AMP Running Boards

[ACerf]

After reading the article in the latest TDR with regards to the
editors choice of running boards. I am convinced that
my Luverne running boards would have been a better choice,
why? Cost, looks and durability. Not to mention that they protect
the underside of the doors and bed from rocks and other
debris. He mentioned the wow effect, there is no wow unless
they are out from under the truck. Otherwise they are out of
site. Not much wow there! However, I have people telling me all
the time how good my Luverne running boards look! It is
stainless steel, no moving parts and they are always ready for
you to step on them. No waiting for it to retract! Not to mention
that if I want to step on the running board to get into the bed, I
don't have to open a door.

 

[PatrickMarshall]

Guess it's a matter of choice. I had always had the exterior type running boards on my trucks and figured they were OK. Hey, they did the job, provided a step and kept some of the road grime off the lower cab of the truck. But when I decided to purchase my 07' Megacab I did some research and found that the AMP running boards provided almost twice the load capacity of the other types of running boards on the market at the time. Which translated into both the front seat passenger and the rear seat passenger could use the steps at the same time. I had read nothing but good reviews on the AMP running boards and liked the fact they folded up out of the way when not in use. Seeing how the price was almost twice as much I decided to go for it. Now eight years later, I am very happy I went with the AMP running boards. They have held up well, with little or no maintenance. Have never broke down, and as far as waiting for them to extend or retract... that is a non-issue. By the time you have your door open the step has already folded down, and when you close the door, they fold right up! Like I said, it's a matter of choice, for the future installing AMP Research power steps is the first add I will do on any truck I own in the future.

 

[seafish]

Still loving the AMP steps on my truck...they are still working flawlessly after 6 years, and NO dings or dents from running into things hidden in the grass while off road. I wouldn't go any other way on my truck.

 

[ACerf]

I suppose these AMP running boards have a purpose. But since Marshall's truck was so plain looking, and frankly the black wheels don't look that great with the white trucks. It needed some chrome, at least something shiny! But I have not been a fan of the black look anyway. I think that this is why I think that the stainless running boards would have given the truck some personally. Also, I have been around RV's with the electric steps and they don't always work the why they should. The micro switches have been know to not work every time. I don't know how many times I had this happen over the years, where I could have stepped out into the air! Hopefully the AMP switches are better. But anything that is stuck under a truck better be good, because it is going to be beat up! For me I will stick to my Luverne running boards, they look good, they make the truck look good, will last forever and they don't have any moving parts!

 

[ScottLewis]

My AMP steps have been on over 8 years and still work fine. The passenger side has failed to deploy twice in over 105K miles, both times when outside temps have exceeded 100*f. In both cases they worked again when it cooled down.
I love both the look and the fact they are strong and are better spaced between the truck and the ground than any fixed boards I've stepped on.

Most importantly, my wife likes them and she picked them out to be installed before we took delivery of the truck. We're both in our 70's so the steps are great for our old legs.

 

[AEdelheit]

I love my Amp steps and would never put fixed tube steps on again, and ive had them do more body damage when a rock rubbed one and pushed it into the door, without the step there would have been atleast 4+" of clearance.

 

[TDRGuy]

Love the AMP steps, love black wheels on a white truck. Everyone is different.

How about some pictures of ....wait, time to start a new thread rather than hijack this one.

RP

 

[chipster]

my amp steps were installed when i purchased my 06 from Dave Smith in 06. I am close to 300 lbs and now have 216k on the clock and no problems with the steps. They are a 10+ in my book. There are always choices for a purchase, good, better, best, I made a great choice.
chip

 

[TDRGuy]

Chip, glad to hear the steps hold-up over time.

RP

 

[RGuidice]

After action report: Amp powersteps were installed successfully on my 2015 ED and they work great. Some things I learned as a DIY installer are that the instructions are written for a gas powered RAM and there are significant differences with the ED. Thanks to the Genos guys for the install video. It shows the alternate location for the wire passthrough to the cab (emerg brake grommet). It's virtually impossible to use the main wire bundle grommet because the ED has an extra fuse/relay box behind the battery, blocking access. They suggested going into the wire bundle in the door sill to slice the four control wires but looking at the bundle, it appeared I would have to separate all the wires to get the right four so I just follwed the written instructions. A 6' 1" guy managed to get under the dash to find the connectors and wires to splice which were located and colored as depicted in the instructions. The big surprise was that on the 2015 ED and probably the 2014, there is a large connector exactly where the motor for the driver side step has to reside. You have to remove the bracket from the frame, remove the connector and relocate it forward using zip ties. The last issue I ran into was that the two or three layers of metal in the pinch weld are not even along the bottom and if I did another one I would get the grinder and even up the bottom all the way and save the trouble of finding out the step won't clear the body on retraction. Even with the tweaking, the step only clears by about 1/16 of an inch. Also, I have mopar mud flaps front and back which now seems like a good idea to keep the mud/water from splashing up around the motors. Anyway, everyone loves the finished product and I hope it lasts the life of the vehicle.

Bob

All diesel family
2015 ED bighorn crew cab, 2wd rambox
2014 Jetta TDI wagon

 

[jerboy]

They will be an option on the 2019 rams.

 

[Regcabguy]

The AMP's are unbeatable. Strong,nearly silent and work great.

 

[Bob4x4]

Just a heads up the amp step plug and play models do not work on the 18's.I am suspecting the new security module is blocking their acess.

 

[Whitewolf]

They're on my list of 'gotta haves'.

 

[Big.Blue]

After action report: Amp powersteps were installed successfully on my 2015 ED and they work great. Some things I learned as a DIY installer are that the instructions are written for a gas powered RAM and there are significant differences with the ED. Thanks to the Genos guys for the install video. It shows the alternate location for the wire passthrough to the cab (emerg brake grommet). It's virtually impossible to use the main wire bundle grommet because the ED has an extra fuse/relay box behind the battery, blocking access. They suggested going into the wire bundle in the door sill to slice the four control wires but looking at the bundle, it appeared I would have to separate all the wires to get the right four so I just follwed the written instructions. A 6' 1" guy managed to get under the dash to find the connectors and wires to splice which were located and colored as depicted in the instructions. The big surprise was that on the 2015 ED and probably the 2014, there is a large connector exactly where the motor for the driver side step has to reside. You have to remove the bracket from the frame, remove the connector and relocate it forward using zip ties. The last issue I ran into was that the two or three layers of metal in the pinch weld are not even along the bottom and if I did another one I would get the grinder and even up the bottom all the way and save the trouble of finding out the step won't clear the body on retraction. Even with the tweaking, the step only clears by about 1/16 of an inch. Also, I have mopar mud flaps front and back which now seems like a good idea to keep the mud/water from splashing up around the motors. Anyway, everyone loves the finished product and I hope it lasts the life of the vehicle.

Bob

All diesel family
2015 ED bighorn crew cab, 2wd rambox
2014 Jetta TDI wagon

Bob
I bought and installed a set of AMP power steps, with the OSB port plug in connection wire, on my 2015 Eco Diesel as soon as I got it home from the dealer. Right from the start I had trouble not only with the junction box on the driver side floor but with the connector on the drive motor hitting the floor on the passenger side. I contacted AMI and was told by their engineer that the only fix for the junction box was to move it and tie it up with wire. For the connector on the passenger side, take a hammer and dimple the floor until it clears??? I asked if I could return the steps and get my money back that for the price doing a jury rigging was not going to happen on a brand new truck. Since I had already installed the flange nuts, which was now not removeable at all, that I couldn't. I did spend some time and find that you can index the motor and gear box on the step drives, on either side, to a spot where they will clear everything. When you remove the gear box from the mount there are already holes with what I call a soft plug that can be knocked out very easy and give you several new positions to re bolt the gear box in. As for the motor, remove the two through bolts, lift the outer motor housing up to clear the lower flange, turn it until the electrical connector is 180' from where it was, bolt the motor housing back together and it will clear the floor with room to spare. I contacted AMP and asked if they would be interested in what I had done along with pictures, their answer, we have engineers on the payroll that does that, evidentially they where behind in the problem with their steps fitting properly on the 2015 Eco Diesel. The AMP step is a good product, I like them, I think they are way overpriced-especially when they don't fit and the factory is of no help in making them work or refunding your money. I would like to get a set for my old Duramax but they don't make them anymore. I do have pictures of what I did if anyone has interest and a mail box that will except them, took quite a few in correcting AMP's problem. I am no aware or heard of what AMP came up with for a fix on both of these problems. If any one knows I would appreciate hearing from them.

Big Blue
2015 Laramie Eco Diesel
4x4 crew cab with ram boxes
2006 2500HD stretch cab
4x4 Duramax