Did these trucks have dual horns?

[Tom Vogel]

Ive got a 72 2wd Jimmy with a Cheyanne package. When I took it apart to restore, it had the 2 horns you see in the picture. I sent them off to restore, and the guy at the horn restore place seemed to think it was unusual for the truck to have dual horns. Well, I got them back and began to think, maybe someone just stuck an extra horn on here.
Whats the story/opinion of the experts on here. The picture you see is how the horns that were there were positioned. Is that right or no. ??

[Lee H]

I'm certainly no expert, my 72 custom has dual horns. Wiring harness looks stock, I have no reason to think it was hacked in.
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[dan42]

They came with 2 horns - I believe it was for more volume, and to get the proper pitch.
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[custom1970]

Definitely was an option, look at the wire going to the second horn. The wire should be green and plug into the harness right at the first horn. That wire/harness would be hard to make if the horn was added. In the pic the original second horn connector wire is original and a dull green, the bright green wire is part of a new harness i put in.

[turp mcspray]

I have found dual horns on cst/cheyenne models, but not on the plain trucks.

[OSM 70 C20]

I found 2 horns in my 70 C20, I thought someone may have just put in a replacement & didn't take out the old one.

[leddzepp]

Dual horns, one hi, one low

[RenoKeene]

U08 Dual Horn

[OSM 70 C20]

Maybe mine was just a replacement.

[FirstOwner69]

Here's what the literature says (for whatever that's worth):

1969 and before- Not available. In fact, my early 69 CST/20 does not even have the provision (hole and weld-nut below left headlight) on the core support for the high note horn.
1970- Not available per the literature. However, I believe dual horns may have become available as an option during the model run.
1971- Included as part of Custom Deluxe, Cheyenne & Cheyenne Super option packages. No indication of availability as a stand alone option.
1972- Literature does not mention even as part of the higher level trim packages nor standard equipment. I THINK dual horns were standard on all the 1972 trucks.

The literature I referenced is at www.gmheritagecenter.com

[omodified]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Here's what the literature says (for whatever that's worth):

1970- Not available per the literature. However, I believe dual horns may have become available as an option during the model run.

The literature I referenced is at www.gmheritagecenter.com

Mine is a 1970 and it is listed on the SPID as U08.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by omodified

Mine is a 1970 and it is listed on the SPID as U08.

Your SPID and RenoKeene's would seem to indicate that dual horns were available as a stand alone option starting sometime during the 1970 model production. Interesting, however, is that RenoKeene's SPID (GMC?) indicates his is a 1970 CST and the dual horn is a separate option, and OSM 70 C20's SPID (Chevy)does not list the horns, but does have the Custom Comfort and Convenience Equipment that would have included the dual horns in 1971.

Just another great GM mystery!!!

[NoNeck]

The guys are right. The dual horns were an option even for the 1970's. My son's '70 GMC lists the U08 Dual Horn option on the SPID. The wiring is all original and comes directly from the harness.

If I remember correctly (I was 21 in 1970) this was another government safety mandate that was phased in during the early 70's. I believe it was part of the side safety marker lights and precursor to the 15 mph bumpers in 1973.

NoNeck

[406 Q-ship]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

The guys are right. The dual horns were an option even for the 1970's. My son's '70 GMC lists the U08 Dual Horn option on the SPID. The wiring is all original and comes directly from the harness.

If I remember correctly (I was 21 in 1970) this was another government safety mandate that was phased in during the early 70's. I believe it was part of the side safety marker lights and precursor to the 15 mph bumpers in 1973.

NoNeck

It is not a madated equipment. My 1971 Monte Carlo is a single horn, nor was my 1972 Chevelle a dual horn car. It would have come alot later in the 1970's.

[Tom Vogel]

Thanks Guys, I guess they are legit. hmm lol

[OSM 70 C20]

Crazy, never thought my 1st posts would be on a subject like this

[NoNeck]

It is not a madated equipment. My 1971 Monte Carlo is a single horn, nor was my 1972 Chevelle a dual horn car. It would have come alot later in the 1970's.

Yes, it WAS a government mandate. In order to allow the manufacturers time to retool, generally the MANDATES were phased in over a 10-YEAR PERIOD.

In 1967, the Department of Highway Safety MANDATED that all vehicles manufactured or imported to the US be required to have the following safety features by the end of 1977;
High-Decibel Warning Horns (could be either dual horns or High-Decibel single)
Amber, Yellow or Red Side Marker Reflectors
15 MPH Crash Resistant Bumpers, Front and Rear
3 point Seat Belts (across the shoulder)
Catalytic Convertor Emissions Control
...and probably a few more. Those are the ones I remember.

Again, these MANDATES were phased in over 10 years. They began as options on the build sheets, but by 1977 they were required. Remember those ugly bumpers on the '75 Monte Carlos and Cutlass?

NoNeck

[Tom Vogel]

Wouldnt it be great if Congress mandated no more mandates?

[406 Q-ship]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

Yes, it WAS a government mandate. In order to allow the manufacturers time to retool, generally the MANDATES were phased in over a 10-YEAR PERIOD.

In 1967, the Department of Highway Safety MANDATED that all vehicles manufactured or imported to the US be required to have the following safety features by the end of 1977;
High-Decibel Warning Horns (could be either dual horns or High-Decibel single)
Amber, Yellow or Red Side Marker Reflectors
15 MPH Crash Resistant Bumpers, Front and Rear
3 point Seat Belts (across the shoulder)
Catalytic Convertor Emissions Control
...and probably a few more. Those are the ones I remember.

Again, these MANDATES were phased in over 10 years. They began as options on the build sheets, but by 1977 they were required. Remember those ugly bumpers on the '75 Monte Carlos and Cutlass?

NoNeck

Yes but DUAL horns were not manditory. I am telling you that two of my cars did not have dual horns that were built in 71 and 72. Those requirements were not phased in over 10 years some were immediate and other came later.

Side Markers was manditory in 1968 (seat belts were required the same year before that they optional) neither of these were a ten year phase in.

Steering wheel interlocking ignition switchs (steering column keyed) was phased in over 2 years for 1969 and 1970 in cars.

They were not 15 MPH but 5 MPH bumpers that were required on the front in 1973 and for the rear in 1975. The current requirement is for 2 1/2 MPH.

Catalytic Converter were never required on any car (still are not today). It has to do with how the vehicles were Emission Certified, if it had cats to meet certification then they have to be on the vehicle. Remember the Subaru ads in the late 1970's and early 80's saying their cars did not require cats, and trucks did not get them on some models until 1986.

[NoNeck]

I give up...

NoNeck

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

I give up...

NoNeck

No use in beating your head against a wall.

[oklalawnboy]

My 72 has dual (high-low) horns. And just so you know Virginia REQUIRED my 84 Bronco to have a catalytic convertor. It didn't have to pass any emissions but had to have the convertor. Added a Cat(hollowed out) from a mid 90's chevy pu and got my inspection passed.

[54blackhornet]

I pulled a set of dual horns off a 70 C20 government ordered pickup. The high note will not work ? Any suggestions on repair ?

[FirstOwner69]

Are you hoping to repair it yourself or have someone do it? I've taken quite a few horns out of junker trucks. The lows are usually good, but the highs are usually inoperable. I think the highs get more water in them due to the mounting position.

The horns are really quite simple, but I've had only fair results doing it myself. When I was restoring my '58 Vette, I had the horns professionally restored. That was in the late '80s, and I don't think he's around anymore. One of the current NCRS magazines has an ad for "The Horn Works" (www.CarHornRestoration.com). The ad says "restoration specialist of collector car horns". Of course these are probably NCRS level restorations. According to the website there is a limited time June special of $195/pair (normally $239/pair). I have no personal experience with him.

[Ol Blue K20]

I like the sound of Cadillac dual horns from the 70's to early 80's. I have them in my Elkie and K20. Very loud and sound manly. ..lol