air horns & upfitter switch
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
air horns & upfitter switch
There is tons of info on air horns, thanks all, but I haven't found the answer to this. How would I use one of the factory upfitter switches to control which horn (factory or air) is powered when steering wheel horn pad is pressed. I wish to be able to toggle back & forth as to which horn is controlled. Best as I can tell I will need another relay, that's fine, but how to wire? Also keeping in mind that keeping the factory horn chirp with remote function would be nice & also that upfitters are only ignition on hot. Thanks.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 25
From: Hooterville, WI
I like to switch the positive side so I'd wire it this way.
30: + from horn button
85: + from upfitter switch
86: - Ground
87: + to air horn solenoid
87a: + to factory horn
This way you don't have wires running back and forth that are constant hot. I worry about wires rubbing through and shorting out.
30: + from horn button
85: + from upfitter switch
86: - Ground
87: + to air horn solenoid
87a: + to factory horn
This way you don't have wires running back and forth that are constant hot. I worry about wires rubbing through and shorting out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: Here and there
I'll make this real simple for you. just go behind you fuse pannel and find the horn wires. pull the fuse and test the wire to see which one goes hot. one you find that out cut the other one. take the one coming off the fuse pannel extend it so it will reach a dual pole switch. put that wire to the center of the switch. Now reconnect the other side of the cut wire to one side of the switch and the other side goes to your air horn valve. now you can switch between the two horns. That is how I have mine and have had no problems. I even have a second dual pole wired in to switch between my air horns and my whelen power horn. Its the least complicated way to do it.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 2
From: Dunwoody, GA
I'll make this real simple for you. just go behind you fuse pannel and find the horn wires. pull the fuse and test the wire to see which one goes hot. one you find that out cut the other one. take the one coming off the fuse pannel extend it so it will reach a dual pole switch. put that wire to the center of the switch. Now reconnect the other side of the cut wire to one side of the switch and the other side goes to your air horn valve. now you can switch between the two horns. That is how I have mine and have had no problems. I even have a second dual pole wired in to switch between my air horns and my whelen power horn. Its the least complicated way to do it.
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: Here and there
True about the key fob horn thing but you get more attention with an air horn honk then the "duck" sound. I was giving him another option to think about and you can hide that dual pole switch anywhere within reach. If I did not have to worry about DMV inspections and blowing my horn for them I would just get rid of my stock horn all together.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 25
From: Hooterville, WI
Mine was +, but I don't have upfitter switches, 01 F350. That, and instead of running a wire from the cab I broke the + lead at the horn. Maybe the factory uses their own relay for the horn where the horn button would be - but the at the horn itself it's the + that ends up switched.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
