Upgrading the Rivian horn -- how-to DIY video

[Nuclianba]

Had a close call on the freeway 2 weeks ago, 99% sure the guy didn't even hear the horn on the truck. The single tone setup just didn't sit well with me, especially because its so easy/cheap to add a second tone and help things break through the traffic noise. I'd seen other threads discussing this but no documentation, so I filmed as I did my install to create a guide for others looking to do the same:



Luckily, adding a second high tone at 500 Hz is straightforward: $30 worth of stuff and ~1 hour of time.

WHAT I BOUGHT:
I went for a standard 400Hz/500Hz dual tone setup, using the current horn on the Rivian as the low tone. Don't buy a 400Hz horn...you already have this on the truck!
Horn: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VU51C6
Leads: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVJR31Z
Connectors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC8THCG8

BONUS: During the install I found the 12V wires in the harness for a 12V outlet in the frunk tub (recent builds don't have this outlet) on a summer 2023 truck. Future project!

Haven't had anybody almost merge in to me yet in traffic since, so can't say if it works any better, but I feel better! Hope it proves useful to somebody else.

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[KBabione]

Thanks for making the time to video what you did to add a second horn. I agree it is a safety concern because people won't hear it. Your video shows just how easy it would be to add a horn and that you need only some basic wiring skills. You may not be a pro at video work, but it was effective.

The 12V find is interesting, but the only thing I could ever imagine powering in the frunk would be an electric cooler and there have been a lot of posts about how it needs more airflow to cool effectively in the frunk.

 

[Nuclianba]

The 12V find is interesting, but the only thing I could ever imagine powering in the frunk would be an electric cooler and there have been a lot of posts about how it needs more airflow to cool effectively in the frunk.

Yeah totally agree, I'm not sure why I need 12 volts in the frunk. Sorta trying to invent a use case just to justify the project haha.

 

[ajmriv]

Great video. Have been wanting to do this but did not know where to start. Thanks again for making the video.

 

[CardiacR1S]

Thanks for the video and guide. Did u check the decibel level before and after? Mine sounds anemic when inside with windows up, but decibels hit 126 when I tested it with an app.

 

[R1Thor]

It's really cool you did this. Really cool.

Might I ask: Please turn your phone SIDEWAYS next time you film something like this (or at all)!
Obligatory Glove & Boots PSA

 

[Nuclianba]

It's really cool you did this. Really cool.

Might I ask: Please turn your phone SIDEWAYS next time you film something like this (or at all)!
Obligatory Glove & Boots PSA

Haha yeah like I said you get what you pay for

 

[EarlyAdptr]

Great job for someone who doesn't do this much! Very clear explanations. Thank you!

 

[moosetags]

That's a great video. You did a very thorough job of showing how to remove the frunk tub. You also show how to get the trim pieces loose around the tub. This information is very useful to show how to access the whole under frunk hood area.

Thank you so much for posting this video to the Forums.

Brian

 

[Kurt44]

My R1T arrives in two weeks, I read about the horn and was wondering what to do... Thank you for posting!

 

[RexRemus]

 

[Garzee]

Had a close call on the freeway 2 weeks ago, 99% sure the guy didn't even hear the horn on the truck. The single tone setup just didn't sit well with me, especially because its so easy/cheap to add a second tone and help things break through the traffic noise. I'd seen other threads discussing this but no documentation, so I filmed as I did my install to create a guide for others looking to do the same:



Luckily, adding a second high tone at 500 Hz is straightforward: $30 worth of stuff and ~1 hour of time.

WHAT I BOUGHT:
I went for a standard 400Hz/500Hz dual tone setup, using the current horn on the Rivian as the low tone. Don't buy a 400Hz horn...you already have this on the truck!
Horn: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VU51C6
Leads: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVJR31Z
Connectors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC8THCG8

BONUS: During the install I found the 12V wires in the harness for a 12V outlet in the frunk tub (recent builds don't have this outlet) on a summer 2023 truck. Future project!

Haven't had anybody almost merge in to me yet in traffic since, so can't say if it works any better, but I feel better! Hope it proves useful to somebody else.

Why not replace the factory horn with a dual tone horn and skip the extra wire harness work?

 

[Nuclianba]

Why not replace the factory horn with a dual tone horn and skip the extra wire harness work?

I like that the factory horn is oriented forward/out the front of the vehicle and projects noise forward, so I wanted to keep it. There isn't anything wrong with that horn, its loud and is halfway there. There is also limited space to mount something new, I'm not sure a double tone horn would fit where I located my second tone, maybe not sure.

Also you'll have to do wire work regardless. The harness won't extend to the location I put the second horn, so if you mounted a complete dual tone unit there you'd still need a pigtail to reach (and if you somehow fit in the same spot as the current horn, which requires a lot more disassembly to get to and remove/replace, you'd also need to find an aftermarket that uses the same connector...maybe its the same as another OEM I dunno, I didn't really bother looking very hard)

 

[rbr19870445]

So here's a legit question. If Rivian can change the lock tone, couldn't they theoretically augment the horn with the existing outward facing speakers on the truck?

 

[Iamuwere]

So here's a legit question. If Rivian can change the lock tone, couldn't they theoretically augment the horn with the existing outward facing speakers on the truck?

I can't imagine a way where that speaker could ever be as loud as a real horn.

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