[xBray]

I love the single reverse light too, and it's one of the reasons I bought a 2010 over a 2011.

I'm thinking of putting a reverse beeper on mine. I don't know if that'll make anyone pay any more attention or not, but I just think it'll be cute, and will add to the "panel truck" aspect of the xB. Plus I already have the beeper, so yay for free mods.

I'm another old guy who bought the car largely because it's easy to get in and out of. Climbing in and out of the Tacoma I had before was a chore. Plus I like weird things.

 

[xBray]

Yep, the instructions for mine show it tapped to a reverse signal wire. I need to check on how much power draw it has to see if it's better used with a relay, but I doubt that's necessary.

Since I wanted it to be a little less loud, when I got the one I have I bought the lower volume one. It's still 87dB if I recall, but others were 90dB or higher.

I haven't checked yet, but I imagine there's already a hole in the frame rails somewhere under the rear of the vehicle to attach it to.

I don't have a spouse to annoy, so I guess the only drawback for me is if I need to go somewhere late at night it may annoy the neighbors.

 

[xBray]

I thought about mounting a switch somewhere under the bumper area as well so I could turn it off if I need to go somewhere late at night. Of course I'll probably forget to ever turn it back on.

The beeper I've had for about 5 years was made by "Acorn Products" who appear to either be out of business or bought by someone. I found out recently that Hella makes them. I can't access the Hella site at the moment, but the only place I found selling them in the US was www.rallylights.com.

 

[xBray]

Hah! There's an O'Reilly about 1/2 mile from me, and I have a friend that works there. The website link says it's not in stock here but they may can order it; I'll have to check.

Using the part number on that page it turns up at Amazon as well though they show 3-6 weeks availability there.

Ok, the Hella site is back up now. There are two Hella 'basic' back up alarms. The one listed at O'Reilly, 009148001, has a frequency of 1200Hz. There is also 009148007 which has a frequency of 120Hz. There are a number of other models but they're all louder or for higher voltages, or variable loudness.

I don't think I can link directly to the Hella catalog site, but from http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaUSA/WebSite/Channels/Home/Home.jsp
on the right there's a "HELLA ONLINE CATALOG" link; the beepers are under Electrics --> Acoustic Signal Devices

 

[xBray]

Mine is Super White and it seems like it's stealth as well...people changing lanes like to cut it close enough it feels like they'll take my front fender with them. Today a Saturn Ion did this to me, and that's hardly bigger than the xB. I figured maybe the color made it worse but if they can't see Murasaki there's no hope.

For non air horns, I've read that both the Hella Supertone and red trumpet horns are pretty loud. The Supertones are claimed to be better for the freeway as they project forward but aren't as loud in other directions, while the trumpets are supposed to be better in city/town traffic. As the latter is what I primarily do I'm considering the trumpets. I've experimented with air horns on another vehicle but I find them too loud and annoying so I'm hoping to get by without those. I want to get people's attention but not tick them off more.

TartanJack: Just in the past day or two I've seen a picture of someone with the Supertones behind a mesh grille and they were mounted symmetrically. I can't remember if the picture is here or on one of the other forums and I can't find it now. I haven't checked the car yet, but from the diagrams in the service manual, aren't the two mounting points symmetrical but they just turn the brackets differently on the two stock horns which is why they look odd?

 

[xBray]

Just as a follow-up, I inquired at my local O'Reilly about both the Hella 009148001 and 009148007 and they couldn't get them for me. It might be different at other O'Reilly locations though.