While attending truck shows across the United States, we have noticed an increase in train horns and the unmistakable sound of their ear-blasting decibels. This breathtaking trend of horn blasting has been known to interrupt pacemakers. If you haven't had a truck train horn break wind next to you sending you into instant decibel shock, consider yourself fortunate. Train horn blasts have been measured as high as 156 decibels! We thought we would join the train horn brigade and install a HornBlasters Shocker 240 locomotive air horn kit on our '09 Dodge Ram "Black Sheep" project truck.
After receiving our HornBlasters Shocker 240 train horn kit, the components were carefully unpacked and laid out on a table for a quick inventory. We utilized the four trumpets, air lines, fittings, and switch, but since we already had an existing Ride Tech air suspension, we used its onboard compressors, and two, five-gallon air supply tanks. This made the install super easy and if your truck already has airbags, you too can install trainhorns in just a few hours. Follow along as we install the HornBlasters train horn kit.
One suggestion is to always wear a pair of earplugs when operating the HornBlasters train horn.
-
Because we already had installed a Ride Tech air suspension system complete with its compr
-
The HornBlasters electric air valve and air line outlet manifold were assembled using Tefl
-
After loading our '09 Dodge Ram "Black Sheep" onto the Direct Lift drive-up hoist in our i
-
The HornBlasters electric air valve/air line outlet manifold was mounted to the inside of
-
A horn trumpet mounting bracket was made using an 18x11/2-inch x 11/2-inch piece of angle
-
After mounting the four HornBlasters trumpets to the angle iron mounting bracket, the unit
-
An air line cutting tool was used to insure a perpendicular clean cut.
-
The 5/16-inch OD air line was cut into four equal lengths. The individual lengths were the
-
After the horn trumpets were aligned, they were individually secured using tie-wraps. Not
Highs
• Better than a factory horn and more fun
• Instant attention
• Helps get those bad drivers out of your way
Lows
• Possible attention from the authorities
• Collateral damage with scaring someone
From the Driver Seat
The installation of the kit was simple and straightforward. Utilizing the pre-existing Ride Tech compressor and air supply tanks made the installation quick and easy. A toggle switch power lead was spliced into a power wire found in the wire loom located in the driver door jam. The toggle switch was then mounted onto the driver seat lower plastic panel to activate the train horns. With one flip of the switch, our train horns now clear the way for us.
| YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED |
| TIME SPENT WORKING: |
2 hours |
| DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: |
Beginner |
|
Tools Used: 3/8-inch long socket (front horn mount), 1/2-inch long socket (rear horn mount), 9/16-inch wrench (1/4-inch NPT fittings), 7/8-inch wrench 1/2-inch NPT fittings), 16mm wrench (metric 1/4-inch NPT fittings), 22mm wrench (metric 1/2-inch NPT fittings), drill motor (3/16-inch, 1/4-inch, and 7/16-inch drill bits), wire cutters/strippers, tubing cutter, eye protection.
Parts Used: HornBlasters Shocker XL (partial kit without compressor or air tank)
(price does not include tax, shipping, or installation)
Horn Blasters Shocker 240 (complete kit with compressor and air tank)