Note to self: Don't ASSist speednut with any installs!

 

Well, it looks as if I will be pulling the bumper cover off this weekend and installing the Stiebel horn.
Seems the way to go.
Want to thank everyone for the tips and how tos.

Also got Ian's auto up circuit , so will be attempting that install as well.

I have to add that I am still enjoying this car more than the other 32 cars I have owned (all foreign, except for the Packard, ****** and Explorer) with the exception of the 64 Austin Mini 1275s - that one was a blast!

Jay
03 Cooper VR/VR

 

Let us know how it goes!

 

Quick clarification for SheaJeff, missing items are often sat on, not anything else funny!

Okay, you all were right, getting the bumper off was ridiculously easy. I had no idea that it could be that simple.

Several months ago, I picked up the Griot's Garage compact air horn, just before they anounced the smaller sized model. So this is what the larger Stebel horn from Griots looks like:



OEM high and low horns with one of the harness connectors yanked off. Your call whether or not to mod this connector. I went the quick and dirty way by using quick connects to tap the existing wiring, then wound them up tight with electrical tape.



The horn fit nice and snug here in this location, but those of you that have done this already can see what's wrong with my assumptions. There is no space for the turn signal reflector and wiring harness to be put back.



Once the bumper was attempted to be put back on, I realized the horn would have to be moved out of the way of the turn signal lamp.



Here it is with the bumper reattached:



The edge of the horn is putting a small dimple in the bumper right now, so I may take the bumper off again and take a dremel cutter to the offending portion of the horn.

Yes, the horn is bloody loud, but probably not much louder than the two OEM horns. It just has a more urgent "move you butt" or "eyes on the road bozo" tone to it that rattles the other drivers into submission. I told my Tifosi coworker that I installed a Ferrari horn on my Mini. He insisted we went outside right that minute so he could hear it. He felt it was very close to a Ferrari horn sound, just a bit higher pitch. A very european sounding horn nonetheless.

Also, FWIW, I've held the horn on for more than 5 seconds (don't ask, there is an endless supply of idiot stories) and have not blown any fuses. I disconnected both OEM horns, so it's only the single air horn right now. A second one on the other side is mighty tempting with an larger fuse as per SheaJeff's suggestion.

I tapped the wires to the OEM horn for the new horn. Brown wire is the ground, blue with red stripe or red with blue stripe and yellow ticks is the +12v switched (via steering wheel horn). This was for my 06 Mini, verify with DVM to be certain.

Hope this helps others and a big thank you to everyone else who has posted such helpful information in this forum.

 

Okay, so I should have put the horn that weekend I thought I was, last night tangled with a deer - the Steibel might have made a difference.
So, she goes into the body shop tomorrow, bumper comes of as well as the hood, left front panel, driver's door and the left rear quarter panel gets a new paint job.
Whew, it was close to going over the front end and into the driver's area, the quickness of the Mini got me out of trouble, so it was a glancing blow.
Do get the stone chips taken out of the front end I inherited from previous owner.
And, ta dah, the shop will stick the horn in for me.

Jayski
03 Cooper VR/VR and CRINKED!