Okay, after owning a 2014 Camry, I was pretty disappointed (and embarrassed!) by the OEM horns of my 2016 RAV4 XLE. So after doing a lot of reading on this site, I decided to change them.
I purchased a set of Fiamm El Grande Horns (Part No. 74100) from Amazon. I knew just from looking that I didn’t want to have to remove the entire front-end of the vehicle just to change the horns. So after doing a bit more reading, I found a thread where someone had simply removed the top fasteners and then, using a couple of 2x4’s, held the bodywork out far enough that he could accomplish the mission. Sounded simple enough to me!
So I removed the six fasters that held the top of the bodywork to the vehicle (as you can see from the picture, I had also previously removed the fasteners that held the trim piece over the radiator, but there’s no need to do that since it accomplishes nothing and doesn’t provide any access to the needed area). I also removed the three bolts that hold the top portion of each headlight in place just to loosen up the headlights to make it easier for the bodywork to slide out from under the headlight.
As you can see, I then wedged a couple of pieces of 2x4 in there to make a space large enough for me to get my arms down there to do the necessary work. It was surprisingly easy! One bolt to remove the old horn, pull off the electrical connector, plug the electrical connector back onto the blade of the new horn (it doesn't lock in place as on the OEM horns, but it's a tight enough fit that I don't think it will come off), and bolt the new horn back in place. The center horn is the more difficult simply because it’s in the middle of the vehicle and is lower down, but it’s easy enough. The top horn is located high on the driver’s side and is dead simple. I also didn’t use the red plastic piece included with the horns. It’s just decorative and would be facing the radiator anyway, so it’s really unnecessary. There was also no need for the included relay.
I’ve included a few sound files so you can hear the before and after differences. Since there is only one of me (unfortunately! :laugh ), I was standing behind the driver’s door, pushing the horn and holding my phone forward pointed under the hood, so you’re hearing the horn from the back, but you can still tell there’s an obvious difference between the OEM horns and the Fiamm El Grande horns.
So all in all, this was a very simple mod, much easier than I thought it was going to be considering that apparently some people have removed the entire front fascia just to swap out the horns! I highly recommend it! Here in Tex-Ass, all drivers are extremely courteous and generous toward all others, drivers and pedestrians alike, so there's very little need to actually use the horn for anything other than shooing away the occasional deer standing on the side of the road gazing all doey-eyed at the passing vehicles, but should the need arise, it is nice to have horns that are considerably more substantial sounding than the meep-meep horns provided by our favorite vehicle manufacturer! :surprise
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Remove these six fasteners (and three top bolts for the headlights):
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2x4's holding bodywork out for easy access:
![]()
OEM Horns (factory marked with orange dot):
![]()
Fiamm El Grande Horns installed:
![]()
OEM Horns:
View attachment Before 01.mp3
View attachment Before 02.mp3
Fiamm El Grande Horns:
View attachment After 01.mp3
View attachment After 02.mp3
Hope this information helps!!! C ya!
Ron :nerd
I purchased a set of Fiamm El Grande Horns (Part No. 74100) from Amazon. I knew just from looking that I didn’t want to have to remove the entire front-end of the vehicle just to change the horns. So after doing a bit more reading, I found a thread where someone had simply removed the top fasteners and then, using a couple of 2x4’s, held the bodywork out far enough that he could accomplish the mission. Sounded simple enough to me!
So I removed the six fasters that held the top of the bodywork to the vehicle (as you can see from the picture, I had also previously removed the fasteners that held the trim piece over the radiator, but there’s no need to do that since it accomplishes nothing and doesn’t provide any access to the needed area). I also removed the three bolts that hold the top portion of each headlight in place just to loosen up the headlights to make it easier for the bodywork to slide out from under the headlight.
As you can see, I then wedged a couple of pieces of 2x4 in there to make a space large enough for me to get my arms down there to do the necessary work. It was surprisingly easy! One bolt to remove the old horn, pull off the electrical connector, plug the electrical connector back onto the blade of the new horn (it doesn't lock in place as on the OEM horns, but it's a tight enough fit that I don't think it will come off), and bolt the new horn back in place. The center horn is the more difficult simply because it’s in the middle of the vehicle and is lower down, but it’s easy enough. The top horn is located high on the driver’s side and is dead simple. I also didn’t use the red plastic piece included with the horns. It’s just decorative and would be facing the radiator anyway, so it’s really unnecessary. There was also no need for the included relay.
I’ve included a few sound files so you can hear the before and after differences. Since there is only one of me (unfortunately! :laugh ), I was standing behind the driver’s door, pushing the horn and holding my phone forward pointed under the hood, so you’re hearing the horn from the back, but you can still tell there’s an obvious difference between the OEM horns and the Fiamm El Grande horns.
So all in all, this was a very simple mod, much easier than I thought it was going to be considering that apparently some people have removed the entire front fascia just to swap out the horns! I highly recommend it! Here in Tex-Ass, all drivers are extremely courteous and generous toward all others, drivers and pedestrians alike, so there's very little need to actually use the horn for anything other than shooing away the occasional deer standing on the side of the road gazing all doey-eyed at the passing vehicles, but should the need arise, it is nice to have horns that are considerably more substantial sounding than the meep-meep horns provided by our favorite vehicle manufacturer! :surprise
Remove these six fasteners (and three top bolts for the headlights):
2x4's holding bodywork out for easy access:
OEM Horns (factory marked with orange dot):
Fiamm El Grande Horns installed:
OEM Horns:
View attachment Before 01.mp3
View attachment Before 02.mp3
Fiamm El Grande Horns:
View attachment After 01.mp3
View attachment After 02.mp3
Hope this information helps!!! C ya!
Ron :nerd
