Finally!!! Air Horn Install Done!

[Sregorb]

After a WHOLE lot of planning, surveying, drawing schematics, measuring, at least two trips to home depot, and WAAAAAAAAY too much procrastination I finally finished the

Grover Air Horn, Tank, Air Compressor install today!!!

and what's even more impressive to me is that it works exactly how I wanted it to work first time!



How good does it work, you ask? Let's just say that I am now banned from EVER using the horn anywhere near the house again (driveway, neighborhood, and first main street included).





Anyway, just wanted to share. Now to install a topper... .....



Brian

 

[Kurz82]

Do you have any pictures for this install? I'm interested in air horns also! tia

 

[Sregorb]

Sure! Lots. Just gimme some time to get them developed, scanned and posted... . I'd love to share the good, the bad, and the ugly (only one self induced stupidity problem encountered)about this install.

:--)



Brian

 

[JES]

Frendly warning

If you used the stock mounting bracket on the horns you will want to ck it in a couple thousand miles to see if it is still tight. Mine came loose and I almost lost the horns. Also you will want to keep a sharp eye on the air tank. It too can work loose and the studs break off leaving you with wholes in the tank. You'll know that trouble has started if you can't get the compressor to shut off after a couple of minuets when you start your truck for the 1st time each day.

One more word of warning. Don't come up to some jerk in a car, especially an old lady in a small car, get on the air horns and expect to see that car move. 95% of the time all you get is the deer in the headlights look. Once in a while you get them to drive through the intersection against the red light.

One closing caution, Big Dudes on Harley's seem to take offense easily and often carry both guns and attitude so I recommend you honk at your own risk, depending on your NRA stance. :{

 

[BarryG]

Brian:

Can't wait to see the install. Wanting to do it myself. Have missed you the last couple of local events. Will you be at Bandimere in July? By the way the article turned out well in the mag. Have you talked to Layne lately about his rear bumper? May have to give him a call to see whats up with that.

 

[Sregorb]

Barry

Thanks! Can't wait to show the install off, I had to make some adjustments and change plans midstream so it'd be interesting to hear others opinions on just how weird I am. LOL!



I'll send ya a PM tonight about the rest and latest.





JES,

Point taken. I think the purpose of this is more for the complete moron that decides to test the stopping power of the CTD ABS. Next would be the ability to air up/down while out four-wheeling. Inflating the kids toys at the family swim doesn't hurt either (or I should say won't hurt anymore, hehe). Finally, the horns are just icing on the cake

And I swapped out the mounting bolts for some grade 8 bolts since the supplied ones weren't long enough so no harm there.





Brian

 

[rubberneck]

Where did you mount your tank and horns?? What kind of compressor did you use? and where did you mount all the controlls? (pressure switch etc etc. ) thanks in advance.

 

[Sregorb]

OK pics are developed, I'll scan them in at first chance (not til Sun)and post all the relevant info... .

But... . til then here's a quick version.



Parts ordered from www.ricksontruck.com subcategory airhorns-truck horns



Dual Horns- #1609 with install kit #2591. Additional tubing and quick connects from Home Depot.



Tank mounted from top, on passenger side, outside frame rail, inside indentation where rear right bracket of passenger seat bolts thru floor.



Horns attached to L-shaped shield and hidden inside passenger side Denver Off-Road Bumper chamber (read resonating chamber ).



Compressor mounted in underseat storage area (rear seat) next to jack.



2 Toggle switches control system. One gives ability to cutoff air compressor. Other selects stock horns or stock horns+air horns. Activated by stock steering wheel button.



I'll scan and post the schematic I made too.



WARNING, there apparently is one major drawback to this project. I've found myself actually hoping someone would pull out in front of me just so I can test the setup again and again. Hasn't happened yet... ...



Brian

 

[Sregorb]

Ok bear with me as I try and actually post a pic here...

First one is from floor looking up toward passenger side frame rail.

 

[Sregorb]

OK that worked so here's next. This is of rear bumper where quick connect added to bottom of trailer plug connector box. Also notice LED strobes on bumper.

and. . uh... the fine protective coat of grime on the vehicle... .

 

[Sregorb]

Next the underseat storage area holding the air compressor. This was my concession in that I wanted to put it under the hood following Fritz's install method but found that it would NOT fit without some battery box modifications so I opted to go here instead and put up with the expected loud noise. To my pleasant surprise, if the truck is running, I can not hear it running. If the vehicle is off it's just a soft hum. Very happy with that and I'm hoping the cleaner air it's breathing can relate to longer life for both compressor and filter.....

 

[Sregorb]

Next is looking straight down on passenger side toward stock horns. You can't see much other than just a wire tap off existing stock horns (bright blue) to determine whether or not the honk relay gets the signal. Stock horns did not need to be moved and wire routing/taps were rather clean, especially after the after-this-pic wirewrap fest I had.....

 

[Sregorb]

Next, side of vehicle with front right tire in partial view. The alum "box" tucked inside bumper shrouds horns. Far side of "box" is the solenoid screwed into horn base. They sit one bell on top of the other with the longer one on top. They have a downward tilt to keep water and dirt out of the flutes.

 

[Sregorb]

oops trying again... .

 

[Sregorb]

same as last only closer and clearer..... more upward view... .

 

[Sregorb]

View of tank mount viewed from front of vehicle facing rear and low. This shows the top indentation that helps to recess the tank upwards.

 

[Sregorb]

Lastly, I wanted to get a pic of the toggle switches in the cab but ran out of film (I HAVE to get me a digital camera! and soon!) but all I did was run 1" plastic sheathing from the firewall along console and drop it between transfer case plastic and the front console plastic into a Radio Shack project box that fits perfectly on the floor. It has all my standard, replaceable switches that control off-road lights, the strobes, backuplights, and now the air compressor cutoff and the stock/stock+airhorn switch... .

Questions, comments, concerns???

I'll throw the home-made schematic I was working off of in also as soon as I can... ...



Brian

 

[Sregorb]

OK, the schematic didn't turn out well, but I'll try it anyway. If anyone wants a MUCH better scan- PM me and I'll email you a copy. But anyway, as promised.....



Brian

 

[Sregorb]

Uh... didn't mean to make everyone speechless!



Brian

 

[R-N-R]

Brian,



Awesome job! I don't think you left any questions unanswered.



Bill