Train horn

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Skmcclain

Active Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2020
Posts
28
Reaction score
5
Location
Liberty, SC
Has anyone put a train horn in your Expy? We want to put one in mine, and wondering if you have any recommendations...
 

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,199
Reaction score
1,161
Location
Riverton
I wouldn’t spend the money on Nathan’s. Horn blasters are plenty loud and a huge savings for something you can’t really use. After having train horns on my Kodiak. They are fun, but dangerous, they get you into trouble and you can only honk them a few seconds at a time. Or you will get turned in by the people that poop their pants and can identify the vehicle. Huge lifted Kodiak kinda stood out vs an Expy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

The Wiped Cam

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2015
Posts
52
Reaction score
38
Location
My Garage
How about a Telolet horn? It'll yeet any Prius outta the left lane guranteed. Just don't get the Baby Shark or Darude Sandstorm version.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2020
Posts
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Kingwood, TX
I have a Horn Blasters setup I transferred from my 2015 expy. They are set under the rear, wrapped around the spare tire. ( The spare is unaffected). I have it wired to my horn, and have an on/off switch handily under the dash, out of sight.
 

Tocapet

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Posts
202
Reaction score
62
Location
Texas/Colorado
I have Grovers on mine. A 31" long Grover and a pair of 13" and 15" Grovers. Together, they'll save your life. I don't go around blowing them all the time since my air tank is very small. But when a truck was backing up and was going to hit me, a blast from those horns made him stop on a dime. But there's a guy on Youtube that has a Kahlenburg T3 horn from a ferry boat. He needs hearing protection when he sounds it. Go here to see/hear it.
 
Last edited:

Tocapet

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Posts
202
Reaction score
62
Location
Texas/Colorado
HornBlasters are great!! But, Nathan AirChimes are the cream of the crop
Yes, but they are very expensive (over &1000) and very large and heavy. YOu would be hard-pressed to find a place to mount it. If you had a pickup truck you could mount it in the bed.
 

craig sargood

Full Access Members
Joined
Apr 23, 2019
Posts
367
Reaction score
142
Location
California
I have a vixen 1.5 gallon 140psi tank and 3 trumpet horn in my 1st gen. I believe it was approximately $170 off eBay, works great. Installed behind the pocket on passenger side and behind door for jack( too small anyway). And built a new panel and painted to match truck. It’s also connected to my alarm system, so if it goes off, everyone knows.

223081CD-33CB-40D7-BDAF-D0CC4E152C1A.jpeg

6EF0EBC7-AC2E-4840-9CEE-7ECA195FDD32.jpeg

32424EF3-FA60-4EB0-A4C2-DDC4A0BD2A96.jpeg

17E5F704-9DC8-420B-BE7E-E80C83FDA95B.jpeg
 

rjdelp7

2000 XLT
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Posts
1,529
Reaction score
378
Location
NY
Sounds like a good way to get your vehicles keyed or tire slashed. It's obnoxious to. I have worked for the railroad and lived by a crossing. I can vouch that the public hates these horns. The FRA limits there use to 15-20 sec. Two longs, a short and a long. The last long must be as you cross the road. Certain areas the residents, were able to petition the town for quiet zones. There is areas with no horns on crossings. Driver training specifically mentions considerate use of the normal horn.
 
Last edited:

Tocapet

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Posts
202
Reaction score
62
Location
Texas/Colorado
My horns are mounted behind the grille pointing downwards. My solenoid valve quit working last week, so I'll have to replace it before I can give a demo. Mine sounds a much lower tone than the train horns.
 

craig sargood

Full Access Members
Joined
Apr 23, 2019
Posts
367
Reaction score
142
Location
California
I get your argument, it is quite loud, but I don’t mind who like it or me or both, I like my vehicle to still be there in the morning with all property still inside. And people are dumb at driving especially here in Southern California, so they need a little toot every now and again to scare the poop out of them and remind them there’s other people on the road and that they’re operating a motor vehicle.............toot tooooooot!!!!!!
 

Artie

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 24, 2017
Posts
1,870
Reaction score
1,036
Location
Georgia
How is a train horn even legal? Law in my state says “car horn must be audible for at least 200 feet but no unreasonable loud or harsh sound”. I really don’t see the point in this and, quite frankly, should I find myself on the offending end of a f*cking train horn I’d consider that tantamount to somewhere between fighting words and assault.
 

Tocapet

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Posts
202
Reaction score
62
Location
Texas/Colorado
IMG_1292[1].JPG There is a time and place for everything. I admit, train horns have no place on vehicles. But some horns do. Like the ones on 18-wheelers. There needs to be a difference between a standard car horn and a truck horn, so that when you hear it, you know what's coming and can take the appropriate action. The reason I have truck horns on my Expedition is not to play or scare people. It's when I tow my big trailer, I need more stopping room, so I am able to warn other drivers when necessary. I have run air horns (not train horns) on my vehicles for more than 30 years and have never made anyone mad or aroused the attention of the police. And yes, I have sounded them many times. The picture shows my current installation. The grille is removed while I was replacing the solenoid.
 
Last edited:

scottdm

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 2, 2018
Posts
828
Reaction score
495
Location
Western PA
How is a train horn even legal? Law in my state says “car horn must be audible for at least 200 feet but no unreasonable loud or harsh sound”. I really don’t see the point in this and, quite frankly, should I find myself on the offending end of a f*cking train horn I’d consider that tantamount to somewhere between fighting words and assault.

You are correct that they aren't legal for road use (other than a railroad). DOT, and police would likely issue a ticket if they witnessed it or in today's age of everything being recorded, the recipient of the "toot toot" could easily pursue legal charges if they so desired. Not worth the risk in my opinion.

Now the alarm application sounds like fun unless you are the neighbor next door who gets to listen to it if it goes off by accident.
 

Smoothur

New Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2024
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
USA
So, about that train horn on your Expy – it's a wild idea, but man, it could add some serious character! I've seen a few folks go for it, and it's always a head-turner.
I haven't taken the plunge myself, but from what I've heard, it's all about finding the right fit for your ride. You want something loud enough to make a statement but not too over-the-top, you know?
I did some digging, and https://bosshorn.com seems to have some solid options.
Just remember, with great horn power comes great responsibility – gotta keep it street-legal and all that jazz.
 
Last edited:
Top