Kingman Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I picked up an air horn from my buddy yesterday for $15. It came right off a Freightliner semi truck and runs on 35-125 psi, and by God it's functional. Now my question is how can I hook up a control for it? I know I need an air tank and the only place I can mount it is on my roof. For anyone who's taken the headliner out, how much room is there between the sheet metal and the headliner? Would there be a way to run an air line to the horn between there? I think I've seen 90 degree air hose fittings that maybe I could just screw into the bottom of the horn and have the air line run from that, instead of just the air line and having to bend the line to make the angle. I'd also like to have it be an electronic control so I can just mount a switch in my center console or lower dashboard. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPathyGo Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Oh man, I love those things. I could never figure out where to put them but your roof pic just gave me an idea. Can't tell from the pic but is there any way to fender mount it ? Wouldn't have to worry about ripping it off on the trail or in an underground garage or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 I looked all over but it's just too damn long. There's no where under the hood for it, sadly. Maybe I can find somewhere underneath to stick it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magregor Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 That is AWESOME!!! Imagine blowing that at an old lady/man on the highway! It would scare the hell outa them! If you had a safari rack, you could mount it to the side of it, like below a shovel or high-boy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSlowReliable Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 (edited) on the note of electronic usage- You could try a electric solenoid actuator, I think this would do what you need as long as you can get one for your needs via ebay...and just wire that to a toggle switch and have it running in the line in between the tank and the horn. On another note, you would probably want what is called a momentary switch instead of say a toggle switch so you can bump it and not have to worry about leaving it on or something....heres one from radioshack http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...tab=custRatings If your looking for a cheap tank, wallymart sells 30 dollar 7 gallon air tanks that have served my needs wonderfully! Edited September 14, 2009 by OldSlowReliable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magregor Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I suppose you could just use a cheap 'ol emergency pump that plugs into your cig lighter for tires to refill the tank as well! That would save some sort of compressor hook-up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 (edited) on the note of electronic usage- You could try a electric solenoid actuator, I think this would do what you need as long as you can get one for your needs via ebay...and just wire that to a toggle switch and have it running in the line in between the tank and the horn. On another note, you would probably want what is called a momentary switch instead of say a toggle switch so you can bump it and not have to worry about leaving it on or something....heres one from radioshack http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...tab=custRatings If your looking for a cheap tank, wallymart sells 30 dollar 7 gallon air tanks that have served my needs wonderfully! Definitely worth looking into. I'm still looking around for an electronically actuated air valve that I can trigger with the button. My buddy that I bought this from, his old Yota SR5 had a small air horn hooked up under the hood that actually had a small compressor and tank built in! It was nuts, and the best part was the switch was his AC switch. He had enough room under the hood because he had the 22RE instead of the V6. It was like that when he bought it though so he wasn't much help when it came to figuring out how it worked... I was just thinking of, for now, filling the tank at a gas station whenever it got low. I can't imagine I'd be blasting the horn too much... Edited September 14, 2009 by Kingman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastpath Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 IMO the best option would be to have an auxillary horn button that is hooked up to the air horn. That way you can use your regular horn normally, but when someone really does something stupid you can blast them away with the air horn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwipete Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Ok, here is what I have done for my air horns. Yes I have two of them, under the bonnet. Here is the tank set up. it is a 6l tank from a baby compressor. I had to widen the inner bracket for the tyre carrier to fit it in there. Under the tank is a water drain and on the top is a snap-on connector. The hose runs under the body, tied to the fuel lines along the chassis rail and into the engine bay area. In the front is another snap-on connector near the grille. There is a 12v air solenoid valve hooked to the horn switch. This is with a 2 way switch so I can switch between the electric or air horns. This switch is located on the under side of the steering wheel surround. I have the front section all plumed up ready for a Sanden 508 air con compressor to power the system. This will be located between the factory air con and alternator. Mine is a TD27 diesel motor. I just have to make the brackets for the modified air con compressors so in the mean time I charge the system with my workshop air supply. The two horns are just like yours and are strapped (cable tied) beside my air filter. I have a roof rack to mount at some stage and will look at putting the horns up there one day. No pictures of the front setup yet sorry. These pumps just need the oil drained from the sump and high temp grease inserted via a grease nipple on the bung. Here is a diagram that I have followed in my set-up. I am not using the oiler or oil separator in my setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edicer2 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 how much did that all cost and where ddi u get it all looks cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 There is about 1/2"-3/4" space above the headliner. There are no cross supports on the front part, just at the windsheild and at the B pillar (dome light area). So, you might want to glue in a piece of wood under the roof for some added rigidity when you mount it. Here is a picture of my 88 with the liner out (I added the insulation in there, not stock): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Sweet thanks for the info guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Half the fun of having an air horn is it not being visible. You should try really hard to find a hidden location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeV Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 up that high won't give the full effect, Down low would be an eye opener for someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nytrosfinder Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 For the Laughs sake I think to get this would be Hilarious! Nathan Airchime K5LA Train Horn name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>" wmode="transparent" style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars=""> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9sar Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 face those to the rear and you would get better mpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted September 16, 2009 Author Share Posted September 16, 2009 That thing is loud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeV Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now