POWER RUNNING BOARDS

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JEWRAM

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FDEDE1F4-4345-47B0-A654-CB1423F5E275.jpeg first of all hello to all, new member and new ram owner. Bought a 2016 ram 2500 just over 17k miles it has some brand of leveling kit as well as what I can see r metric equivalent to 33”s I am in need of some running boards and am leaning towards power boards as I love the no step look. Any opinions or experience with diff brands. I am leaning towards the RBP extended drop. They r about 15” lower then the door sill as to the standard ones from RBP that are about 12” they claim
 

Eric1976

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Hi, welcome to the forum
I have a 2015 2500 that I bought used and the previous owner installed the Amp Research running boards. I dig em’

I don’t usually care much about that stuff.....and I probably would’ve been fine with standard fixed running boards, but they kinda make me feel like a Jedi..........when I open the door and go to step on them there’s nothing there, but by the time my foot lands it’s already underneath it. It’s one of the most consistently reliable things in my life......except for when it’s not.
Like when the motor burns out, then the running board is always down and I just feel like a guy with unreliable running boards on his truck......which I did for about 3 months before replacing the motor.
And the LED lights that came with them are a purple’ish tone. I think they’re fine, but I can see how other people would prefer them to be..........not purple’ish.
 

KC Cryptkeeper

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I'm running the AMP Research steps and really like them, but either brand you can't go wrong.
 

Outbreak

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I love my AMP boards, but definitely get the ones that plug into your OBD port (and maybe the splitter if you need it). I didn't get the set with the OBD plug and it was a PITA!!!
 

Graygoose

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I got the RBP Stealthboards, love them.
 

PolarisCobra

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How do those hold up in the winter? Are there issues with them getting stuck up or down because of freezing or ice/snow buildup?
 

Graygoose

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How do those hold up in the winter? Are there issues with them getting stuck up or down because of freezing or ice/snow buildup?
This will be my first, granted we don't get a lot of snow.
 

mtnrider

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I love my AMP boards, but definitely get the ones that plug into your OBD port (and maybe the splitter if you need it). I didn't get the set with the OBD plug and it was a PITA!!!

Pain in the butt but from what I have read more reliable. Have seen several reports of the plug and play ones acting weird now and again. I just installed the hard wired ones last week.

.
 

JoeCo

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How do those hold up in the winter? Are there issues with them getting stuck up or down because of freezing or ice/snow buildup?

That's always been my question about them, I've heard they do alright but I just have my doubts when it's been negative temps for a week or two with everything icing over. Everything has its limits, I know my old power folding mirrors on my last truck seemed like they would freeze up below 20 degrees or so, which is why I wondered how these would do. Also a lot of cars with back up cameras that now are hidden and only come out when in reverse, I have to think those will have some issues as well.
 

Jimmyjoe

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I installed the RBP Power Stealth at the end of August. I love them as does my wife and kids. I kept going back and forth between AMP and RBP. One of the deciding factors for me was that the RBP boards have 2 motors for each board, whereas the AMP ones only have 1 motor per board. RBP includes a discount switch to keep the boards from deploying if need be, AMP charges extra for that. RBP boards were a little less expensive then AMP. The RBP led lights are white and do a great job of illuminating the boards.
 

Nick@GotExhaust

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You cant go wrong with either brand. We do sell way more AMP steps than RBP if that means anything.

Let us know if we can help set you up with AMP or RBP. We offer great forum pricing on both. Message me for a quote
 

Eric1976

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I’ve driven through the Sierra Nevada mountains during several snow storms.....was in northern Michigan last winter during a few ice storms, parked overnight in freezing temperatures and never had a problem with my running boards not working properly......that I can recall. It seems like they would be encapsulated in ice at times but for whatever reason I’ve never had a problem with them.
 

Outbreak

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I hardwired mine, took all of 15 minutes. Not sure why everyone says it’s a pain.
I imagine there's a significant difference between a 2010 and a 2017 with the Alpine system (the amp blocks access to where the wires connect and must be removed).
 

2010 Infantry Vet

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I imagine there's a significant difference between a 2010 and a 2017 with the Alpine system (the amp blocks access to where the wires connect and must be removed).
The AMP wires “clip onto” 3 wires inside the TIPM under the hood. At least on my 2010 they did.
 

mtnrider

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The AMP wires “clip onto” 3 wires inside the TIPM under the hood. At least on my 2010 they did.

Not on the newer trucks, you have to get to the body control module under the dash and attach the wiring there. It's a pain in the butt to get to. I actually soldered my connections and then connectorized it so I can unplug it under the dash if I had to for some reason.

It's not horrible but it's hard to get to, not much slack so it takes some time.


.
 

Rebelrouser

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Yeah I'm considering the RBP boards for my Sport as well. I like the idea of two motors per board. Nick too bad you're on the eastern coast of the US regarding pricing/shipping.
 

JB1

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I have had my AMP steps for 2-1/2 years now and they have been flawless. I had mine professionally installed with the plug n play kit 3 days after I bought my truck. Mine haven't been through a snowy winter but they did survive a hurricane lol.
 

Warner R Rohr

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I just put regular tubulars on mine. I do a lot of driving on gravel and some back roads and to much grit gets in and soon they get stuck all the time, especially if you dont get it washed up ROW. I do think the automatics look great but just not convenient for my area
 

DodgeDude99

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I have the Bestop versions, if they were even a consideration to anyone, dont. Their customer service is non-existent for warrantying anything out. As of now I am on my 2nd controller, 2nd harness, and 3rd set of linkages and need another new set.

I also don’t think these things are made to last in snow/salt/ice.
Unless the Amp/RBP ones actually use a sealed bearing for a pivot point instead of a plastic bushing. the issue is the aluminum corrodes, the powder coat flakes off, the corrosion swells and binds the pivot point and the things don’t extend or retract all the way or at all.

Ive see a lot of trucks/SUVs that come stock with some sort of brand that have the same issues around Chicago.
 
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