• Mod: On/Off Toggle Switch

• Time required: 15 min

• Cost: $6 CAD

• Supplier: Canadian Tire

NOTE: This is just one step in the installation of Dixie Air Horns

There are various options for hooking up aftermarket horns. I chose to have a separate switch rather than connecting it to the factory button because I just want to use it for fun. Plus, the air horns take a second to wind up and that might not be too good in an emergency situation. 

My first idea was to have a floor mounted switch next to the dead pedal much like the high beam switch on my '76 Le Mans. This would allow me to keep the button pressed so that the entire series of notes could play. My second idea was that instead of using a momentary switch like a standard horn button and having to hold it down, why not use a toggle switch and just turn the horn off after it finished playing. I decided to use the toggle switch.

Mounting the Horn Switch

Tools used: screwdriver, masking tape, 1/2" drill bit (sized to match switch), utility knife

The easiest place to mount the toggle switch was in the center console underneath the passenger heated-seat control. It's a blank spot for a button and I think in right-hand-drive countries, the ASR button is moved there. Apparently some places in Europe use that button for the power rear shade that we don't get here. I know for sure that German cab companies can order a button that controls the interior lights. (If you do a search for "6th switch" over at ClubB5, there's somebody who's selling these buttons.) I didn't need or want anything that looked too stealthy--I wanted something that would make people wonder what it was. Now, a nitrous switch, that would be different story ! 

Procedure

• Removing the blank button cover is easy because it just pries out. Be gentle and don't use too much force or else you may scratch the center console. I just used a little screwdriver and wiggled it in at the top to get the cover out.

It's easy to drill the hole. First I taped the surface of the cover and marked the location and drilled a pilot hole. My drill was running out of power, and that was actually good because I could then just hold the cover in my hand and use the 1/2" bit slowly to complete the hole. Remember, work safe! It made a pretty clean cut. (I apologize for all the flowery paper, I just grabbed the first newspaper flyer I could get to catch the debris.)  Don't worry if you mess up. Luckily I didn't need it, but a new cover piece from the dealership is only $3 CAD. The part number is: 3B0-858-180-A-2AQ
This is the back side. The middle clip has a support piece that extends into the center of the cover. You can see where I cut it so that the switch would fit properly. When the switch is there it sits flat against the clip so there is no reduction in support.
This is the cover with the toggle switch installed. Note: the toggle switch in this picture is placed upside down.
The cover just snaps back into position.