ecohauler
New member
I rate this upgrade easy. With the proper tools, it should take an experienced mechanic no more than 15 minutes.
Installation Photos
I think we all can agree that the Sonic needs a horn upgrade. Manufacturers think small car => small horn, but in reality we need a loud horn more than other drivers do. So far all of the upgrades I've seen involve Hella horns that require splicing and connecting a relay to handle the additional current. I've found a way to circumvent that by using a factory GM horn.
The 2014/15 Silverado 1500 uses a dual horn with the same connector on a 15A circuit (same as ours). I'm not sure about other suppliers, but eBay seller billcramergm sells the dual horn with the mounting bracket for $33.09 shipped. I imagine you'll get the same thing if you order from any dealer catalog, but I can't confirm this.
For this install, you will need:
-Silverado dual horn (2014/15 with bracket - W/T trim has single horn, the rest are dual.)
-M6x1.0 bolt, about 10-15mm should do the trick.
-10mm wrench (socket or box-end will work)
-T20 torx driver (I prefer the socket type, but there's plenty of room to work if you turn the wheel or take it off)
-Flat tipped screwdriver (optional - for removing nylon rivets)
-Pliers might be helpful for bending the bracket if you have fog lights.
I took the bumper off to take pictures and also upgrade my charge pipes at the same time, but this can be done through the driver side fender liner with the bumper on (another plus). It's 6 torx screws, and you may want to pop a couple of the nylon rivets for extra room. I was able to remove and reinstall the stock horn (and see that an old Buick dual horn I had wouldn't connect) using this method without even removing the wheel.
Note: if you have fog lights, you will likely have to slightly bend the Silverado bracket. There's plenty of space, but I couldn't find a way to fit it without bending. Models without fogs should have no fitment issues.
Installation is pretty simple. Turn the steering wheel all the way right or remove the left-front wheel. Unscrew the front 6 (T20) screws on the fender liner (4 in the wheel well and 2 under the bumper). Pull the liner back to access the horn. Squeeze the electrical connector to pull it off of the horn, and unscrew the nut (10mm) from the back of the horn.
You will need to rearrange the new dual horns on the bracket (also 10mm nuts). They come as shown in the picture, but you'll need to mount one on the center slot and stagger them on opposite sides of the bracket to make them fit. I swear I took a picture of this, but my phone disagrees. You may have to try a few different layouts and bend the bracket as mentioned above.
Using your M6x1.0 bolt and the nut that came off of the stock horn, attach the Silverado bracket with the dual horns to the stock mounting location. Tighten it down (just a little more than finger tight should be plenty) and slide the connector onto the new horn until it clicks. Press the horn to make sure it's working (and because it's fun). Put the fender liner back in place and reinstall the screws, and you're done.
Sound comparison (YouTube video)
Installation Photos
I think we all can agree that the Sonic needs a horn upgrade. Manufacturers think small car => small horn, but in reality we need a loud horn more than other drivers do. So far all of the upgrades I've seen involve Hella horns that require splicing and connecting a relay to handle the additional current. I've found a way to circumvent that by using a factory GM horn.
The 2014/15 Silverado 1500 uses a dual horn with the same connector on a 15A circuit (same as ours). I'm not sure about other suppliers, but eBay seller billcramergm sells the dual horn with the mounting bracket for $33.09 shipped. I imagine you'll get the same thing if you order from any dealer catalog, but I can't confirm this.
For this install, you will need:
-Silverado dual horn (2014/15 with bracket - W/T trim has single horn, the rest are dual.)
-M6x1.0 bolt, about 10-15mm should do the trick.
-10mm wrench (socket or box-end will work)
-T20 torx driver (I prefer the socket type, but there's plenty of room to work if you turn the wheel or take it off)
-Flat tipped screwdriver (optional - for removing nylon rivets)
-Pliers might be helpful for bending the bracket if you have fog lights.
I took the bumper off to take pictures and also upgrade my charge pipes at the same time, but this can be done through the driver side fender liner with the bumper on (another plus). It's 6 torx screws, and you may want to pop a couple of the nylon rivets for extra room. I was able to remove and reinstall the stock horn (and see that an old Buick dual horn I had wouldn't connect) using this method without even removing the wheel.
Note: if you have fog lights, you will likely have to slightly bend the Silverado bracket. There's plenty of space, but I couldn't find a way to fit it without bending. Models without fogs should have no fitment issues.
Installation is pretty simple. Turn the steering wheel all the way right or remove the left-front wheel. Unscrew the front 6 (T20) screws on the fender liner (4 in the wheel well and 2 under the bumper). Pull the liner back to access the horn. Squeeze the electrical connector to pull it off of the horn, and unscrew the nut (10mm) from the back of the horn.
You will need to rearrange the new dual horns on the bracket (also 10mm nuts). They come as shown in the picture, but you'll need to mount one on the center slot and stagger them on opposite sides of the bracket to make them fit. I swear I took a picture of this, but my phone disagrees. You may have to try a few different layouts and bend the bracket as mentioned above.
Using your M6x1.0 bolt and the nut that came off of the stock horn, attach the Silverado bracket with the dual horns to the stock mounting location. Tighten it down (just a little more than finger tight should be plenty) and slide the connector onto the new horn until it clicks. Press the horn to make sure it's working (and because it's fun). Put the fender liner back in place and reinstall the screws, and you're done.
Sound comparison (YouTube video)
