sounds fine.

Most two wire horns (+& -) are just that. Older models had an "accy" hot (12v) connected to the horn and used a ground through the horn button to complete the circuit. With today's electronic gismos you would need to put a multimeter on the single wire and verify it's hot when the horn button is pressed ( I'm 99% sure it is) Then add a neg pig tail from the horn to any ground point, one of the mounting bolts should work fine.

Thanks for that, and the quick response. I will look into it and see if I can find one that will work and sounds like a 72 Nova.

 

[ultane]

Can we all agree that even the premium horn sounds like it belongs in the car that Urkel drove in Family Matters? I have purchased 3 different horns now and the first set didn't work, and the next two (sets of 2 horns) were not a lot better.
I have noticed that there is only a single wire going to each horn so I assume that it is grounded to the frame with the bolt that holds it on.
I would love to something just short of an actual train horn but I am not very electrical wiring savvy. I would love to just go to the junk yard and fine a horn out of any 1970's vehicle, but they all seem to have 2 wire +and - terminals.

Welcome to the asylum Torin.

 

[sandoverlander]

What is the ampere limit for the horn? I bought an air horn with a small compressor.

 

[ultane]

What is the ampere limit for the horn? I bought an air horn with a small compressor.

I think that with those air horns that use a compressor, you will need to hook up a relay for the higher current draw needed for the compressor.

 

[EOD Guy]

I think that with those air horns that use a compressor, you will need to hook up a relay for the higher current draw needed for the compressor.

100%

 

[rschoi_75]

Can we all agree that even the premium horn sounds like it belongs in the car that Urkel drove in Family Matters? I have purchased 3 different horns now and the first set didn't work, and the next two (sets of 2 horns) were not a lot better.
I have noticed that there is only a single wire going to each horn so I assume that it is grounded to the frame with the bolt that holds it on.
I would love to something just short of an actual train horn but I am not very electrical wiring savvy. I would love to just go to the junk yard and fine a horn out of any 1970's vehicle, but they all seem to have 2 wire +and - terminals.

The PIAA 85115 Superior Bass Horn set is a good option if you want something lower in tone than the Toyota premium horn. The horns are 330hz/400hz vs 400hz/500hz on the low/high horns.

https://www.amazon.com/PIAA-85115-Superior-Bass-Horn/dp/B0060ZB43G

+ Toyota wiring adapter:

Amazon.com

 

[DuckNuggets]

The PIAA 85115 Superior Bass Horn set is a good option if you want something lower in tone than the Toyota premium horn. The horns are 330hz/400hz vs 400hz/500hz on the low/high horns.

https://www.amazon.com/PIAA-85115-Superior-Bass-Horn/dp/B0060ZB43G

+ Toyota wiring adapter:

Amazon.com

I'm happy with mine. Didn't use an adaptor though. I reused the oem horn bracket to give it more space for install.

 

[GrayBeard]

If you think the horn tone is too high, you can start slowing down a bit just before you honk.