Now you need to get a snazzy Mark VII paint job to go with the horn!

(Or just give it a stripe and call it a Mark V )

Ok so here's the install:

I mounted the compressor under the hood on the passenger side next to the radiator. To do this I removed one of the headlight assemblies and the battery and battery pan. This gave me room to work.

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3809.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3811.jpg[/img]

I also mounted the solenoid valve under the hood I put it inside my truck's under hood storage box a handy feature GM used to put on there trucks(not sure if they still do)

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3844.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3845.jpg[/img]

The tank is 2.2 Gallons and I can get probably a good half a min. of honking in on it if the compressor switch is turned off but with it on it's hard to run out of air because the pump makes air at a little higher rate than the horn uses it. the sound does get a little weaker but not much! Ok so the tank is mounted under the bed in front of the spare tire. the pressor switch on it is set at 120 PSI. and it kicks on at 110 PSI

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3842.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3843.jpg[/img]

In the cab I have a few blanks on the dash so I used two of them one for the horn button and the other for the compressor switch( used to turn the compressor off when the engine is off because if it happens to kick on when the engine is off it will kill the battery in a hurry!

The little black button on the very top up above the cargo lamp switch is the horn button and the toggle switch on the bottom left is the compressor switch.

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3835.jpg[/img]

Now the horns! I mounted them on the drivers side under the cab (directly under my seat to be exact) I had some extra horn "shower caps" (used on locomotives to keep birds and stuff out of the horns) laying around so decided to put them on the horns to keep road grime and rocks out of the horns

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3838.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/sp2472/IMG_3837.jpg[/img]

Also the whole system is plumb with 1/4" O.D. DOT air brake hose

hope this helps those of you that want to install one of these on your vehicle!

TM

They do on the light trucks - I have a 1-ton and it had an empty battery tray there waiting for the second battery. Which I promptly made non-empty. Only a Group 24DC, not enough room for a 27DC. (Darn.)

But there are enough nooks and crannies to mount the compressor and solenoid in most trucks, and it is weather resistant enough for the use. The only thing you might want to add is the plastic anti-short boots over the power terminals.

If you have the compressor wired directly to that little Hobbs style pressure switch, you should add a power relay in between. As far as I know those small switches are only rated for an amp or two, for a warning light and buzzer.

And larger tanks are available from truck air brakes. 6 and 12 gallons, if you have the room to mount them.

You can wire a toggle switch so the stock horn button honks either the stock or the air, but this is NOT recommended if anyone else ever drives the vehicle. If you leave it in the wrong position...

I'm going to rig mine with a good old lanyard valve/switch over the window. then when you reach up and grab for it there's no question that you wanted to make a big noise.

Ooh! Who makes those?

--<< Bruce >>--

Hi Bruce thanks for the input, yeah I didn't want to use the stock button for the horn for just that reason! one of my friend's has his set up that way and even he forgets the switch sometimes and if he goes to honk at somone who stepped out in front of him they get the full wrath of an ex-CSX K5LA horn which if you don't know is LOUD! the relay is fine its rated for 10 Amps acording to the book(it came with the compressor kit) and writing on the side of it.(I thought what you thought at first too) now the horn "shower caps" they are designed for locomotive horns and thus are only made by locomotive horn companies. I collect locomotive horns and had them laying around so I used them. If you went out to buy them Leslie doesn't even sell them to the general public and if you went through Nathan expect to pay $40 per cap or you could just go on ebay and get a whole set of 5 for $10-$20 your choice

TM

Note from an Electrician: The pressure switch being "rated for 10A" means NEVER run it flat out all the time if you want it to live long. That little one-lung compressor might only draw 9A but those switch contacts will stall draw a nice arc every time they open, and they will burn up.

Change it over now, and the little Bosch 30A "ice-cube" relay contacts will take the wear. You put the relay someplace it's a lot easier to get to, and it simply unplugs. No needing to depressurize the air system, and then find where that special socket to remove the pressure switch went to...

A set of Nathan K5LA horns is tempting, and I have (legal) sources I could plumb... No. The Grover's are plenty.

Now If I could get the "Dizzy Gillespie" Mod done (a 90-degree bend at the end of the horn) or perhaps a full French Horn style scroll, I'd have many more mounting options. Hide them behind the grill with just the bell peeping out. Or under the bumper sideways - I'll go get a bull bar or a set of Push Pads.

--<< Bruce >>--

Hi guys, brand new here!
HUGE Monorail fan, and glad to find this Discussion Forum.
Train man, I'm posting this in case I messed up my email to you. I'm truly fascinated and amazed by the Grover 1056 truck install! I love your detailed post, great pics, Youtube videos awesome, I HAVE to have this in my car (I'll find room somehow). Sorry if I'm repeating myself, but how did you buy the Grover 1056? They said they don't sell to the public (big surprise), so I'm assuming you have some kinda connection? Be that as it may, any help on how I could do the same, aside from going through Air Horns of Texas (1054&1055 $115 each)?
Thanks for any help you can give!!!

If they give you grief ordering direct from Grover, you might have to go to that local horn dealer to get them. But check at your local "Real Auto Parts" that has an account with Grover - NAPA Corporate has one with them AFAICT. You may do better on price - but these aren't mass produced, so there isn't a corresponding price break. $115 a piece doesn't sound too far out of line.

IIRC, the 1054 and 1055 are shorter ones for Semis and have a higher note. 1056 and 1057 are the longer Basso Profundo end of the line that'll give you that Monorail sound.

--<< Bruce >>--

Thanks for the advice Bruce!
I'll probably just go with the Texas place for the horns. I'm basing the model numbers 1054 & 1055 on what I read above on this thread by Train Man. I've seen his YouTube videos it sounds right to me. Did some measuring under my car, and I think I can fit the horns sideways, up against the gas tank, just barely. If not I'll pull my bumper and mount up front inside if I have to, either way, their going in no matter what!
Any other advice from others would be appreciated
Thanks
Chris

Kind of odd that the Mark VIIs use a 1054/1055 combination rather than the 1055/1056 used on the previous generations. The Mark VIIs horns sound a whole lot "deeper" toned and i dont know if its just me but Mark VII Red seems to have a special tone.................

Well I haven't been on here in a VERY long time been busy "playin trains" for a living! Chris to answer your question I ordered my horn through a local Kenworth truck dealer so you might want to look at a local truck dealer good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to ask!

TM