Power running boards

[FireCaptain]

Are the Ram power running boards worth the extra money compared to the Amp Research? Dealer quoted me $2021 to have them added before I take delivery of the truck. Pretty sure the Amp is around $1500.
Thanks

 

[lpennock]

I believe Mopar are made by AMP. I would use whichever is less expensive.

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[ric221]

I believe that if you have them installed before you take possession of the vehicle. They will be covered under the warranty you get on your vehicle.

 

[HookenNooks]

I just took delivery of my truck with the power deploy boards installed. IMO, covered under warranty and not something you have to add after the fact. Fold the cost into the loan if you can and just have it done when you get it.

Also, the work great, are solid and look the like quality parts!


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[mtnrider]

What kind of integration do the factory steps have with the truck? ie: are there controls on the radio etc. to disable, or manually put them down? If so I would go that route over the amps.
I would also ask the dealer, if they install them is that same level of integration present vs. having them installed from the factory. The dealer may just be throwing amp steps on?


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[oe542bob]

First, AMP DOES NOT make the Mopar boards. Amp does get some kind of money paid because of patent rights for the design. This was told to me from AMP directly when I asked them the question.
Second, if the Mopar boards are installed (at least from the factory), you will have soft button control in the radio screen.
Not sure if it is worth another $500, but that’s up to you. Check to see if the dealer will update your radio with the control buttons if these are installed. I would think they could enter the proper sales code, or maybe it would work if you have AlphaOBD.

 

[mtnrider]

First, AMP DOES NOT make the Mopar boards. Amp does get some kind of money paid because of patent rights for the design.

I was questioning that myself. Have seen many claim that Amp makes them but looking at the design (from the pictures I have seen) they look more like Bestop steps then amp steps. They have that "driveshaft" going from front to back which is the way bestop does their steps.
So unless Amp completely changed their design for the factory steps (have no idea why they would) I have no reason to believe Amp is involved in any way other then maybe getting some patent kickback.

 

[andymax]

Correct, AMP does not make the Mopars, but I believe they used to years ago...which is why that notion persists.

Yes, the dealer can/should absolutely program the BCM with the sales code to fully integrate them into the Uconnect screen. In fact, that is step one on the installation instructions, it even gives the installer the correct sales code to add. The programming is clearly part of the installation, so they should not charge any programming fee. On top of that it takes about two minutes...

$2021 is a LOT of money. First...list price for them is $1525 before installation. Second, most dealers offer a 15% off accessories coupon on their website. If your's doesn't then show them this link: Mopar Coupons & Special Offers | Official Mopar® Site
That brings the uninstalled price below $1300. There's no way it takes a half way decent service tech more than 2.5 hours to install...I know because I did it myself. So add installation...$300ish, and your at 1600 pretax...

If it were me, I'd go back to the dealer and get in touch with the boss of whoever quoted you that much money...kindly explain what you know, and ask them to play ball. If not, you can always find another dealer to do it for you...

 

[mikeru]

What kind of integration do the factory steps have with the truck? ie: are there controls on the radio etc. to disable, or manually put them down? If so I would go that route over the amps.
I would also ask the dealer, if they install them is that same level of integration present vs. having them installed from the factory. The dealer may just be throwing amp steps on?
.

Yes, you can deploy and stow the factory steps from the uconnect screen. My assumption would be that if dealer installed, they will work exactly the same as factory installed steps. But it would definitely be a good question to ask beforehand.

I love the power steps on my Limited. They are actually usable in comparison to any fixed OEM or aftermarket steps I've owned. And I will have them installed if I ever have to replace this truck.

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

If you want to save some money send me a message we can get you a great deal on the AMP steps.

 

[TestPilot57]

Factory steps were not available pre-order on my '20 (some kind of weird option cut-out) so I asked the dealer if they would install the factory ones and would they be covered under the warranty, being installed pre-delivery. Yes on both counts. $1500 and no additional charge for installation.

Took them all day to install them and they couldn't make them work. Presumably the 2nd level Mopar specialist told them they were incompatible. Which both makes sense, and doesn't - makes sense that I couldn't order it that way, but not WHY?!!

They didn't charge me anything and sent the steps back to Mopar.

I bought the AMP ones and had them installed by a local mechanic. Cost me about $1900 all in and they work great. Would it be handy to have them able to operate independent of the door being open? Possibly, but after over a year I haven't been in a situation where it was actually a problem.

 

[oe542bob]

Amp does have a different controller that you can hook up a switch to. The switch has a couple of different positions, for instance, you can keep the boards extended.
I don’t really see where it would be that useful, because if you want to keep the board extended, just put your foot on it and close the door. It will recycle on the next open /close of the door.

 

[DodgeDude99]

I was questioning that myself. Have seen many claim that Amp makes them but looking at the design (from the pictures I have seen) they look more like Bestop steps then amp steps. They have that "driveshaft" going from front to back which is the way bestop does their steps.
So unless Amp completely changed their design for the factory steps (have no idea why they would) I have no reason to believe Amp is involved in any way other then maybe getting some patent kickback.


View attachment 246284

I had Bestops, they don’t look like Bestops. Nor did they have a drive shaft going between them.
but if you want to waste $1100, go to the ********** with your boys instead of buying Bestop....that’s how bad they are.

 

[mikeru]

I don’t really see where it would be that useful, because if you want to keep the board extended, just put your foot on it and close the door. It will recycle on the next open /close of the door.

Here's a helpful tip if you have power steps and air suspension. Raise the suspension to the highest setting and extend the steps if you're ever worried about door dings. Sure, if a truck parks next to me I could still get dinged. But most normal sized car doors will hit the steps before hitting any painted surface of my truck.

 

[mtnrider]

I had Bestops, they don’t look like Bestops. Nor did they have a drive shaft going between them.
but if you want to waste $1100, go to the ********** with your boys instead of buying Bestop....that’s how bad they are.

How old are your bestops? The ones I have seen have the shaft going between the front and back like in the picture.

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[DodgeDude99]

The last set took off in 2019.

 

[oe542bob]

Here's a helpful tip if you have power steps and air suspension. Raise the suspension to the highest setting and extend the steps if you're ever worried about door dings. Sure, if a truck parks next to me I could still get dinged. But most normal sized car doors will hit the steps before hitting any painted surface of my truck.

That sounds like a good tip. I have my boards on a 2500, and that would probably work to protect the sides. In that case, having the ability to deploy both sides and keep them out would be a plus!

 

[James Hobencamp]

Amp has a xl with twin motors on both steps. Great for contractors that are always in the mud and good in colder environments because of the twin moto

 

[DodgeDude99]

Amp has a xl with twin motors on both steps. Great for contractors that are always in the mud and good in colder environments because of the twin moto

I don’t think the mud is the biggest concern, it’s road salt. The powder coating gets a knick, the aluminum starts to corrode and pop the powder coating, now the pivots are bound up.

that’s been what I have seen with the 3 sets of linkages I had on my truck. I go on job sites and never had an issue with mud, by mid winter the linkages were done

 

[Duane Smith]

I own a 2018 RAM 2500 and Mopar did not offer steps, had to go with the AMP steps. Like the way they work, they are much lower to the ground then the wheel to wheel factory which were 18 inches off the ground, the AMP are only 13 inches off the ground to the top of the step.