If the wire in the steering column was hot 12V + and you hit the horn button .... a dead short and blown fuse would have occured, thus letting factory smoke out of the wires. Currently NO kits are available to to re-install factory smoke.
The Ret. Wrench is correct.
The column button simply completes the ground circuit for the horn when pushed. 41 vs. ?? year truck really does not matter .... wiring and making it go, all use the same type (in theory) systems. Voltage to points, gen./ alt'r, heater, lights, horn or radio.
The relay system (works on all these systems, but the higher draw systems should use it), is by far the best system to use. They didn't have these type relays 'way back when' so keeping your truck stock also means safety and reliability on your part.
Use the relay ... my $.02
Ps let me look at home for the 'how to' diagrams.
But I just googled this, forget it says M/C and does not say chevy truck but it applies:
http://www.armchair.mb.ca/wings/relays/ the system won't allow me to edit my $.02
So I forgot to mention this important part...
you have to insulate the horn from the body or metal mounting position, ((I used wood) so when you hook +12V to the horn, only the horn button ground path works the sound.
