Tutorial: Replacing the factory horn

[pineforrest]

thank you for the info WOLO it is!

[JimDantin]

I'm getting one from JC Whitney.
Wolo BAD BOY ONE-PIECE DUAL TONE AIR HORNS AND HEAVY-DUTY COMPRESSOR COMBINATION : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

I purchased a Smartgauge II from them and it came with a $50 gift certificate, so the horn will be free!
SCAN GAUGE II FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 1996 : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

[JimDantin]

I received the horn and completed the installation using a variation of jonnysan's method.

I removed the hood so it wouldn't get scratched. I did NOT remove the wheel -- I just cranked it full left. I did pull back the wheelwell liner -- that is critical to getting the old horn out and the new horn in.

Connecting the wiring and lining up the mounting bolt was a MAJOR pain. My right hand and wrist are swollen from getting scraped by the engine coolant reservoir. No stitches or significant blood loss, however.

The Wolo Bad Boy horn fits VERY snugly into the space previously occupied by the OEM horn. The new mounting bolt fits perfectly in the horn bracket. I struggled for around 30 minutes to line up the bolt head and the horn's bracket. I was working alone -- get a helper with small hands and it will go MUCH easier.

The results were worth the pain, but removing the panels would make the job much easier.

[2smartArizona]

I compared my Stebel and recently purchased Wolo and can see no difference in them at all. They even have the same markings on the plastic that the compressor fits into. Only difference is the plastic covers on the trumpets. I would venture that they come off of the same assembly line.

You should never need a relay on a car, but when installing them on a motorcycle, you nearly always need the relay.

I'll try and get the Wolo through the wheelwell next week.

[JIM VINYARD]

WOLO - BAD BOY AIR HORN can be purchased through Harbor Freight Tools. Part Number SKU#94117 they stock this item and have it on special most of the time .

[tlucker]

Just did a self install of the compact Italian air horn. I went with the black
compact model. The horn retails for $39.99.

I used the through the driver wheel well method. Thanks to all who have posted on this subject. It's good to get everyone's perspective before getting it done. Did it without jacking up the vehicle. Luckily I had a mechanically inclined neighbor to help. Used 13 mm to get the nut off the bracket.

One trick - using the mounting bolt set up from the manufacturer, took a zip tie to keep the assembly together. Pulled it tight and then nipped it flush. Didn't have to worry about the bolt coming off as it was guided through the wheel well. Definitely easier as a two person job - especially if one has thin hands. Neither one of us had that though - but not too bad a struggle.

The wiring just snaps on and that part is a breeze.

[mvaldes]

Ok, it warmed up to 30 today, so I figured it was time to put in the new horn. After all, it’s only a 20- 30 minute job. Wrong! Well, at least not for me the first time around. Probably it would take about 30-45 minutes the next time.
First, get a couple spare nuts for the bolt that comes with the horn. It’s only .30 and if you drop your only one (yes, I did), it saves a trip to the hardware store.
Then, take off the old horn (13mm socket or wrench) and disconnect the wires and let it drop down to be retrieved later. (The factory bracket that remains will work great for mounting the Bad Boy.) I put the bolt thru the hole and put the nut on it since I was planning on mounting it where Smart described, behind the bracket, so I put the nut was on that side. The new horn won’t fit in from above, so turn the wheels to the left and pop out the 3 plastic expansion retainer things. Now you can fold the splash shield enough to retrieve the old horn and insert the new one. Put it in upside down, then you can see to make the electrical connections (remember, brown is ground) and save yourself having to spend more time maneuvering in a tight space (yes, I learned that the hard way.) Before you turn it over, pull up the factory bracket from the old horn about an inch. (First I tried mounting the new horn on the bracket in it’s original position and there really wasn’t enough clearance to get it tight. This is because there wasn’t enough height, so there was a slight tilt to the horn and, after tightening it, when I tested to be sure it was secure, off it came.)
Turn the new horn over and hang it on the nut you put through the bracket. (Test that it works to be sure you didn’t accidentally pull loose the connections. I didn’t but you never know.) Tighten the bolt, it’s close quarters, I found a 7” channel lock good for the initial tightening, and a 13mm wrench to give it a good seating. (If I’d had a longer 13mm or 1/2’ wrench, it might have been fine for the whole process. Retrieve any dropped tools by pulling the bottom of the splash shield toward you and then re-insert the plastic fasteners. Put the “bonnet” back on and you’re done.

[mrc59]

This is my next mod once the temp warms some. Can't wait. A tiny car with a tiny horn is bothering me. I'll opt for a tiny car with a big horn!

[theguywiththelongestname]

i think i really want to do this mod also, the Stebel Nautilus sounds great!

[bob/cathy]

Fantastic. Bought the same ones ,from the same company,for our black,69, 911E,when we lived in Ilinois.They are loud. Glad the company is still around,and when we get the call,Passion,is in,will order our safety equipment for it.
Great post.