Calling all electricians!!

Hey guys,

I need some help installing some new aftermarket horns in my 2017 Tacoma SR5:

$40 HELLA 003399801 Supertone 12V High Tone/Low Tone Twin Horn Kit with Red Protective Grill, 2 Horns

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003399801-Supertone-High-Bracket/dp/B000CRZXPI

Do I need to use the relay included? I thought I read somewhere that the horn is fused at 10A. Reading on the site here I saw someone said these draw 12A (but I don't see that anywhere in the literature). If that is true, that would mean I have to use the relay, correct? If so can you provide a little explanation on how to wire it?

I am also wondering if there is some sort of connector I can make to connect to the factory harness so I don't need to cut any wires.

Thank you in advance!!!

 

If I'm not mistaken, supertones draw more current than the newer sharptones. I would use the relay.

Here's a thread with instructions for supertones
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hella-supertones-horns-install-guide.98465/

And a thread about installing sharptones
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...elay-free-splice-free-and-no-drilling.433020/

 

Supertones draw more than the stock horns so yes, you need a rely.

The yellow sharptones you can get away with a pair on your stock harness. You just need to make a wiring split like in the install link Camel89 posted above.

 

thanks guys. do you happen to know if I install the relay will I have to install a different button to get the horn to work, or will it still be controlled by the steering wheel?

 

You can install the horns without the relay. However, the relay will make them louder.

The way to make the setup work easily is to use spade connectors for the wiring harness. The stock horns should utilize female sapde connectors (if it's the same as in my old STi). Use male spade connectors to run your wiring from your stock horn connectors up to the relay (wherever you decide to locate it) and utilize female spade connectors to connect to the coil side of the relay. Then you can run a fused hot from the battery to the switch side of the relay and connect it to your Supertones.

Just be aware the Supertones are VERY loud. I ran them in my Subaru and while I did like them, I was always nervous that they're so loud/startling they could cause an accident rather than prevent one. I had someone cut me off and I leaned on the horn and instinctively they swerved on the wrong side of the road. It could have gone VERY badly.

I'm not saying it's a good or bad thing, just something to consider. I ultimately disconnected and sold mine for that reason.

 

Thank you all for the advice! I just installed them and they sound great! I almost returned them and bought the sharp tones because I've never wired a relay or anything like that. It was really not that hard to install the relay, and the best part about the install in my opinion was that this truck has empty machined out threads all over the place so I just went to ace hardware and got a few machine bolts and used them to mount the horns and relay - no drilling required!!

I love my Tacoma!!