DIY - Replace your factory horn with 118db "Bad Boy" (39 pics)

[TigerDave]

Note: You can also find an easier-to-read and printable version of this DIY here.

Replace your [wimpy] factory horn with a loud 118dB "Bad Boy"
For 2006-2007 Honda Civic Si models
by TigerDave

Disclaimer:
This DIY guide is only for informational purpose and the author or the website owner is not responsible for any malfunctions, damages, property loss, injuries or accidents or liabilities of any kind. Proceed at your own risk. There. Now with that said...

Details:
This guide walks you through the steps I took to replace my factory Honda horn with a 118dB Wolo "Bad Boy" (Model 419) air horn that sounds like an Italian sports car. Read this guide thoroughly before starting.

Background:
I've had my 2006 Civic Si for just over a year now and I was just fed up with the wimpy stock horn. So I decided to replace it with something louder and more attention-getting as a defense against all the crappy drivers out there.

Details:
The latest in air horn technology, one-piece design, that requires no hoses. Installs in minutes by simply transferring the factory horn wires to the compressor. Mounts with one bolt included in kit. Produces a powerful dual tone air horn sound that is two times 2X louder than the factory horn. The Bad Boy is compact in size to fit any car, truck, motorcycle and any 12-volt vehicle that wants a loud air horn sound. Heavy-duty maintenance free compressor will provide years of dependable service. Instruction in English / Spanish.

Wolo Website and sound sample

Total cost of this "hack":
About $50.00 (including some wiring parts)

Some Tools I Used:
A pair of wire strippers/crimpers. This pair set me back $4.00 from the fine store known as "Big Lots!".


Also nice to have, but not required, is a set of door trim fastener and molding removal tools. This particular set is plastic, so it doesn't scratch like metal ones do. I got this set off eBay for about $20. Just search for "auto trim tools".


I ended up using these two fastener removal tools for this project.
You will also need:

• 5mm allen wrench
• 10mm socket (not shown), and a 12mm socket (not shown) or adjustable wrench.
• Drill with a 5/16" bit
• Phillips Screwdriver

To connect the new horn to the existing car's wiring, you'll need:

• 2 six-inch long wires (16-18 gauge) with the ends stripped
• 2 female terminal connectors (that connect to the new horn)
• 1 ring connector (shown in yellow)
• 1 wiring coupler (shown in red)

I bought this pack of assorted connects at the local Wal-Mart for $8.25 which contained all the connectors I needed and much more for future wiring jobs.


Here's a close-up of the ring connector, both terminal connectors and the coupler.


Let's get started...
The first thing you want to do is to get an old blanket to protect the bumper when removed.
We all know how easily the paint scratches on our Civics.


SAFETY FIRST!
Jack up the car using the jack points on the frame.
Then set jack stands next to the jacks also under the frame as insurance.
Better yet, if you have ramps, use those.


There are two types of fasteners you will be dealing with.
Type 1 is a simple plug type.
Type 2 has an inner "head" the slides in and out with tiny metal tabs inside that deploy outwards when the fastener is seated in.
Whatever you do, remove these with care. The Type 2 fastener is pretty durable but I broke one of the three Type 1 fasteners while removing it. They are pretty brittle, so exercise caution.
And they are not cheap as far as plastic fasteners go. The cost from Honda to replace the single Type 1 fastener: $1.67 + tax!


On the passenger side, carefully remove two Type 1 fasteners and one Type 2 as shown.


Slide the side trim over to reveal the tab shown indicated by the red arrow.


On the driver side, carefully remove one Type 1 fastener and one Type 2 as shown.


Slide the side trim over to reveal the tab shown.


Gently tilt, lift and slide the cover towards you paying attention to the hood release lever.
Note: The front lip of the cover tucks under the "Si" grille.


Here's the cover removed.


There are two 5mm hex bolts holding the grille and bumper on.
Remove the passenger side bolt (it's on pretty tight).


Remove the driver side 5mm hex bolt.


Under the car bumper, you will see a lot of Type 2 fasteners. You will only be removing eight of them. At first, it can be confusing as to which ones to remove. Just follow the pictures closely and you'll be fine.
Starting on the passenger side, remove the two corner fasteners.
You can use a small flathead screwdriver if need be.


Along the bumper, remove 4 more Type 2 fasteners as shown.
Then remove the two corner fasteners on the driver side (not shown).


In front of each front tire, remove the 10mm bolt.


To give you a better perspective, here a view of the passenger side of the bumper after it's been removed.
You will remove the same number of bolts and fasteners on the driver side.


Remove the Phillips screw located in both front wheel wells.


The bumper is held on by 7 retaining tabs on each side.
Give the bumper a good pull away from the car and it will come off.
Take your time!
Set the bumper on a soft blanket away from the work area.


Here's a the front of the Si with the front bumper removed.
You can see the stock horn now.


Remove the single bolt holding the horn onto the bracket.


Press the tab to release the horn from the connector.


Here's you can see that the horn has just one wire. That indicates it uses the bolt and bracket as ground.


The stock horn next to the Bad Boy.
The red arrow indicates the part of the new horn that will hang on the mounting bolt.


The new mounting bolt screws in perfectly into the bracket where the stock bolt was. This may seem like a good thing, but truth is, you want the new bolt to easily slide through the bracket without having to turn it. This is the only way you'll get the new horn mounted tightly.
So take your drill and a 5/16" bit and drill out the thread of the nut (not shown) welded behind the bracket so the new bolt can slide easily through it.


Crimp the terminal connectors, ground loop connector, and coupler onto the two 6" wires as shown.


Here's a close up shot of the connectors on the Bad Boy horn.


You can see that one is labeled positive "+" and the other negative "-".


On the existing horn wiring, cut the stock connector off , strip the wire, and crimp the coupler onto it as shown.


Slide the bolt into the bracket.
Slide the loop ground connector onto the bolt followed by the included washer and nut as shown.


Connect the wire that was coupled to the existing wiring to the "+" terminal.
Connect the ground wire to the "-" terminal.


Tighten the nut on the rear of the bracket as much as possible.


Here's the new horn as seen from the front.
The round silver "WOLO" cover rattled so I put some electrical tape over the top and bottom.
Now, before you reassemble everything, test your horn!
It's LOUD!


Time to reinstall the bumper.
Notice the seven slots on the edge of the bumper.


The group of four slide into these retaining clips under the headlight (3 shown).


The back 3 slots slide into these retaining clips.
Reassemble the bumper and the cover in reverse order.


Enjoy your new, louder horn!

[civexsi]

Repped, any sound recordings?

[projekt1]

This DIY should be template for all DIY's . Detailed pics, explanations, arrows, everything just perfect! Xcellent job!
Repped.

[TigerDave]

Originally Posted by projekt1

This DIY should be template for all DIY's . Detailed pics, explanations, arrows, everything just perfect! Xcellent job!
Repped.

LOL, thanks. "Technical Writer" is actually one of my many job duties. I actually have to write "how-to docs" as part of my job.

I'm a stickler for clear, concise instructions.

[TigerDave]

Originally Posted by civexsi

Repped, any sound recordings?

Turn your PC speakers all the way up and then click here.

[elsnowblow]

nice. i will rep for a sound clip

[07mugencivic]

...nice....but now...i want to hear it

[07mugencivic]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

Turn your PC speakers all the way up and then click here.

its Forbidden

[Wakeboarder11]

Originally Posted by projekt1

This DIY should be template for all DIY's . Detailed pics, explanations, arrows, everything just perfect! Xcellent job!
Repped.

haha i was going to say that same thing as I was reading through his post.

One suggestion though, it would be a very good idea to put an inline fuse on that. I did this same thing for my WOLO air horn and it shorted about 2-3 weeks later. It ended up blowing my horn fuse, VSA fuse, and brake light fuses that wern't in the cars fuse panels but randomly scattered throught the car. My dealership made me pay 200 to get it fixed so I would really recommend adding a fuse in there between the horn.

Other than that, great DIY! repped

[CrackThatTec45]

damn dude hella nice DIY!!!! One of The Ocho's FINEST!!! REP!!

[mO 64 StAnG 06]

Wait... Could you go in better detail? Your write-up is a bit confusing..

[TigerDave]

Originally Posted by Wakeboarder11

One suggestion though, it would be a very good idea to put an inline fuse on that. I did this same thing for my WOLO air horn and it shorted about 2-3 weeks later. It ended up blowing my horn fuse, VSA fuse, and brake light fuses that wern't in the cars fuse panels but randomly scattered throught the car. My dealership made me pay 200 to get it fixed so I would really recommend adding a fuse in there between the horn.

Other than that, great DIY! repped

What size fuse should I add?

Originally Posted by mO 64 StAnG 06

Wait... Could you go in better detail? Your write-up is a bit confusing..

[Chase]

Originally Posted by TigerDave

What size fuse should I add?

15A outta do that one... Damn good DIY im going to do this for sure... Although I kinda of want an Accord Horn..

[CrackThatTec45]

Originally Posted by mO 64 StAnG 06

Wait... Could you go in better detail? Your write-up is a bit confusing..

man do i SURE hope your kidding

[SiNISTER SiNDY]

Great DIY man, very detailed and professional. I personally like my wimpy horn, it makes me have self confidence (kinda like wearing pink). But amazing detail, and thanks for showing me how to get the front bumper off. Imma use your DIY to clear my headlights this weekend.

[07si sedan]

very nice write up!

[GlxyGry06Si]

its forbidden. great diy

+rep

[07mugencivic]

Good Job Man...........

[06si]

bump for a sound clip

[volksi]

Best DIY I've seen. Great work!