The factory horn on my truck is starting to sound pretty weak. The kids up the street always give the big rig signal for me to blow my horn when I drive by. I feel like I'm letting them down lol. Has anyone replaced their horn with an aftermarket one? I don't want a cheap air horn setup because they seem to sound more high pitched than anything. If you have an idea let me know!

 

Some horns have an adjustment, they are set for a 10 amp draw or whatever the spec is. Check the manual. Have to take the horn apart to see it. Might want to wear earplugs for this.

Good quality air horns are expensive. Some people really like 1950s Buick or Cadillac dual elements or whatever. I kind of want to get a genuine Ford "Ah-oogah" horn from the 1920s or 1930s, they aren't too expensive. I think they probably sound a little harsh with 12 volts though.

 

Electric Horns Big Rig Chrome Shop - Semi Truck Chrome Shop, Truck Lighting and Chrome Accessories

Have you been on this site?

 

I've never been able to get a horn to work right after it started crapping out. Just get you some nice Ford replacement ones.

And yeah cheap air horns do suck lol. My dad bought a set of the generic red plastic ones to replace failed factory horns and they sounded higher pitched than a Hyundai or other import stock horns.

 

Go down to the local pick and pull and find an old late 80's or early 90's full size Buick or a Cadillac. They've got the four note horns. Yes, there's four horns.

Wire them up with a set of relays (one relay can drive 2 horns). It'll sound like a train.

 

Advance Auto stocks replacement Horns. They have High and low so Figure out which one is bad or replace them both

 

Ok see I didn't realize there were more than one horn under there. I thought it was just one and it was just weak somehow but the more I use it the more I realize it just sounds like a tone missing. I imagine I can find the one pretty easily (just pop the hood and follow the sound) but where would a second be located? Are they usually right next to each other?

 

Yeah they're mounted together in the same place. Should be able to figure which one ain't working by disconnecting one at a time and listening.

If your new one(s) don't make any sound then try grounding the horn body to the mounting bracket with a jumper wire. Another user just had this problem recently when he replaced his horns.

 

You can always buy a replacement. Bought mine from Auto Barn.

 

Both are mounted on the back of the radiator support under the battery passenger side

 

Mine actually ended up being behind the radiator support on the driver's side. Maybe they were moved at some point. But all the wiring and loom looks factory. The loom is actually like a metal braided covering over the horn wires I guess so it doesn't cut through where it passes through the metal support. I was underneath there and tried jiggling the connector going onto the seashell horns, went back into the cab and pressed the horn... now neither are working lol. Maybe it's a bad ground? I can hear a click inside when I press the horn but no honk. I might just remove them both and get a set of those 4 note horns. There's plenty of room up front to mount them. I will probably use 2 relays (1 relay for 2 shells) to maximize the power going to them. Can I just use the factory wire going to the factory horns to trigger the relay from the steering wheel horn button? Then just wire the rest of the relay as normal? 1 wire to ground the relay. 1 power wire from the relay to the battery. 1 wire from the relay to two of the shells.

 

Sorry, I dont deal with bricks much if at all possible. OBSs are on passenger side

 

Give them a healthy shot of WD40, make sure it makes its way all the way inside. Bang on it a bit with a wood mallet or handle. Point away from face when testing (ask me how I know) Yes they need good ground. But, there's not much to go really wrong with them either.

 

Just replaced mine with two of these 142 dB monsters -- scared me to death when I first tried 'em!!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/390360151327?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82. DO NOT buy ANY "Highway Blasters" from Autozone; I can grunt louder...

 

This ought to get them out of your way...

Thunderbolt Series - 141P Train Horn Kleinn Train Horn Air Horn