New Fiamm Horn Install

[Titanpat57]

Well like a lot of guys Toyota's horn is just that....a toy.

This hopefully will help with a swap out of the Fiamm horns a few other guys have used here.

Overall this a simple, inexpensive fix to an annoying problem.

I have a Trail Edition, and it had one horn located on the drivers side.

The first step was to remove the plastic cowling allowing access to the horn/ Front of radiator area.

Gently push the fastners (almost like a pop)down holding the cowling in place, I then used my pocket knife to gently lift them and take them out. There were 13 in total

With the cowling off, disconnect the horn screw, and then the power lead snaps off and pulls out.

One picture shows all the parts laid out on the floor.

I used the bracket in the middle (directly under the hood latch 8"-10")to hold the horns, there was a hole already in the bracket which worked great, the original location would not fit two horns together.

Next I wired the the two horns, test fit the brackets, insureing the horns were pointed at about a 45 degree angle to the ground...don't want any water collecting in there.

I took a rat tail file and made sure the bracket and screw had a good groundMetal to metal). Installed a 3/8" bolt with washers, and tightend the whole mess down. I touched it up with a coat of clear spray.

Snapped the hot lead for the original horn onto the new blade connector, gave a wrap of electrical tape for protection, tested (worked!!....dont know how in the hell that happened....) and istalled the cowling back on.

One note..the clips seem a little tender, when I re-installed them I grabbed them by the outer edges and pushed gently down until the center button popped back up...then I kind of remolded them wih my fingers, popped them back in the holes, and pushed the center down till it locked....peice of cake.

 

[war07eagle]

Great writeup, I would like to add that
The SR5 only has one horn and installing the two new horns takes the creation of a simple harness to split power, no cutting is needed of the stock wires
and I used the couple of unused screws (ie screws already in the car through holes that hold nothing) on the top of the radiation support near the stock horns location, I also left the stock horns in place. The fiamms sound a lot better, like a real horn should

 

[harper7]

Thanks for taking the time for a great write up Titanpat57!

I bought some on Ebay last week .Are those the ones you have? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/El-G...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item45eda68d3a

My limited has 2 horns so it will be a little different. I drove down to the beach this week but will put them on when we get back Saturday.The funny thing about the OEM horns on the 5th's is they are the same horns on the 3rd generation 4Runners.My girlfriend still drives a 1998 4Runner Limited and we had a horn sound off .Almost exactly the same! Her's still gives the double meep meep everytime she sets and unsets the alarm which drives me crazy.I guess we did'nt get the Toyota horn retro joke!

 

[westwind77]

Great post! I know what my 1st 10' mod will be!

 

[Elton H]

ive heard storys about the 5th gen haveing crappy horns i see why now

 

[Titanpat57]

Thanks guys..my pleasure..lots more to come!

and a yes to Harper7..that's the horns and a great price to boot, I think I payed 30$ with shipping!

 

[4Funnr]

So, how much better is the sound? Does it sound deeper or is it just louder or both?

 

[4Funnr]

Great writeup, I would like to add that
The SR5 only has one horn and installing the two new horns takes the creation of a simple harness to split power, no cutting is needed of the stock wires
and I used the couple of unused screws (ie screws already in the car through holes that hold nothing) on the top of the radiation support near the stock horns location, I also left the stock horns in place. The fiamms sound a lot better, like a real horn should

Can you post pics of your horn mounting location? I like TitanPats write up but I don't know if I want the horns sitting right in front of my radiator visible through the front grille.

Also, why did you make a wiring harness? It doesn't look like TitanPat had to and his 4R also has a single horn.

 

[Titanpat57]

Been trying to figure out how to add a sound file so instead...I ended up with a link to a video of it. It compares the old and the other the new horn.

The new horn was just taken outside tonight.

I'm also including a picture of the front grill to show you that you can't dsee the horns. Their actually behind that black plastic peice that holds the front license plate. They point down and out of the bottom grill.

 

[4Funnr]

Thanks for the extra effort! It sounds good. I think I might look for something a little louder yet but ultimately may decide to go with the same setup.

 

[harper7]

I installed my Fiamm El Grande horns tonight in the stock locations. Pretty easy install and the definitely sound more manly and plenty loud at 130db!The Limiteds have 2 stock horns so it was plug and play.

I took the red plastic covers off the Fiamm's as they would have needed to be trimmed for the OEM clip-on connectors.They were just for looks anyways.Then wrapped the connectors tightly in black electrical tape so they can't come off as the originals had push clips to secure them.They sound pretty close to the 4th Gen. now .
Thanks to Titanpat57!
Here are a couple pics mine installed.
From Front/Top
<a href="http://s420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/2010%204Runner/?action=view&current=Picture069.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/2010%204Runner/Picture069.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
From Left Side/Top
<a href="http://s420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/2010%204Runner/?action=view&current=Picture065.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/2010%204Runner/Picture065.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
From Front Thru Grill
<a href="http://s420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/2010%204Runner/?action=view&current=Picture066.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/pp282/gharper60/2010%204Runner/Picture066.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[war07eagle]

For the person who asked, here is where I installed my horn, using the two vertical screws

also, if you have the SR5 you need to make the harness to wire up both horns, the Limited and (I think) the trails have two horns stock, so they are true plug and play, but the harness is easy to make

Sorry I am just too lazy to take my radiator cover off again

 

[doodman]

Great writeup, I would like to add that
The SR5 only has one horn and installing the two new horns takes the creation of a simple harness to split power, no cutting is needed of the stock wires
and I used the couple of unused screws (ie screws already in the car through holes that hold nothing) on the top of the radiation support near the stock horns location, I also left the stock horns in place. The fiamms sound a lot better, like a real horn should

as someone who knows nothing about electrical concepts or wiring, how do you make this simple harness for both FIAM horns on the SR5?

 

[Wild Fan]

I did a very similar install as Harper7 but managed to get both horns on one bracket.

The wiring assembly I used was about 12 inches of 18 gage wire, 1 male connector, and 2 female connectors. The male connector plugs into the connector removed from the stock horn and the two female connectors plug onto the new horns. I used a slightly larger gauge female connector for one of these and inserted two wires into the connector. One that has a male end to the supply connection plug (the connector removed from stock horn) and the other end a second female plug that connects to the second horn. These were all crimp connectors and simple to use. I did tape all connections to reduce water intrusion.

The wife was coming home and I rushed to finish and didn't think to take a finished photo. The horn now sounds normal, well worth the $22 and hour of work.

 

[war07eagle]

I did a very similar install as Harper7 but managed to get both horns on one bracket.

The wiring assembly I used was about 12 inches of 18 gage wire, 1 male connector, and 2 female connectors. The male connector plugs into the connector removed from the stock horn and the two female connectors plug onto the new horns. I used a slightly larger gauge female connector for one of these and inserted two wires into the connector. One that has a male end to the supply connection plug (the connector removed from stock horn) and the other end a second female plug that connects to the second horn. These were all crimp connectors and simple to use. I did tape all connections to reduce water intrusion.

The wife was coming home and I rushed to finish and didn't think to take a finished photo. The horn now sounds normal, well worth the $22 and hour of work.

I did the same thing, but i think I used 16 gauge, its not bad even if you know nothing about electrical stuff

 

[bobk3333]

I have a Trail Edition, and it had one horn located on the drivers side.

I also have a Trail Edition, but I have two horns that came with the car. They are far apart on each of the far sides, near the corners headlights; not in the middle like some of the pictures that show horns placed where the stock horns were previously located.

I wonder why the horn configurations are so different?

Also, each of the El Grander horns draws 5amps and there is a 10a fuse for the horns -- did you use relays or replace the fuse? Thanks.

 

[war07eagle]

I used the stock fuse and just threw away the relay, you dont need it to use the fiamm horns

 

[clemson4rnr]

I installed mine on my SR5 last night...What a difference! Wiring the two horns wasnt a problem at all.

Why on earth would toyota ever put that bike horn in a 4Runner in the first place?!?!?

 

[Titanpat57]

I have a Trail Edition, and it had one horn located on the drivers side.

I also have a Trail Edition, but I have two horns that came with the car. They are far apart on each of the far sides, near the corners headlights; not in the middle like some of the pictures that show horns placed where the stock horns were previously located.

I wonder why the horn configurations are so different?

Also, each of the El Grander horns draws 5amps and there is a 10a fuse for the horns -- did you use relays or replace the fuse? Thanks.

lol...that is kinda weird we can have so many different configurations?!

Thanks War07eagle for posting your pics and helpful info!!

 

[shawn719]

Well like a lot of guys Toyota's horn is just that....a toy.

This hopefully will help with a swap out of the Fiamm horns a few other guys have used here.

Overall this a simple, inexpensive fix to an annoying problem.

Titanpat57,
Thanks for the post/pics!
Did the relay come with the horns or is that from the OEM horn? Thinking of tackling this soon (embarrassed to honk the OEM in SR5). Looking t your post it seems as easy as swapping out OEM for the new ones, right?

Thanks
S