SO I had a set of K5LAs in a Nissan Altima and it was a hoot until the car got rear ended. The horns survived and I just uninstalled it.
Fast forward to today, I bought a 2014 Ram Ecodiesel last week and want to install the horns in there.
I would like to put them all under the engine area where it looks like it can all fit…But Im thinking when it needs servicing, it’ll be a huge PITA.
Or I can split them up and run them on either side in the areas near the running boards.
So a) where should I put them? I see some guys remove the spare tire and use the bed. I think thats a great option along with running an extra line for air when needed.
b) In the install below, I see a lot of folks put that compressor underneath the car. How the heck does that work? Shouldn’t it be kept in a dry area? I’d be concerned with water damaging the compressor. Thoughts?
https://www.hornblasters.com/installs/set/?le-2005-dodge-ram-grey
Thanks!
BTW this was my old blaster. I plan on using the same horn. Was lot of fun as no one expected it from the Altima!
http://youtu.be/vcSsEGhjZps
If you intend to use your warranty service, then avoid installation into the engine area until after your warranty expires.
Because I run an engine driven compressor with a load genie, coalescing filter, 6-port air manifold, under hood liquid-filled gauge, electronic sending unit, pressure switch, custom-made environmentally sealed relay box -AND- dual batteries with mosfet-based dual rectifier (i.e. bi-directional isolator) and 0 AWG battery and ground wiring … mechanics get super-confused looks when they look under my hood – nevermind the 4 downward aimed shockers behind the grille that they tend not to notice at all unless the grille is removed.
I have exactly two mechanics I permit to work on my truck – neither of which is at a dealership. One does transmission work … and is unphased by the plumbing along the frame rails and the bolted-in steel box that houses/holds/protects my twin tanks, as he’s used to it all, now. The other does pretty much anything besides transmission work. Key to working with both of these guys is that if I need service done that I can’t do on my own (I do a lot of my own work), they’ll let me in their shops to use their tools to get the customizations out (since I know how they went in) and then do their pieces – after which I can reinstall. Heck, one of the guys helped me size the belt for the EDC once I mounted and aligned it!
If you don’t have that kind of relationship with your mechanics and you don’t do all of your own work – I advise you to place your customizations in locations that won’t impede your mechanics’ work. For the most part that’ll relegate you to behind the rocker panels, the spare tire well, the cab, and/or your truck box. If you put things elsewhere and let mechanics at a dealership work on your gear – assuming they’ll do it, you can expect a) your gear to come back messed up or b) you to get a much bigger bill due to having to work around or carefully remove/replace your gear. It’s doubtful that working around or removing/replacing your customizations would be covered under warranty … and it’s actually likely that if your gear is in the way of warranty work, they’ll use that as an excuse not to cover something.
That’s my 2 cents…
I would say go with the spare tire location. I never owned a “new” Car or truck but I would play it safe with the warranty stuff. I was at a tire place today having a tire replaced and one of the guys got a surprise when he removed the wheel. 
I got a Honk Request and gave a quick toot. They Jumped 3 feet in the air. 
Your 2 cents is invaluable. Appreciate it guys!
So Im right, gotta keep that compressor out of the elements.
Compressors can be mounted under a vehicle. They are sealed.
I just wouldn’t mount one in the wheelwell or somewhere that it would take direct hits of water. The air intake, however, must be kept dry. That is why they have intake relocation kits.
Check out my ride and install.
My horns are pointed down, mounted to the outside frame rail, near the fuel tank. It’s a snug fit and work great.
Congrats on the EcoDiesel … let me know more about that truck, I’m thinking about adding another diesel to my garage.
-Kris
So I’m the process of getting the running boards first. I like the idea of pointing straight down but since Im not lifting the truck, I’m a bit leery about the idea.
When you guys attach horns to the car, how do you do it? Im searching through all the install images for ideas.
Neither of my trucks are lifted, and there’s plenty of room as the longest bell hangs only a little bit from under the bed.
Some mount high (I’m looking into this using a headache rack) and some mount in the spare tire location. Hornblasters main site has an installs section (https://www.hornblasters.com/installs/class/?train_horns_on_trucks) that you should check out!
-Kris
Im been looking through the installs. Lots of ideas coming to me.
I like how you did yours and may try that.
About the Ecodiesel, its my first diesel and first pick up truck. I love it. Coming back from an Altima and a Honda Pilot, it is SO GOOD to be back on a smooth riding American car.
Still have less than 700 miles on it as of today, 70% stop and go and the rest is highway. But getting 21 MPG mixed so far. I love the challenge of getting her unto 8th gear as soon as I can.
Once we get the tonneau cover and take her on a good road trip, I can’r wait to really see those numbers.
Nice!
I broke my '08 in on a few long range trips with the cruise set at 70 to 75 MPH. Even in a 1 ton truck with the wife, kids, and luggage, I can get it up into the high teens for mileage.
Let me ask this, for you guys that have taking out the spare tire and used that area for install, what do you do regarding a spare tire? D oyou run an extra line for air and hope that you never need a spare?
People with lifted vehicles often run with no spares – usually because the larger tire sizes they put on their lifted vehicles won’t fit in the spare tire location -and- because big, meaty tires are heavy and hurt fuel economy when carried as a spare. (Basically, 35’s and larger tend not to fit. I, myself, run 34.3" tires specifically so I can carry a matched, full-size spare … but doing so costs me almost 1 MPG due to its weight.)
Those I know who run without a spare usually carry a jack, a tire plug kit, some pliers, and a compressor (if they don’t have a quick disconnect connected to an on board air system). AAA towing membership is also an option if you go without a spare.
Great idea. I am thinking of just making life easy and ditching the spare. I already arm my vehicles with tire plug kits and would totally consider a jack as well.
So many things going on right now. We moved 6 months ago, gotta put in a pool for the kids, a zipline and a treehouse and I have to get that out of the way before I do horns.
Chompin at the bit!
