Mopar Power Running Board - DIY?

[andymax]

Just got a nice deal on a 2019 Laramie. I have a complete, brand new set of OEM power running boards and am looking at installation options.

1. I am more than capable of installing myself...Been a DIYer for 40 years, got the tools, etc. The only things that I'm unsure of are 1.) whether I can use AlfaOBD to program in the sales code so I can control via the Uconnect screen. 2.) is the wiring plug and play or is splicing, etc necessary. Any suggestions/insight would be very appreciated.

2. Has anyone had their dealer install these after purchase? If so, what did it cost and do you have any issues/suggestions? If this is in the couple-hundred dollar range it may pay to have the dealer do it and save me from a cold garage floor.

Thank you all for any help!

 

[Jimmy07]

Is this for a 2019 1500, or HD Ram? The 5th gen 1500s have a factory mopar kit that includes the steps, power side step module, and the plug n play wiring harness. The HDs don’t offer a factory kit, and therefore don’t offer a harness to install after the fact, you have to custom build it. Yes, AlfaOBD will enable the power side steps.

 

[andymax]

Yeah, I suppose more detail would help! It is a 2019 1500 Crew and I believe I have the entire kit already. Kit part number is 82215287AC.

 

[TestPilot57]

When I ordered my '20 the power steps were not available from the factory with the package(s) I chose. So the dealer ordered the steps separately from the factory and installed them when the truck arrived. They spent literally all day trying to get them to work. They could make them manually work by applying power to the steps, but not automatically by opening/closing the doors or the U-Connect. They eventually talked to someone from Mopar tech and were told they were incompatible.

So I got AMP Research ones and they work fine. Although I do wish they could be controlled through U-Connect.

 

[Jimmy07]

Yeah, I suppose more detail would help! It is a 2019 1500 Crew and I believe I have the entire kit already. Kit part number is 82215287AC.

It’s actually pretty simple, and way easier than installing the amps, because the steps are already preassembled. I takes about 10 minutes to bolt them on out of the box. Routing the harness is pretty straight forward, too. Then , just use AlfaOBD to enable the settings, or let the dealer add the sales code.

 

[andymax]

When I ordered my '20 the power steps were not available from the factory with the package(s) I chose. So the dealer ordered the steps separately from the factory and installed them when the truck arrived. They spent literally all day trying to get them to work. They could make them manually work by applying power to the steps, but not automatically by opening/closing the doors or the U-Connect. They eventually talked to someone from Mopar tech and were told they were incompatible.

So I got AMP Research ones and they work fine. Although I do wish they could be controlled through U-Connect.

This is very confusing because of so many other stories like Jimmy's. There seems to be anecdotal evidence that they can work just fine, yet here you are with this. So strange...

 

[Jimmy07]

When I ordered my '20 the power steps were not available from the factory with the package(s) I chose. So the dealer ordered the steps separately from the factory and installed them when the truck arrived. They spent literally all day trying to get them to work. They could make them manually work by applying power to the steps, but not automatically by opening/closing the doors or the U-Connect. They eventually talked to someone from Mopar tech and were told they were incompatible.

So I got AMP Research ones and they work fine. Although I do wish they could be controlled through U-Connect.

Most likely they pinned the wires in the wrong spots on the connectors that plug into the power step module. The side steps will actually work exactly like the amp steps by just installing them and plugging them in correctly, without any dealer intervention or bcm programming. The programming just puts the settings in the radio. I wouldn’t use your one off experience with an incompetent dealer to deter someone from installing the factory kit.

 

[TestPilot57]

Most likely they pinned the wires in the wrong spots on the connectors that plug into the power step module. The side steps will actually work exactly like the amp steps by just installing them and plugging them in correctly, without any dealer intervention or bcm programming. The programming just puts the settings in the radio. I wouldn’t use your one off experience with an incompetent dealer to deter someone from installing the factory kit.

Maybe. It certainly wouldn't deter me from attempting to install them if I already had them. But why were they unavailable as a factory installed option in my case? I don't remember the particulars but it seems like if I selected them it changed the engine to E-Torque.

Just a warning.

 

[andymax]

It's supposed to warm nest week, so I think I'll give it a go myself. My SGW module should arrive in a day or two, so I should be good. Whats the worst that can happen?

 

[BNeal]

... Whats the worst that can happen?

BOOM!

 

[andymax]

Well, ya got a point there BNeal...but I'm hoping for a smaller explosion.