Simple Horn Mod
#1
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Simple Horn Mod
Well, it is official. I have done the first mod to my 4Runner. I purchased two Fiamm Freeway Blaster Horns (like the ones Corey used in his Tech Write-Up). They have the low and the high tone horns at PepBoys for $15, but I happend to get mine at the local Harbor Freight for $9.99 each!! $20 plus tax is the total cost. They must have changed the horn though. The new ones are not polarity sensitive. No Relay, no extra wire, no nothing. That made the mod a simple 15 minuite affair. I did wear hearing protection though, just to keep from knocking myself over if the things did blast while installing.
1. Take the old horns off.
2. Clip the ends off and crimp on the included Female Spade Connector.
3. Assemble the horns and install them on the included bracket in the location of the original horns, using the original bolt and washer.
4. Done.
I love the sound, the price and the time involved. This is a must do.
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Central MA
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is the model number(s) of the horns at Pep Boys? So both horns fit in the stock location? Do you have a .wav file you could share for the sound?
Got pics of the install, setup?
Got pics of the install, setup?
Last edited by Plamar; 08-18-2003 at 03:34 PM.
#3
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Seattle
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What kind of sound do you get out of these newer model horns? If it really is as easy as you say they I'll definitely be trying them out. I don't know what your 3rd gen horns sound like but I'm embaressed to hit my horn for fear of being mistaken for a van full of girlscouts.
#4
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the air trumpets you find everywhere and I love them! The first week after I put them on I was looking for all sorts of excuses to use them
Definitely doesn't give off the "cut me off and I'll protest like a baby with no teeth" sound
#5
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I want to replace my horns also. It's bad when your girlfriend says your horn sounds more like the Roadrunner beeping than a horn blowing. Anyone got sound clips or some recommended models? Later.
Matt
Matt
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Parker, Colorado
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought a "low" tone horn from schucks kragen, and it made no difference whatsoever. So when I have some time, I am going to find a junked cadillac and rip out its horn. One from the 80's. They sound like trains!
#7
Contributing Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: spokane, wa
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i work for the railroad , and i wish i could get my hands on some train horns ( or a whistle as we call them ) they are so damn loud , but the compressor needed to touch them off would be too much oh well .
airrikk17
airrikk17
Trending Topics
#8
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have heard Peter's (Tacoma Dude) horns and they sound great. As far as I know I do not have the ability to record the sound of mine. These do not sound like trains, they just sound like pretty loud (132db) domestic car horns. I just ran out and took some pics. But the site I use to post them is not working right now.
I will post when they are up...
I will post when they are up...
#10
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay, finally:
Here is the close up of a horn installed. The bracket comes with the horn, The lead on the left is the original wire with the stock terminal clipped off and the two wires (one from power and the other going to the second horn) crimped into the supplied female blade terminal. The lead on the right is the supplied jumper that grounds the horn when it is bolted to the body.
Here is the packaging, and some of this varies, but the part numbers are the same: Low Note Horn
Hi Note
Here are the horns installed in my 3rd generation 4Runner.
Here is the close up of a horn installed. The bracket comes with the horn, The lead on the left is the original wire with the stock terminal clipped off and the two wires (one from power and the other going to the second horn) crimped into the supplied female blade terminal. The lead on the right is the supplied jumper that grounds the horn when it is bolted to the body.
Here is the packaging, and some of this varies, but the part numbers are the same: Low Note Horn
Hi Note
Here are the horns installed in my 3rd generation 4Runner.
#11
Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Solano Co, CA Originally a North Idaho Hick
Posts: 4,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh yes nice mod I have a different model of the FIAMMs and I have them wired in series with my stock horns.. People look when I lay on the horn
#12
Registered User
Skyrat,
Thanks, I needed another mod to add to my list.
Does it sound like Peter's (Tacoma Dude) horns? I heard his when he drove off on Sunday morning as he honked and left. From what I could hear, they were pretty loud and "airy" as opposed to "European tin-ny" like my Hellas.
Bob
Thanks, I needed another mod to add to my list.
Does it sound like Peter's (Tacoma Dude) horns? I heard his when he drove off on Sunday morning as he honked and left. From what I could hear, they were pretty loud and "airy" as opposed to "European tin-ny" like my Hellas.
Bob
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Martha's Vineyard Island, MA
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2002 model
If someone is describing the sound of the horns on the 2001 is like the roadrunner in the cartoon then I believe they changed the horns for 2002. The horns in my '02 are totally different than the ones I had in my '99; they sound more like those of most American cars and they are very loud.
#15
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bob,
I would say Peter's sound more "airy" and are a little higher pitched. These sound a bit more like a conventional domestic car horn and pretty loud. I know I am happy. Dana would laugh any time I had to hit the stock horn in my 2000.
I hope the 2002 horns ManyMods talked about were changed. It shows Toyota heard the cry over the weak "meep, meep" ones.
There are probably some other ways to go here. I was ready to do Air Horns, but this is a good way to improve without having to look for additional space under the hood. I was happy I could do it before going to work Monday Morning. Sounded especially nice in the parking structure at work too!
I would say Peter's sound more "airy" and are a little higher pitched. These sound a bit more like a conventional domestic car horn and pretty loud. I know I am happy. Dana would laugh any time I had to hit the stock horn in my 2000.
I hope the 2002 horns ManyMods talked about were changed. It shows Toyota heard the cry over the weak "meep, meep" ones.
There are probably some other ways to go here. I was ready to do Air Horns, but this is a good way to improve without having to look for additional space under the hood. I was happy I could do it before going to work Monday Morning. Sounded especially nice in the parking structure at work too!
#16
Glad you got them installed SkyRat.
Do they sound like the vid on my website in the vids section?
That vid is very old, and one day I will update it without the CD player cranking out tunes in the background.
The vid was made about 3 to 4 years ago I think.
They are rally loud, and the vid does not do them justice.
Do they sound like the vid on my website in the vids section?
That vid is very old, and one day I will update it without the CD player cranking out tunes in the background.
The vid was made about 3 to 4 years ago I think.
They are rally loud, and the vid does not do them justice.
#17
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah Corey,
I would say they sound the same as your's do here .
I think they changed the horns so that they are not polarity concious. Mine did not need the relays or any parts not included. Just a cutter and crimping tool.
Thanks for the idea and inspiration to change those out.
I would say they sound the same as your's do here .
I think they changed the horns so that they are not polarity concious. Mine did not need the relays or any parts not included. Just a cutter and crimping tool.
Thanks for the idea and inspiration to change those out.
#19
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 8,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, I find that the airy-freight-train-ish sound doesn't give you a middle ground.
Works great when someone cuts me off or inadvertantly (or purposely?) tries to kill me.
For simple things like a courtesy "hey, the light is green" or "I'm outside waiting for you and it's 7-8 in the morning" it's a bit much.
*honk*
Works great when someone cuts me off or inadvertantly (or purposely?) tries to kill me.
For simple things like a courtesy "hey, the light is green" or "I'm outside waiting for you and it's 7-8 in the morning" it's a bit much.
*honk*
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Martha's Vineyard Island, MA
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Originally posted by SkyRat
......
I hope the 2002 horns ManyMods talked about were changed. It shows Toyota heard the cry over the weak "meep, meep" ones.
......
......
I hope the 2002 horns ManyMods talked about were changed. It shows Toyota heard the cry over the weak "meep, meep" ones.
......