side steps (power) vs tubes/bars

[ilovetrains]

Need something for the family to step on while getting in and out. Noticed the dealer book shows a set of power retracting steps for QC. Nice looking, no idea how much. Aftermarket shop says 1400 installed on some made by Bestop.



Or I could do the tubular kind for about 400.



Recomendations?



Anyone know the cheapest place to get the factory ones?

 

[AMink]

Check into the Kodiak steps from Geno's. A set is about $300, I think. I put them on my 12v and like them alot. There is also another company that make retractable rails for all four doors, but I can't recall their name. It will come up here eventually. I like the retractables because I'm not always on the paved road. With that long wheelbase, it's easy to whack the door sills, let alone something that is hanging down another 4-5 inches.

 

[Hercules130]

the full length mopar ones you are talking about is 1695, at least at the dealer here. i am pretty sure they are AMP researcher powersteps with some rams heads on them. i need to get a quote from tom on those

 

[Metalaram]

steps

the full legnth steps are designed by amp reasearch (very smart people) and built and distributed by bestop. they are not cheap. mine were about 1400. 00 installed last year. the two things i can say are they work awsome i got them for my financee and her 6 now 7 year old daughter. they love them no more complaining getting in or out. also out of all the things i have done to and the butt load of money i have spent on my ram the steps are the first thing people notice about my truck. well worth the money!!!

 

[AMink]

AMP Research were the ones I couldn't remember the name of. I saw some on a P/S- they tuck WAY up under, looked slick.

 

[Matt400]

Do the AMP steps power down or free fall, I am just curious how they would react if they went down on something in the way?



I know they have a safety (anti pinch) built in on the up mode.

 

[TEdwards]

They do power down and they have a saftey system so no pinch points. They are currently back ordered and have been since March, I have been waiting but no steps. .

 

[ilovetrains]

are the amp research different than the Bestop? The dealer qouted 1600 installed for the Mopar branded ones, 200 more than the bestop.

 

[Jeff Clark]

I have them too. I didn't want anything visable. Well worth the money.

 

[Matt400]

Nice to help wash the truck.

Can you leave them down without a door open?

 

[Jeff Clark]

They only go up if the door is shut all the way. If you just slightly latch it (know what I mean?) they stay down. Makes a nice step-up to dry or clean the windshield.

 

[NLamke]

How well do the powered steps work in the winter? Have any problems with ice build up or snow preventing them from working properly?

 

[ilovetrains]

I was just wondering that. Seems like slush would build up underneeth and then they would either not deploy or stick down.

 

[ilovetrains]

Do the AMP research have any kind of lighting?

 

[Jeff Clark]

Do the AMP research have any kind of lighting?

Do you mean running lights? If so, then no. The boards are completely out of sight when retracted. If you mean assistance lighting (making them visable in the dark), it's really not needed. I find that the interior light sheds enough on the board when the door is open. It wouldn't be difficult to add some lights that come on when the door is open and the board folds down.

 

[ilovetrains]

September?

Apparently the Bestop brand are made by AMP. My guy says he cannot get them until September. Popular, I guess.

 

[Matt400]

I tried out a set that were installed on a lifted 2500 at a dealer last night and all I can say is. . WoW! Spendy but what a way to sell the wife- hey hooney, come over and try out these!