Elevate Your Driving Experience Through the AMP Research PowerSteps

Since its establishment in 1980, AMP Research has been producing first class truck accessories such as side steps and bed extenders. Innovative, constructive and modernized are just some of the words used by truck enthusiasts all over the globe to describe the solutions they produce. Their Stowaway Steps, in particular are well regarded for being robust and convenient at the same time. But just what are the AMP Research Stowaway Steps and what makes them so special? These progressive truck steps are aimed to make your driving experience more comfortable and secure. Whether it’s supporting passengers when they enter a vehicle or loading and unloading heavy equipment to a pickup truck, the prolific creations of AMP Research are a proven asset to the truck enthusiast.

The PowerStep: Unrelenting and Advantageous

A fine example of an AMP Research Step that showcases the company’s inimitable design is their patented PowerStep Running Boards. How do AMP Research PowerSteps enhance accessing your vehicle? Well, for one, they are automatic and electric powered. This means that by simply opening your vehicle door, they extend to assist passengers getting in or out their trucks. Once the doors are closed, they would retract to generate the ideal ground clearance. What’s more, these boards are tough, weather-resistant and they elevate the aggressive appearance of just about any truck model that incorporates them.

These running boards are built to carry heavy loads of up to 600 lbs and are beneficial for night drives thanks to an integrated LED light system. The AMP Research PowerStep provides a stable platform that goes as low as 10 to 12 inches from the bottom of the truck door ^[1]. For users with lifted trucks, a separately purchased 2 inch extension kit may be employed for their needs. What’s more, an alternate version of this innovation, the PowerStep XL, would provide a stepping surface that is 3 inches lower than the original PowerStep ^[2].

Integrating the PowerStep to Your Truck

We’re now going to discuss in detail how to install the Amp Research Power Steps to your vehicle. Do take note that this installation guide is a general overview and vehicle specific mounting procedures are available at the company’s official website. This guide includes both how to fasten the steps to the truck and the proper wiring procedures so they work in coordination with the truck doors. The whole process is straightforward and should take about one to two hours to complete. As an additional note, how to disassemble and take apart the AMP Research PowerStep would simply involve reversing the whole procedure ^[3].

1. Start off by locating the rear linkage installation position at the front of the rear body mount and installing the adapter by torqueing it with a force of 16 foot-pounds.
2. The rear idler linkage would then be fastened to the adapter by similarly torqueing it to 16 foot-pounds while the LED light brackets are placed between the pinch weld and linkage mount.
3. For the motor assembly, the motor is to be slid to the drive shaft. Utilize a flat head socket head cap screw on the inner location while a hex bolt and a washer would be used for the outer location.
4. Mount the front motor linkage with the motor by torqueing the fasteners to about 16 foot-pounds.
5. Once the linkage assemblies are properly placed, the step extrusion would now be attached to the linkage. Its T-nuts are to be lined with the lower mount slots of the linkage assemblies. Four socket cap screws would be tightened through a 3/16 allen wrench.

Next, we’re going to properly connect the Power Step’s wiring harness ^[3].

1. Remove the wire harness’ fuse.
2. Make use of 11 inch cable ties to secure the controller at the passenger side of your firewall. The red wire is to be connected to the positive battery terminal while the black one is linked to the negative terminal.
3. The longest leg of the wiring harness is routed to the driver’s side, under the vehicle and outside the frame rail. Meanwhile, the shortest leg is directed down the firewall and outside the frame rail of the passenger’s side.
4. Remove the front door sill at the passenger’s side before passing the trigger wires through the rubber grommet and into the passenger compartment. Strip the wire before inserting it to the unscrewed cab and tighten them to produce a sturdy connection.
5. Similarly, remove the door sill of the driver’s side before routing the violet wire to driver’s side door sill and connecting it to the violet wire coming from the door.
6. Insert the harness’ plug to a designated slot in the motor before concealing it with the motor cover. Plastic push pin rivets are inserted to the cover’s mounting holes.
7. Strip the wires that connect to the LED light before using the provided butt connectors to attach the lamp wires. Once they are crimped, make use of a heat gun to shrink the tube.
8. Finally, attach the LED lights to their suitable brackets on each side of your vehicle.
9. After all the loose wires are properly tucked away, reinsert the fuse into the wire harness.
10. Test if your installation was proper. The Powersteps should unlock once the door is opened and retract once you close it.

Fundamental Elements of the PowerStep

For the next portion of this article, we’re going to look in depth at the various components that allow the PowerStep to perform effectively. We’ll also discuss some of the possible issues that cause the steps to function improperly. These are caused by either a faulty installation or a defective component that needs replacement.

1. The Controller

The first element on the list is the PowerStop’s controller which is mounted under the hood and serves as the “brain” of these electric running boards. It contains hardware, timing and logic software. It also monitors amperage to ensure the step’s anti-pinch function is working properly. So, how do you check if the controller of your AMP Research Power Step works appropriately? A noticeable result of a worn or damaged controller is that the steps are not dropping when you open the door nor are they retracting when the doors are closed.

As per the company’s troubleshooting manual, these are the steps to diagnose whether your controller is damaged. Pierce insulation of the purple wire at controller under hood and momentary connect to ground individually. Detach the wire harness from under the vehicle and assess the voltage across the orange and white wires. These wires will reverse polarity when cycling. 12 volts should be displayed for 3 to 5 seconds. If there is no voltage present, then the Power Step Controller should be replaced. For defective controllers, AMP Research offers quick-to-install factory replacement modules to remedy your running boards’ operation issues ^[4].

2. The Motor and Drive Unit

The AMP Powerstop’s up and down movement is consistent thanks to its weatherproof motor and drive system unit. There is one motor per side of your vehicle and they function through the alternating polarity between the poles of the motor. If the PowerSteps are going down when the door is closed and up when the door is opened, chances are the motor polarity has been reversed. Users would simply exchange the location of the orange and white wires going into the plug. Should there be further concerns in its functionality then testing for voltage to the motor would be essential for your verdict. The motor would need to be replaced if it does not respond when it’s given a 12 volt positive and a negative signal ^[4].

3. The Diodes

The proper orientation of the diodes is another fundamental aspect in the PowerStep’s functionality. Considered as the electrical equivalent of a one-way valve, the diodes isolate the passenger and driver side door-ajar signals and they make certain there is no delay in the steps’ operation. Where the diodes are installed is fundamental in certifying the smooth performance of your AMP Research Power Steps. If they are poorly secured, a number of troubling issues may occur such as the steps deploying after the doors close or at random instances.

To assess your diodes for any flaws, users need to first disconnect them from the balance of the system. The side of the diode with a silver stripe is connected to a tester while the opposite end to a 12 volt positive. The tester is grounded and the current should flow in this direction. The current will not flow if the striped end is connected to the 12 volt positive. If it does, then the diode is in need of replacement. AMP Research bestows replacement diodes free of charge should the current flow in this direction or no direction at all ^[4].

^[1] AMP Research Powerstep. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 8, 2019 from, http://www.amp-research.com/products/truckaccessories/powerstep/ ^[2] AMP Research Powerstep XL. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 14, 2019 from, http://www.amp-research.com/products/truckaccessories/powerstep-xl/ ^[3] AMP Research TV. (2015, November 15). Installation Video: Powerstep Jeep Wrangler [Video File]. Retrieved on January 8, 2019 from, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZAnYyTXalI ^[4] AMP Research Trouble Shooting Guide: AMP Research Power Step. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 14, 2019 from, http://amp-research.com/wp-content/files/AMP_PS_Trouble_Shooting.pdf