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Bestop Powerboard (electric steps) anyone?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by vegas4x4, Nov 18, 2020.

  1. Dec 15, 2020 at 3:41 PM
    #31
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Fuel delete mod Cup holder upgrade
    My mechanic shop just installed them and I've hate to say it but the Powerboard NX aren't good...




    ...they are great product (so far). Lots a Pros, minor Cons.

    PROs:
    • In the upright position, the boards stow away only leaving a about a 1/4 gap between the truck body and the steps' out edges. They nearly cover the whole length of the crewmax cab short a couple of inches (6 to 8 roughly)
    • In the deployed position the boards are about 10 inches below (I swear that is really 10 inches! :bananadance:) from the vehicle floor/entry of vehicle. They sit about 11 inches off the ground on a stock 1794. So they deploy about halfway.
    • The boards are a little more than 6 inches wide and are coated with an fairly aggressive anti-slip coating.
    • They are very quiet when deploying and illuminate the step area as they extend.
    • The system is modular and plug and play. No permanent modifications to OEM meaning no drilling tapping or splicing. (this is for the NX version not sure about vanilla). This also means it should be easy to maintain if the vendor/manufacture supports the product with replacement parts.
    • Doesn't take up OBD port for power.
    • The lighting is a bright LED and adequately illuminates part of the stepping area. The intensity of the light is excellent.
    • The safety feature stops the motor if it detects any resistance. Not sure how much force is required however.
    • No delay in extending or retracting.
    CONs:
    • The lighting doesn't cover the whole board only where the extension arms are located. Its not a deal breaker. I may install a mod to illuminate the full board.
    • The anti-slip coating covers the whole board including the underside that faces outboard when the steps are retracted. This will likely be a pain to clean.
    • The stickers on the extension arms look cheap. The plus side is they are falling off already and will be easy to remove entirely.
    • Sensor placement of the NX version is a bit of a pain. I may relocate them at a later date. Also the adhesive on these are on the weaker side. I replaced the backing with a 3M velcro to allow easier removal for when the batteries need to be replaced.
    • The angle of the board isn't exactly parallel with the deck (ground) but they are parallel when loaded with weight.
    I know AMP Research, ARES and RBP make boards too, for the price, modular and minimal design these are tough to beat. Now lets see if they hold up over time.

    Thanks again for sharing this find @vegas4x4 I give them a perfect score of 5/7*** 10 out of 10
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2020
  2. Dec 15, 2020 at 4:02 PM
    #32
    Ladicius

    Ladicius New Member

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    Aren't good, but give them a good rating?

    Also, thanks for the write up!
     
  3. Dec 15, 2020 at 4:08 PM
    #33
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    They are not good they are great. The 5/7 rating is perfect score, an old internet joke.
     
  4. Dec 15, 2020 at 4:12 PM
    #34
    Ladicius

    Ladicius New Member

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    Gotcha! Thanks for the clarification!
     
  5. Dec 15, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    #35
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    No worries I recommend them.
     
    Ladicius[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Dec 15, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #36
    buckrub71

    buckrub71 Like Father, Like Son--Semper Fi

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    Thanks but...!:worthless:

    We NEED them!
     
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  7. Dec 15, 2020 at 5:11 PM
    #37
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    I'll freeze my crank off for you...I'll post day and night shots in the AM.
     
    Ladicius likes this.
  8. Dec 15, 2020 at 5:55 PM
    #38
    buckrub71

    buckrub71 Like Father, Like Son--Semper Fi

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    Yeah man!
     
  9. Dec 15, 2020 at 7:09 PM
    #39
    Rockgate

    Rockgate New Member

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    I think you would have binding issues if the rear extended farther than the front , to make them parallel to the ground. Good to hear they are not bad. I have Amp's that I got for $900 in 2014 for my 2014. Took them off when I traded, and now are on the 2019 with new runners, (CM Vs DC). Are you stuck with the magnet sensors? Or does the brain box have analog inputs? So do they go up and down immediately upon open/closing of the door?
     
  10. Dec 15, 2020 at 9:16 PM
    #40
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Yes I miscommunicated the leveling issue. The outer edge is raised slightly higher than the inner edge of the board, just slightly. When you load the board (step on it) its perfectly level.

    RE: Magnets. I would have to check the parts list and cabling with the version that doesn't use the magnetic sensors. The way this one is wired, the four door sensors are basically battery powered standalone RF transmitters, they talk to the receiver under the truck. The receiver is wired to the brain box (controller) which then commands (via cables) the board deployment and recovery. At first I thought there was a delay but they extend immediately. I think placing the sensors on the nonhinged side of the door would probably eliminate any lag altogether. The sensor/transmitter is using a magnetic switch which requires the magnet to be a certain distance from the sensor, the nonhinged side breaks this distance quicker than the hinged side.

    Installation instructions for reference:
    NX version
    https://assets.bestop.com/files/_bestop/3/8/2/75637_is.pdf
    Vanilla version
    https://assets.bestop.com/files/_bestop/10/4/10/75137_is.pdf

    It looks like you can bypass/replace the receiver with the splicing harness in the second version.
     
  11. Dec 15, 2020 at 10:07 PM
    #41
    Rockgate

    Rockgate New Member

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    Oh,ok. I gotcha on the flatness of the step itself. Was wondering cause I seen some Amp's 1st gen maybe that were instant. Mine, there is about a 2 second delay so if you close the front door then go to open the rear door, the step doesn't start to retract and extend in that split second change. I watched the video install on bestops. They put them on an f150 and put the transmitters at the rear of the door.
     
  12. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:36 PM
    #42
    vegas4x4

    vegas4x4 [OP] Blaaack

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    :headbang::headbang::headbang: glad it all worked out! If i make it through these next 10 days without completely wrecking my wallet im gonna get it. This price is too good!

    Pics please!!!!!!!
     
  13. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:46 PM
    #43
    buckrub71

    buckrub71 Like Father, Like Son--Semper Fi

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    Autoanything.com was the cheapest I could find. Standard version $648 delivered. Just call or chat and they will beat Bestop's price.
     
  14. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:46 PM
    #44
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Crappy night pics as requested:

    IMG_0118(3).jpg
    IMG_0117(2).jpg
    IMG_0116(1).jpg
     
    vegas4x4[OP] likes this.
  15. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:48 PM
    #45
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Crappy day pics:

    IMG_0123(2).jpg
    IMG_0121(2).jpg
    IMG_0120(3).jpg
    IMG_0119(3).jpg
     
    vegas4x4[OP] likes this.
  16. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:50 PM
    #46
    Saltyhero13

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  17. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:50 PM
    #47
    buckrub71

    buckrub71 Like Father, Like Son--Semper Fi

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    Alright. Those look great! Now get some daytime pics and we'll forgive you for the delay! :santa2:
     
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  18. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:51 PM
    #48
    Saltyhero13

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    Refresh the page bubba, there should be another set of photos and a vid.
     
  19. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #49
    buckrub71

    buckrub71 Like Father, Like Son--Semper Fi

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    Yup, just did. Thanks!
     
  20. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:57 PM
    #50
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Based on the video posted on Reddit today I would be willing to bet the AMP Powersteps are rebranded versions of these, at least the boards and servos. The AMPs look like they are wired slightly differently and they offer a few versions of these. The price on these alone make them worth it but the modular design makes these better IMO. I would be willing to bet people stay away from these because BESTOP doesn't market them properly or list them as available for all models 2007 to 2021s
     
  21. Dec 16, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #51
    vegas4x4

    vegas4x4 [OP] Blaaack

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    The pics did it for me. Im gonna do everything i can to order these puppies.
     
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  22. Dec 16, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    #52
    Saltyhero13

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    I'm seriously impressed with them, at first I thought they were some nofrills knock off but these are legitimately well designed. I hope they last long, warranty is for 3 years but they tested them to last for 10 years.
     
    vegas4x4[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  23. Dec 16, 2020 at 6:02 PM
    #53
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    The chicks dig'em too. The old lady loved them when she saw them and tested them.
     
  24. Dec 16, 2020 at 6:03 PM
    #54
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    DO-EIT!
     
  25. Dec 16, 2020 at 6:31 PM
    #55
    Voda48

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    Seems like a great alternative. I'm gonna have to keep these in mind
     
  26. Dec 16, 2020 at 6:55 PM
    #56
    Saltyhero13

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  27. Dec 18, 2020 at 5:43 AM
    #57
    Freakenrage

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    Two XS batteries D3400 NVX 10 farad cap Samsung tablet Arc KS 600.2 sub amp Arc 4050 CXLR 4 channel amp Sinfoni Quartorigo Mids and Highs (front) Deaf Bonce Sylverster Mid (rear) Sundown Audio tweeters (rear) SMD fuse holders SMD Output Meter (SMD-OM-1) SMD Output Meter (SMD-OM-1) SMD Voltage Meter (SMD-VM-1) Two JL Audio Powerwedge 10TW3-D4 2-Ohm Zero ga big three K&N CAI 3-Trumpet Train Air Horn Kit 150dB Access Cover Hood Guard AMP power steps Westin Bull Bar Bully Dog GT+T tuner 35/12.5/17 Steel grill Hammerhead rear bumper Coachbuilder 3" Shackles Coachbuilder steering stops and Tie rods Linex bed coating Morimoto Headlights and fog lights
    I love my Amp steps. I had N-fab steps that rusted out in only a couple of years, I even had Line-X on them.
     
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  28. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:50 AM
    #58
    Voda48

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  29. Dec 18, 2020 at 9:04 AM
    #59
    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    No worries. I looked at several option that I could find. The AMPs fit my need the closest, Bestops were half the price of the AMPs.
     
    Voda48[QUOTED] and Trooper2 like this.
  30. Jan 10, 2021 at 8:02 AM
    #60
    YotaFan05

    YotaFan05 New Member

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    Looks like the regular Bestop Powerboards aren't available anymore at least for the crewmax. The NX wireless ones are all that come up now. Maybe they're discontinuing them? Would explain why they're so cheap.
     

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