2nd Gen JCW Installing Hella Supertone Horns on the R56

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by Metalman, Aug 28, 2011.

  1. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    After finding absolutely no room behind the front upper grill for the horns, I decided to investigate to see if there was room behind the front bumper cover.

    I partially removed the front passenger side fender liner. Just pulled it up out of the way after removing a few fasteners.

    Looks like there might be a little room next to the back side of the fog light housing. I chose the lower bolt connecting the bumper beam to the "crush" extension that attaches to the front sub frame.

    [​IMG][/IMG]

    Here's the a pic of the horn bracket I made since the bracket that was attached to the Hella unit wasn't long enough.

    [​IMG][/IMG]

    Test fitting the Hella Horn to the bracket.

    [​IMG][/IMG]

    With the bracket installed.

    [​IMG][/IMG]

    And with the Hella Horn installed.

    [​IMG][/IMG]

    I ran out of time, so the driver side will need to wait for another day.
     
  2. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Since you mounted behind the fog light, do you intend to use it as a "FOG HORN"? :D

    Jim
     
  3. RllyDrvrIX

    RllyDrvrIX New Member

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    :drool
     
  4. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    ha ha ha ha ha snerk ha ha ha ha!!!
     
  5. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Jim, you're killing me....:lol::lol::lol:
    Good one....:D
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    How can you keep your calipers so clean. Oh wait a minute, Hella sonic cleaning..... :p
     
  7. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    Hi!

    How do you like the Hella Supertones?
     
  8. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    It'sa slow journey....
    Haven't done anything since the last post....
    One is hanging, one is still in the box.
    Haven't ordered the Hella waterproof relay yet.
    May go down to the shop and try to fit the second Hella today.
     
  9. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  10. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    thats interesting
     
  11. Uncle

    Uncle New Member

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    I was going to say the same thing.
     
  12. Stinker

    Stinker Active Member

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    So did you ever get around to installing the other horn? I just installed mine under the passage side headlight. Drop the stock one down so I could mount one of the horns on top of it. Then mounted the other one flat next to that one. Just need to wire them up now.
     
  13. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Ummmm... Yeah.... As of today....:eek:

    Now that I have my MINI cave.... Been playing "long overdo" catch up....:D

    With my front bumper removed, I finally got around to finishing up the bracket for the Hella horns....

    The wimpy MINI stock are the Italian Fiamm units.... They are gone now...

    Had to get a little creative with the mount though...

    Finished this one today...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Installed....:cool:

    [​IMG]

    Now just need to deal with the wiring...:D
     
  14. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Chuck I love your metal man origami. You are the wizard of sheet metal. :Thumbsup:
     
  15. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Heh Heh.... Thanks Chuck....

    Oh, and by the way....thanks for the Hellyeahs......:D
     
  16. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    You are most welcome. The check cleared the bank OK. :D
     
  17. 05r50

    05r50 Well-Known Member

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    I'm gonna need one of those brackets. The air horns just aren't getting any attention these days.

    I have been cut off several times lately. Hit the horn and they just keep coming over.

    Time for some more umph in my horn.
     
  18. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    I didn't want to cut and splice the OEM horn wiring harness.... So through diligent "Realoem" searching.... I located the matching OEM plug for the horn connection... My plan is to drive a separate remote fused relay with the OEM horn circuit and power the Hella's with a higher amperage circuit....

    Looking at the stock wiring, there is no way the Hella's will get the power they require without this upgrade...:D

    The Hella horns are rated at 72 watts which works out to 6 amps at 12 volts....

    To be continued....
     
  19. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Made a wiring loom for the Hella horns today.... The wiring is protected with a woven abrasion resistant sheath just like the OEM wrap...
    Got the OEM connectors last week which will plug into the stock horn plug.... I'll use the stock horn circuit to drive the remote relay so I get full amperage to the Hella horns.... The stock wiring seems pitifully undersized and this will resolve that concern...:D

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #20 Justa Jim, Jan 4, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 4, 2014
    You honestly do fantastic work MM, but my only concern is the cost. This install has taken almost two years, so at your hourly rate that would be, $10,000,000.00 plus parts. :lol:
     

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