Replacing Horn with PIAA sports Horn

nibble

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2020
Threads
47
Messages
1,255
Reaction score
1,141
Location
NJ
Car(s)
BMW, Honda, Toyota
Clown horn on Supra is... Weak... to say it in a nice way. it sounds like a clown horn and a modern bicycle horn might sound better. One main factor contributing to this is because it is a single horn design that produces monotonic frequency which is identical to a clown horn. So I decided to replace it while horn is exposed.

Typically, you will have to detach front bumper cover and headlight. However, if you can hire a very skillful RAM 5500 truck driver run you over in a very precise manner to crush open headlight and front bumper cover while parked. Drawback is, it may take you more than 2 months to get the car back. which is in my case, except I did not hire him. Hence I don't have information on detaching/attaching information of bumper cover and headlight.

Screen Shot 2021-10-03 at 11.26.04 AM.png


Here are few extra parts you might want to have.

- a set of nut and bolt. bolt size around 13mm.
- tapping connector.
- Electrical tape.
- Soldering tool or sturdy electrical connectors.
- Small zip ties to tuck electrical wiring.
- Tools...

So once you have your bumper cover detached, you will the the horn and its bracket attached to aluminum frame.

Screen Shot 2021-10-03 at 11.24.48 AM.png


so.. here's debate. there's only 1 torx screw holding the horn and its bracket. I was able to take it out without taking the headlight off but it would be much easier if head light was off. so pick your poison but if I had to do it again, I would chose to leave headlight because I don't want to adjust the headlight after re-attaching it.

Before removing the Torx screw, make sure to disconnect the horn. Once it is off, use 13 mm wrench to detach the horn from the bracket. Here's comparison of horns.
Screen Shot 2021-10-03 at 11.40.57 AM.png


And then survey how much room you have behind the frame. initially, I thought I would not have enough room to fit 2 horns. but after much wiggling around, I found some rooms. And roughly arranged horns with the stock bracket. See below for front and back. I was able to source the bolt that fit the nut from original horn but if you don't have 2 buckets of extra bolts from other project, it might be better to buy a matching bolt and nut that fits.

Screen Shot 2021-10-03 at 11.45.20 AM.png
Screen Shot 2021-10-03 at 11.44.51 AM.png


at this stage, bolt is snug enough to move around and then I test fitted to make sure it is positioned correctly. once I'm comfortable with fit, I made sure the bolt is tight.

Here's the wiring.
Screen Shot 2021-10-03 at 11.51.28 AM.png


PIAA Only supplied 2 strands of wire so I used connector on positive terminals and soldered the other connections.

After re-attaching the horn to the car with bracket, here's what I did to connect from original wire. instead of cutting the original wire, I used tapping connector. I also taped the connector to prevent dust and moisture to get in.

Screen Shot 2021-10-03 at 11.55.17 AM.png


as for sound... I will try to post comparison later. over all, It wasn't hard for me because I didn't have to deal with taking the bumper cover off. as far as sound goes, I think it sounds better than original horn. Is it louder? I'm not sure at the moment but it should provide more than 115 db.
Sponsored

 

B54

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bas
Joined
Feb 26, 2020
Threads
8
Messages
140
Reaction score
119
Location
Belgium, Europe
Car(s)
Supra Jarama Racetrack Edition
as for sound... I will try to post comparison later
Looks like a beefy upgrade. Currently having a FIAMM AM80S waiting to get installed.

Do you still have a sound clip for comparison? :)
 

B58_ hwAyaq

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
640
Reaction score
754
Location
Tampa, FL
Car(s)
2020 Supra, 2023 F150 Tremor
Thanks so much for the write up. I just completed this upgrade using your mounting and wiring as a reference. Sharing some photos for others who are thinking about this.

Notes:
  • I just took the two horns to Home Depot and sourced a nut, bolt, and two washers.
  • I grabbed 16 gauge wire, the connecters, and the posi-taps from Amazon.
  • The bolt holding the OEM horn mount is a T30, and it's in a hard to reach location. Make sure you have a low-ish profile T30 tool in order to do this without removing the headlight (easier to just buy the tool).
IMG_5591.jpg


IMG_5592.jpg

tempImagex7ckeV.png


tempImagerBesZt.png


tempImageXbLPQY.png


tempImagetC6gqm.png
 

PikkaGTR

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 28, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
431
Reaction score
939
Location
Bay Area
Car(s)
Zupra
Am I the only one that prefers and likes the horns?
It seems period correct and a throwback to the 90s
and it sounds, to me, more like a gentle " please sir, could you kindly move"
rather than the Clarkson " Get out of the way!" horns
 

J29DB03

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
1,647
Reaction score
3,065
Location
US
Car(s)
2021 Absolute Zero 3.0 Premium
Am I the only one that prefers and likes the horns?
It seems period correct and a throwback to the 90s
and it sounds, to me, more like a gentle " please sir, could you kindly move"
rather than the Clarkson " Get out of the way!" horns
That’s it! I’m installing a 600 Grosser horn.
 

B58_ hwAyaq

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
640
Reaction score
754
Location
Tampa, FL
Car(s)
2020 Supra, 2023 F150 Tremor
Am I the only one that prefers and likes the horns?
It seems period correct and a throwback to the 90s
and it sounds, to me, more like a gentle " please sir, could you kindly move"
rather than the Clarkson " Get out of the way!" horns
Well, the majority of the time I’m using my horn, it’s more like “stay in your lane, don’t f-in hit me”, so I’d prefer something less gentle.

Also, the stock horn is embarrassing if you’re the beeper for a race.
 

B58_ hwAyaq

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
640
Reaction score
754
Location
Tampa, FL
Car(s)
2020 Supra, 2023 F150 Tremor
Well, my upgraded horn stopped working. I’m guessing it’s either my wiring or a fuse went out.

Anyone know what fuse is associated with the horn?

Trying to eliminate scenarios before pulling my bumper off.
 

B58_ hwAyaq

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
640
Reaction score
754
Location
Tampa, FL
Car(s)
2020 Supra, 2023 F150 Tremor
UPDATE: My wiring corroded?!

My (upgraded) horn stopped working last December, but I haven’t gotten around to troubleshooting it until today. My wiring basically disintegrated.

I’m hoping someone with more electrical knowledge than me can tell me what happened and how to avoid it going forward. My theory is that the wire corroded in the one spot I didn’t cover with electrical tape 🤦‍♂️

I’m pretty sure my wiring mirrors that of OP’s (refer to my quoted images).

Later, I’m going to check if my OEM horn still works or whether this incident caused other issues. (Update: OEM horn works fine!)
IMG_8912.jpeg
IMG_8911.jpeg
 
Last edited:

B58_ hwAyaq

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
640
Reaction score
754
Location
Tampa, FL
Car(s)
2020 Supra, 2023 F150 Tremor
It's kind of hard to tell, but is that aluminum wire?
Lots of corrosion, I know.

It’s copper: GS Power 16 AWG (True American Wire Ga) CCA Copper Clad Aluminum Primary Wire. 25 ft Red & 25 ft Black Bundle. for Car Audio Speaker Amplifier Remote Hook up Trailer Wiring (Also in 14 & 18 Gauge) https://a.co/d/5o9QD7G
 

MrNobody

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2022
Threads
15
Messages
204
Reaction score
88
Location
Nowhere
Car(s)
Trdoffroad 4runner
Lots of corrosion, I know.

It’s copper: GS Power 16 AWG (True American Wire Ga) CCA Copper Clad Aluminum Primary Wire. 25 ft Red & 25 ft Black Bundle. for Car Audio Speaker Amplifier Remote Hook up Trailer Wiring (Also in 14 & 18 Gauge) https://a.co/d/5o9QD7G
CCA is aluminum wire with a copper coating. Just an fyi.
 

TYMBOM

Well-Known Member
First Name
CJ
Joined
Feb 19, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
287
Reaction score
350
Location
Alberta, Canada
Car(s)
A91, Trackhawk, Golf R
The problem is that moisture works its way up and inside the shielding. People use taps and call it a day. When ever exposing a wire, use liquid electrical tape to seal the insulation and wires.
Sponsored

 
 




Top