Horn Upgrade
The next mod came from me wanting to upgrade my horn. I've always been intrigued with train horns, but really can't justify the cost and real estate they require for what seemingly little real world use that I'd actually get out of them. I began a search for a more economical replacement solution. Originally I was interested in the
Wolo 619 Big Bad Max Black 12V Air Horn Kit. The low price and fact that it was a consolidated unit with it's own built in compressor was intriguing. After reading some mixed reviews (apparently the early models had some diaphram issues), my research led me to the
PIAA 85115 Superior Bass Horn. The price was a little higher than the Wolo unit, but what intrigued me about this one was PIAA's quality, and the fact that it was a dual horn set-up like our stock ones, so the hope that it was a direct drop-in replacement. So I ordered them:
My intention was to do a nice little write up and review, maybe with install pictures and videos. I even downloaded a couple of apps that I was going to do some sound level and tone comparisons with.... but like all of my installs, I got rushed and lazy.
Anyway, so here are my thoughts:
Install: Super simple. Yes this is basically a drop in replacement. It took about 15 minutes start to finish. You basically remove the upper radiator shroud by pulling out the push pins and that gives you access to the horn mounts. You remove the entire mount from the upper radiator support (2 bolts, M12 socket I believe) as the new horns come with their own mount brackets. The factory horns have a nice little splash shield at the horn opening which the PIAA's don't.
DO NOT attempt to disassemble the PIAA horns in order to use any parts off of the factory horns. It's printed on the parts and instructions, because taking the thing apart will ruin the horn. Bolt the new ones up. Wiring the new ones is a little different as the new horns have two spade terminals (hot & ground) where as the factory horn just has a single connector. Still simple non-the less. The factory connector will actually push right on the positive terminal and the new horns come supplied with a length of wire with a female spade on one end and a ring on the other to find ground with. I grabbed mine from a nut right on the core support between where the horns mount (M10 socket). That's it.
Quality: Time will tell, especially with the horn being more exposed than the OEM's. PIAA has a good reputation in the industry though and these appear to be of great quality from my initial impression.
Performance: So the factory setup comes with a 500 Hz and a 400 Hz horn. This one comes with a 400 Hz and a 330 Hz horn. So truth be told, I don't see why you couldn't achieve the same result by sourcing an OE style horn spec'd for 330 Hz. To expect any gains in db, would be unrealistic as they're essentially the same style horn, driven by the same power source. Basically it just changes the horn to a "bassier" tone. Personally I don't know how I feel about them yet. They don't really seem to knock my socks off or anything. So I'll let you be the judge. While I didn't do everything I wanted to do, I at least did make some video for you folks.
Stock:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CfOfpgyv8-A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
PIAA:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/29Jhfrc5qXI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hope that helps somebody. If you have any questions just let me know.
Up next for me will be to install this cheap little PA speaker for my CB:
And to try to use this to mount my hi-lift jack. I'm thinking about bolting it to my speaker box to keep it protected from the elements and theft... We'll see:
Thanks for looking!
