Amp research steps

[rubberneck]

Ordered up the Amp research steps for dad's 06 from electricstep.com . In talking with the guys when ordering they mentioned that in the directions it tells you to break into the harness up under the dash to tap into the wires to control the steps. They said there is not enough room to cut and solder as the instruction tell you to and that they recomened using wire taps. Call me anal, but i hate wire taps. I know they will be in the cab and less likely to cause issues, but i still hate them. Anybody got any better ideas? I have been considering putting in another switch at each door like the Kodiak steps do. Any opinions? Does anybody know of some real clean door jamb switches?

 

[fozzy]

I did not cut the wires, just striped the sheath off and wrapped the control box wires around the factory wires then soldered. It is very tight to get in their. When you find the wire loom that has the control wires in it their is a plastic loom holder up and behind the brake pedal. Pop that out and it will give you a few more inches of wire. You might break the holder but it is ok, the loom stays up their. If you have a good iron and patience you can do it.

 

[ScottLewis]

FWIW, I have the AMP boards on my '06 and find that I would like a cut out to keep them from activating everytime a door opens or closes. I've even contacted AMP to learn how to install a switch to turn them off.

You might consider a switch to activate them just when you want then instead of full time. That would save a heap of wiring headache and would reduce the need to syncronize entry and egress from the truck.



Dan

 

[NPloysa]

Slightly off topic but do you guys have retracted and lowered step photos?



Nick



And Fozzy, that is a sexy truck! The Megas look long without a lift, the 6" is a perfect proportion! I am lifting mine 2" in the rear, and 3" in the front, and will probably only fit 33"s but I told her if I get the Amp steps, the 6" lift won't be a hassle!



Nick

 

[ScottLewis]

Nick:

I can't figure out how to include pictures. E-mail me at -- email address removed -- and I'll send a couple of pics of the steps to you.



Dan

 

[ScottLewis]

Nice pics. The main advantage to my pics is that my truck is the same color as Nick's and his wife will probably think he already has the steps on.



Dan

 

[rubberneck]

I did not cut the wires, just striped the sheath off and wrapped the control box wires around the factory wires then soldered. It is very tight to get in their. When you find the wire loom that has the control wires in it their is a plastic loom holder up and behind the brake pedal. Pop that out and it will give you a few more inches of wire. You might break the holder but it is ok, the loom stays up their. If you have a good iron and patience you can do it.

Cool, thanks for the info. I had not actually looked up under there myself to see how tight it was, i just wanted some feedback. the guy said there was no way to do it, but i kind of figured we may be able to since the instructions say you can. I find a lot of time that professional installers say it cant be done more because of how long it will take to do it correctly rather than it really cant be done. I guess if i was trying to make money on the install i might say it cant be done either. LOL Oh well we only have to do it once.

 

[rubberneck]

FWIW, I have the AMP boards on my '06 and find that I would like a cut out to keep them from activating everytime a door opens or closes. I've even contacted AMP to learn how to install a switch to turn them off.

You might consider a switch to activate them just when you want then instead of full time. That would save a heap of wiring headache and would reduce the need to syncronize entry and egress from the truck.



Dan

Dad had already thought of this as it would not be good to have the steps come down when putting the truck up on the hoist. He is going to put a normally closed relay on the power wire for the steps. that way when he hits the override switch, it opens the circuit and cuts power to the steps.

 

[ScottLewis]

AMP Research staff suggested installing the switch on the ground wire to the power module as a cutout. I'm not sure why there but that's what he suggested. BTW, my wife says to tell everyone that the power step is "fantastic". She does have shorter legs than me.



Dan

 

[fozzy]

My wife loves them to, I had to buy the steps before I could lift my truck. "No steps, no lift". I had them on my last truck and she never wants to go with out them again. By the way AMP also makes a 2" drop extension for the steps, any body use it?

 

[rubberneck]

AMP Research staff suggested installing the switch on the ground wire to the power module as a cutout. I'm not sure why there but that's what he suggested. BTW, my wife says to tell everyone that the power step is "fantastic". She does have shorter legs than me.



Dan

Cool, thanks for the info, i will pass it along to dad. Not sure why it would matter if it was the ground or power side, but may as well go with the recomendation of the guys that built them.

 

[Hercules130]

I had a switch installed inline with the power lead i think. the switch is to the left of the steering column. no problems here, i did have to get a motor replaced under warranty though.