scoobee001
Junior Member
Its been a few months since I did this, but I am finally getting around to posting it. I removed the OEM side steps from my 2013 1500 crew cab and installed the AMP Power Steps in their place. I did the install myself, and overall it wasn't difficult.
If you are going to do this, here are a few tips:
Don't install the motors until the very end.
Keep all the bolts for the body loose until everything is adjusted and fits.
By "adjusting", I mean bouncing on them like a sugared up kid in a bouncy house.
People have reported that they needed to modify the pinch weld to get the steps to fit. If you follow the directions as written, it will inevitable cause you to modify the pinch weld as the motors will pull the step up and pin it against the body. I learned that the hard way. SO learn from me. leave the motors off and leave things loose till you manually get the steps adjusted then tighten it all down. It will fit.
On to the mod
I couldn't bring myself to drilling through the body for the lights. I live in Northwest PA which has wonderful winters. I'd like to not intentionally cause a spot for rust to start. So after some thinking, this is what I did.
I bought some angled LED channel, and LED tape.
Channel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DM7GBIM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
LED Tape: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0132NME6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I mounted it inside the pinch weld and between the step mount arms with doublesided tape.
Here is how it turned out.
I used the Power Step light wires for the LED tape so they go on and off with the steps.
If you are going to do this, here are a few tips:
Don't install the motors until the very end.
Keep all the bolts for the body loose until everything is adjusted and fits.
By "adjusting", I mean bouncing on them like a sugared up kid in a bouncy house.
People have reported that they needed to modify the pinch weld to get the steps to fit. If you follow the directions as written, it will inevitable cause you to modify the pinch weld as the motors will pull the step up and pin it against the body. I learned that the hard way. SO learn from me. leave the motors off and leave things loose till you manually get the steps adjusted then tighten it all down. It will fit.
On to the mod
I couldn't bring myself to drilling through the body for the lights. I live in Northwest PA which has wonderful winters. I'd like to not intentionally cause a spot for rust to start. So after some thinking, this is what I did.
I bought some angled LED channel, and LED tape.
Channel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DM7GBIM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
LED Tape: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0132NME6O/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I mounted it inside the pinch weld and between the step mount arms with doublesided tape.
Here is how it turned out.
I used the Power Step light wires for the LED tape so they go on and off with the steps.
