New horn installed

[gbryers]

Phew - just got done installing a new replacement horn - WOLO BadBoy *Harbor Freight - $39.95). The sucker is LOUD, and it covers both audio ranges (low and high, unlike the stock smart horn).

The directions for side-skirt removal can be found here:
How To: Side Skirt Removal

The directions for the front panel can be found here:
How To:Front Panel Removal

You don't need to remove the whole front end - just the driver's side. The panel will flex out of the way enough (and to spare) with the passenger side still hooked up.

The stock horn in mounted in front of the steel structural plate, the WOLO horn needs to mount behind the panel. It takes a little jiggling to get it there, but once there, no sweat.


Word of warning - the side-skirt is the toughest part of this mod - I would strongly advise having a second person around when you go to re-install the panel - it takes a bit of flexing, and constant pressure over the side clips, to get it on right. I had to bend like a pretzel to put my left knee, left forearm, etc. on enough of the panel to slide it into place.

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by gbryers

Word of warning - the side-skirt is the toughest part of this mod - I would strongly advise having a second person around when you go to re-install the panel - it takes a bit of flexing, and constant pressure over the side clips, to get it on right. I had to bend like a pretzel to put my left knee, left forearm, etc. on enough of the panel to slide it into place.

Is the second person there to take the picture of you bent like a pretzel. Now those are the kind of modification shots I like to see.

[Bum-bling-B]

You can mount it in front if you go ahead and finish pulling off the front end, the horn would then be pointing in the front direction (I'm saying this from experience, it's how I originally had mine mounted).

I timed pulling my front end yesterday. 6 MINUTES! This is of course with a person following me to take the screws and whatnots from me after I remove them, then another person unscrewing screws too. I know I could cut the 6 minute time too.

TIP - To reinstall the side skirts is VERY VERY easy. Unscrew those white clips off the car and then slide them in to their respective spots on the skirt. Insert the front of the skirt into the the slot on the front fender then line up the white clips that you attached to the skirt earlier with the screws that stick out from the car. One at a time working from the front to rear just give the outside of the skirt a solid hit where the clip is, the clip will then pop into place. It is much easier that way.

[jediknight36]

Is there somewhere on here that shows how to take off the panels or is it in the manual?

[SunDiego]

Originally Posted by jediknight36

Is there somewhere on here that shows how to take off the panels or is it in the manual?

Check out Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia and FQ101 : Smart Car Modifications for guides.

[gbryers]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Is the second person there to take the picture of you bent like a pretzel. Now those are the kind of modification shots I like to see.

Sorry - I just couldn't work the camera while I was balancing all the rest. We'll need an artist's conception for that. But part of it looked like this (I think it was the fourth attempt) "*&^%#&^%*(*&!!!!"

[gusfraga]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

TIP - To reinstall the side skirts is VERY VERY easy. Unscrew those white clips off the car and then slide them in to their respective spots on the skirt. Insert the front of the skirt into the the slot on the front fender then line up the white clips that you attached to the skirt earlier with the screws that stick out from the car. One at a time working from the front to rear just give the outside of the skirt a solid hit where the clip is, the clip will then pop into place. It is much easier that way.

I did it the other way and it took forever

[Bum-bling-B]

Originally Posted by gusfraga

I did it the other way and it took forever

No worries - first time I did it the other way too, I figured there had to be an easier way and I found it. I didn't think it up though, read it somewhere but I can't remember where so I can't give the rightful person credit for the idea - I will say it wasn't my idea but it does save an extraordinary amount of time.

[Arch]

There's no need to take all that stuff apart. As mentioned endlessly in other horn swap threads; remove left front wheel, a few inner fender liner fasteners, pull liner out of the way, reach in and swap horns. It's tight, but much simpler.

Arch

[SunDiego]

Originally Posted by Arch

There's no need to take all that stuff apart. As mentioned endlessly in other horn swap threads; remove left front wheel, a few inner fender liner fasteners, pull liner out of the way, reach in and swap horns. It's tight, but much simpler.

Arch

Some people can't/don't want to remove a wheel on the car themselves