Amp Research install on 2018

So my steps came in last week that I ordered and today was going to be the day. I figured I'd try to take as many useful pictures as I could to help others.

Apparently the wiring has changed on the 18+ models so you can not get the plug and play. I also ordered the override switch which is what should be in the small box.



Started the unpacking/inspection process. There are 3 boxes inside along with the steps. Removed the 3 boxes and also found a zombie cat.



Laid the boxes out to inspect the internals. Found zombie cat approved. I was going to open them up and proceed with installing the arms and start on the wiring when a voice told me to inspect the steps as well before going any further.



Glad I did. Found one of the attachment slides had not been tapped. Called AMP and they asked where I bought it from, took my info and said they would expedite one out to me. So, for now, I am dead in the water.




I would have been pissed if I had installed the arms and started in on the wiring only to find I would have had to remove it all so I can drive my truck while I wait for the part.

So, for now, I wait.

To be continued..........

 

That my biggest problem, I find out something is wrong to late.

 

Nice job flying dave,

I did the same and luckily had no issues with mine. Hopefully you do not have to wait too long! Still waiting on the override switch to arrive to finish up. Should be here today so I can install it this weekend. You will absolutely love these boards! My wife loves them too.

 

Just a tip in case you didn't know. The wire you need to tap into for the driver rear door that is in the 20 pin connector under the dash is red wire above the black wire. It is not the purple wire with the red stripe that they tell you. Because amp is not making a plug-in play OBD2 port harness for 18+ I went through some trials and tribulations during install. I know the ins-and-outs of the install and if you need any help or advice I would be glad to assist. I installed the steps on my 18 and then that got totaled bought a 19 and it had to install on the 19 again. I can send you direct pictures of wires that you need to tap into. And yeah that sucks to get a new present and you can't install because of a quality control issue. But once installed and operational they really are a badass.

 

Had some time to attack the steps today. It is pretty straight forward and if you have seen the video it is quite helpful as well as the other threads so I won't go into the wiring in the engine compartment.

Removed the passenger side kick panel to gain access for the wire taps.


The rubber stopper was easier to remove than try to cut in place so I popped it out from the top pushing it out of the bottom.



Used a razor blade to cut a small slit and ran the wires through. Installed the stopper from the bottom. Make sure you get in in completely.

 

My instructions were revised 06.07.18 and were mostly accurate. I started on the passenger side as noted above and it is definitely easier than the other side. The instructions are a little vague on this step for the wiring you push through the bottom. If you look at the driver's side instructions it says the blue wire is the front and the grey (looked white to me) is the rear. So the blue wire goes to the green wire in the connector at pin 22 and the grey wire goes to the tan wire at pin 3 as per the instructions.

I had disconnected the yellow connector to inspect the plug near it and had not plugged it back in before I took the pictures if you have a sharp eye...

 

The rubber stopper is slightly less accessible than the other side but I did the same thing. Pushed it through the bottom, sliced it, pushed the two wires through and reinstalled.




I just realized I forgot to snap a pic of the connector on the bottom. This is the only one I have at the moment. I will pull it back apart later and edit this with a better pic but you can see the blue power step wire attached to the blue wire that was in the connector. The instructions were right with the location but wrong saying it was a 20 connector plug when it was a 22.



The instructions were sort of correct in this step. The location of the wire was correct but it says the wire is pink with a red stripe and my wire was solid red which I think I read some have found as well.






After wiring it up I checked all four doors and it all worked correctly. After I had all of the interior panels re-installed and the covers installed on the step actuator motors (which I ziptied on instead of using the push pins and not a huge fan of their design) I decided to recheck the operation and had nothing on either side. I checked a few things, pulled and reinstalled the fuse a few times and still had nothing. I remembered reading a post about disconnecting the two connections at the module under the hood and tried that. Boom, back in business. Not sure why but that worked.

I am not sure if I want to use the LED's that came with the kit, use some others that I have read about on other install threads, or just tape off the ends, zip tie the wiring to the frame, and go without. Will sleep on that and figure it out tomorrow. Other than that, the right side needs a little adjustment it appears as it does not go up and down as smoothly as the left, I need to ziptie the wiring in a few more places and I should be close to being done. I am saving the override switch install for a later date. I wanted to get it operational first and adjusted correctly before I got into that mod.

 

After a few days in I'm a little surprised at the force these things "clunk" when retracting. I have a friend with a F150 that came with these steps and his are not as noticeable. Maybe that's because the have cycled hundreds of times. Either way I am happy so far.

 

Very nice!

 

Where did you mount the over-ride switch? I have a 2017 and had the AMP's installed. Love them. Only complaint is that they are slightly loud opening and closing when compared to the Ford OEM's

 

Welcome to the forum!! I think the OP stated he didn't install it yet. OP wanted to get operational first.

 

very nice!!

 

This is where I had mine mounted.

 

Did they stop selling the over ride switch? I didn't see it online. If so can somebody post up the schematic as to the wires (color) that the switch bridges? It is a normal switch so shouldn't be difficult to duplicate if I am missing something please let me know. Cheers

 

Still available:
https://www.xtremediesel.com/amp-research-79106-01a-powerstep-override-switch-without-controller

 

Did y'all find that the driver side door step is closer to the front than the passenger side?

 

I know this is a dated thread but wanted to say thanks Dave, your pics just helped me solve the problem without having to sit on the phone with AMP support!!! The AMP directions/visuals are pitiful for this stage of installation.......

 

Wish color do you have on the pasan get side ?

 

Don’t use these wiring instructions for a 2016, the wiring is different. 2018-2021 are different than prior years.

 

He has a 2017 that’s why I’m asking