Train Horns...

Thinking about getting a train horn kit for my Tacoma. I've heard a few of them and they sound awesome. I'd have it rigged up with a switch on the dash so I can toggle between my regular horn and the train horn.

Yeah, I know a cop could technically cite me for the excessively loud horn, but it's a nonmoving violation, and would only cost me $48 ($30 fine + $18 court costs), so I'm not too worried about it.

Anyone else here have one of these kits on your Tacoma? Thoughts? Recommendations?

 

Had one on my golf cart. most fun I had on the golf course.

 

I have heard a few. If you do it, go with the hornblasters kit. That's the best IMO. Check out their website, and their scare videos.

 

My roommate has one. Awesome! Scare the crap outta ppl on the highway

 

Where do you get kits for this type of stuff? Funny I was just thinking about getting one today

 

Anyone got one? install pics? whered u get it? how much? anyone?

 

I ended up putting one on my FJ and I am seriously considering putting one on the taco.

I looked a little, and at the time budgeted about $500 for OBA and the horns+air solenoid. I found a decent deal on ebay from some forgotten seller.

Mounted the air tank and compressor (viar 380c) under the rear of the truck. I did not have the tow package so I was able to use some pretty heavy duty mounting points to the frame. I made my own brackets (they kinda look like crap) and I ran a snorkel into the cab for a dry intake.


I did not want a long pop off valve or liked the way a petcock just hung down from the bottom of the tank, water buildup in the tank turned out to be no problem at all so I rarely took the bottom plug out to "drain the tank".


The horns were cheap, but they were real brass (some you may find are PVC) and it came with a nice 1/4" air solenoid that was compact. The horns were so compact, I was able to mount them inside the stock bumper cover. When powered, the compressor would turn on at 75psi and turn off at 120psi. The 380c would take about 2:45 to fill the 3L tank and about 0:30-0:45 to top off after a typical honk. I remembered the compressor really had a tough time from 90-120psi (the typical honk consumption) and I actually would not run it on 100+ degree days. I did submerge the 380 once on a crossing and it always ran fine... Though splash proof is not submersible and I was strongly advised not to submerge the air compressor. I would air down and air back up on my own air(285/70/17), but it was definitely a marathon for the little 380.

I too wired the stock horn switch to a discrete rocker switch of my own... on the relay 30= power wire from stock horn, 86=power wire from your own switch, 85=ground, 87a= stock horn, 87=air solenoid. That way, when your switch is on, you will close the relay and power from your stock horn button (when applied) will flow from 30 to 87. When the switch is off and the relay is open, power will flow from 30 to 87a...powering your stock horn.



True story... I had a cop pull me over after a good blast at bad driving (my only incident of neglect to the man when playing with the horn). I was able to hit the rocker switch with my knee and he asked me to honk my horn. I did... and then he asked me to step out of the vehicle. After about 5 minutes of him turning on and off all of my lights, compressor and grilling me about my OBA (pressure gauge in dash)... he left me scratching his head without a word.




If I were to do it again on the taco, I would go with horn blasters or some equivalent. The tone and the sheer loudness of the nicer systems really strike fear into ones heart.

Sorry its not tacoma specific, but the basic ideas are there.

 

That is so cool, and the fact the horns are hidden from plain sight. You make me want to do a nice clean and hidden installation. Tahnks for the photos and the true story.

 

Hm. What did you do about your spare tire? I've been thinking about putting a small tank behind the back wheel, inside that little cubby inside the quarter panel, but there isn't really anywhere to mount it. Where you have yours is perfect, but you have to remove the spare tire to mount it there. I have 2 horns I want to use, from one of our rigs, as well as an air compressor. All i'm missing is the mounted tank and the various fittings.

I suppose I could mount a small-ish tank under my toolbox but I only have 7" of clearance under it. Meh. Ideas?

 

It was an FJ.. spare was on the rear door.