Replacement Horn Suggestions

Leadman · April 27, 2011

So my stock horn went out after driving on the beach and getting some water into it. It was sounding like a sick cow for a week and then just failed.

I replaced it with a Wolo Bad Boy air horn, but I'm not happy with the sound. I like that it is an air horn and it is a little louder than stock, but the tone is too high and it sounds lame on the big truck.

Anyone found a good loud deeper sounding horn to replace this with? Yes I've seen the train horn videos and while they are fun to watch, I don't need that much power (or expense)!

On a related note, hopefully I'll have a barely used Bad Boy for sale soon

20Silverado11 · April 27, 2011

I'll be watching this thread because I've been thinking that the stock horn is a bit wimpy sounding.

SparkySparks · April 27, 2011

I've been wanting to replace my horn for a while now and like the train horns but they are a bit much (both loudness and cost wise) and the cheaper air horns are to high pitch for me. Lets hope someone has found a good upgrade to the factory horn.

j13smiley · April 27, 2011

another watcher.

i would like a train horn - but don't want to deal with compressor and tanks.

i do want a loud ass horn though!

GasHog369 · April 27, 2011

I guess i cant recommend any of my horns

carry on..

Rymanh24 · April 27, 2011

Also would like some info on horn replacement, the horn that comes stock on these trucks sound to wimpy.

Leadman · April 28, 2011

I guess i cant recommend any of my horns

carry on..

Yeah, your setup is what I had in mind when I said I enjoyed watching the youtube clips

This seems like a common complaint - somebody must have found a good replacement!

GasHog369 · April 28, 2011

What about just a small 1.5 - 2gal tank and a set of air horns?

BTW- my horns are loud ... but this is what i hope to have one day...

iminaquagmire · April 28, 2011

You could wire swap them out with some from an older car like a 70's Caddy. They had louder and deeper horns. Its a pretty popular swap and they can be had at a junkyard for usually a few bucks. Or you could get a truck horn instead of train horns. You don't have to have the whole compressor setup. Just a tank, some hose, a solenoid, and a switch of some sort. I plan on getting a Grover 1510, which is a fire truck horn.

GasHog369 · April 28, 2011

grover 1510 are awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8CPZ2TM8ts...feature=related

j13smiley · April 28, 2011

Or you could get a truck horn instead of train horns. You don't have to have the whole compressor setup. Just a tank, some hose, a solenoid, and a switch of some sort. I plan on getting a Grover 1510, which is a fire truck horn.

i could probably deal with the tank depending on where it could be mounted (along a frame rail?)... do you have any more details on a setup such as this???

GasHog369 · April 28, 2011

All you would need is a tank, airline, to go from tank to horn, and a solenoid. You wire the solenoid up and when you press the button, the gate opens and air blasts the horn. Now with no compressor , you would need to manually fill that tank up all the time. And it would have to be a complete 100% leak proof system or it would be a pain in the ass... My setup is almost perfect , but on cold nights where the temp drops, it will find the smallest of leaks and loose maybe 5 psi.

For info on horn setups, check out www.trainhornforums.com . Just because those are mostly train horn setups, you can learn a lot about plumbing your own system and making it leak free. Good bunch of people on there to help out. Also hornblasters has some great prices and service to back it up... You might be able to save a couple bucks on ebay , but good luck with them backing up the product. Hornblasters will back it up and the reps are on the site to help out also.