AMP research power running boards?

It looks as if AMP research now has power running boards available for our beloved 3rd Gen Tundras. But, when I was looking around...oh my god I'm getting sticker shock, make that sticker heart attack, from these prices.

Is there something I'm missing about the AMP that makes is that much better than say the Go Rhino's? I personally can't see the difference. But, if I'm going to invest money and probably a whole day to get them installed, I want to make sure I get the boards that are right for me and would appreciate any insight. Thanks.

 

Still doesn’t fit the hybrid model

 

I got the non-hybrid, or gas, or whatever it's called. I prefer to think of mine as the deluxe-under-backseat-storage model.

 

I have no experience with the others, but I had AMP on my 2016 Tundra with no issues. They did take the better part of an afternoon to install on the ‘16. Just received my AMP Research PowerStep Extreme running boards for the ‘24. Now to get a nice day to install them!

 

When you get around to this please post up your install notes. I have looked through the pdf on Real Truck and I don't understand that it has the PnP connector AND wire taps under the kick panel. I thought the PnP avoided the need for those taps...at least in previous applications, anyway.

 

I went to my local guys when I was deciding what to get. Short answer from them was they have had issues with the Rhinos and they had little to no issues with the AMPs. So I put AMPs on and loved them. When that truck was totaled, I pulled those off to see if I could move them over and could not. then saw they increased their prices. said f it and went with fixed boards.

To this day, I miss the AMPs.

 

Will do. I have the same question. I hope to get them on in the next couple of weeks - we are supposed to have some clear 70 degrees soon. Will update then.

 

I have the AMP XL's on my 2023 Platinum Hybrid. Been a couple months and so far so good.

 

Were they shown on their site as compatible with the hybrid?

 

I think they did? But I went to my local Campway and they said they will work. I went for it since I was tired of waiting and wanted a plug and play option. I had them install the steps and there's been no issues. The XL's go a little lower and I was kind of on the fence about that at first. But I've actually grown to like them. It makes it easier to use when getting out. Some other steps are too high and if you step out it's tough using your heel to hold your body weight when they are just below the door.

 

Mind posting some pics of them up and down. Did they install an override switch?

 

I'll try to get some pics tonight or tomorrow. I asked them about an override switch and they said it did not have one. They said I could just keep my foot on the step when you shut the door and it will keep the step down. I haven't tried that yet.

I see you're in Northern California. I am too. The Campway I went to is in Martinez, if you're anywhere in the Bay Area.

 

@Wood-Dro Yup, there is an override switch and an extension to the ODB2 port (plug n play pass thru):

Override switch https://realtruck.com/p/amp-research-powerstep-override-switch/v/toyota/tundra/2023/

Plug N Play Pass Thru: https://realtruck.com/p/amp-research-powerstep-pass-through-harness/v/toyota/tundra/2023/

I got the override switch, but will most likely install it later. Yes, you can keep your foot on the step when you shut the door and it will keep the step down. This is handy when you want to clean the steps. Also, if you do not want it extended for some reason, just unplug the ODB2 plug. Or, the switch will 1) extend the steps, 2) auto extend/retract with door, or 3) keep them retracted. I'm going to try it without the switch for now. Can always add both of these options later on.

 

Wait, so the AMP XL steps work with a hybrid and are plug and play????

@Wood-Dro I know you've said it already, but it seems like so many other peeps say it wont work without the door magnets.

 

I have a hybrid, I have the AMP XL steps, there are no magnets on the doors.

 

@raylo - Just got off the phone with AMP Research tech support. To answer the question about the wiring...while the steps for the 2023 are "plug and play", they do require wiring into the white connector in the driver side kick panel. For some reason, Toyota only includes the front doors in the OBD-II port. The back door signals are in the white connector as called out in the instructions. So you will need to wire up both!

The tech also told me that they are seeing some intermittent issues with 2023 PowerSteps in that the signals are sometimes blocked, meaning that sometimes, they won't retract or extend. And I was told that the 2023 would work for my 2024...but no they won't, so I have already started a return process with Realtruck since their sales rep told me they would work. With the 2024, there are some trucks that won't even bolt up and definitely won't work with hybrid. Since he couldn't give me an ETA and there could potentially be hardware as well as a new module, I decided to return them and wait. I have read where the Platinums with OEM power steps are having issues - sounds like AMP is having the same issues with 2024 and some 2023. He also gave me some pointers and color pictures which I will post in the next frame including their phone number - do not call Realtruck...(glad I found out all of this before I was halfway through!)

 

Here are some color pictures of the white plug...As discussed over the phone, you are working on a 78338-01A kit and need assistance with your OBD2 plug. I screenshotted some photos to assist with the OBD2 Plug Connections.

 

In case you have issues with OBD2 port activation

 

Finally, here is the AMP Support info - very helpful

AMP Support

AMP Research brand division. They will be able to assist you with your issue. You can contact them Monday-Friday from 7:00AM to 5:00PM PST at 888-983-2204. They are not currently available via chat at this time. I called and left a message. They called me back within ½ hour.


realtruck.com/contact-brands/contact-ampresearch/

 

so I’m guessing yeah the amp steps would work but no they would not be backed by their warranty if you had an issue. Since they are not called out as working with the hybrids

 

Ugh...I don't like the idea of blocking my OBDII port just for these steps.

 

thats what this cable is for. Provides a 2nd access to the OBDII port…
Plug N Play Pass Thru: https://realtruck.com/p/amp-research-powerstep-pass-through-harness/v/toyota/tundra/2023/

 

I honestly wish they had a non-PnP version like for the older models where all you had to do was tap the front and rear trigger wires in the loom under the door sill plate. Maybe those wires are not available in the 2022+ Tundras.

And that's crazy that the Amps don't work with "some 2023s". Not sure I really want to take a chance on that.

 

Well just fyi the go rhino steps are stand alone. Magnetic trigger

 

What I don't understand is why these guys just don't tap the negative ground trigger pin switch wires for the doors. Seems that would be the simplest and neatest way to make these operate... unless there is something different about those pin switches and circuits that I don't understand.

 

yeah, I wondered about that too. Evidently there are different triggers on 2024 Tundras and some 2023 Tundras than 2022 and some hardware differences. There must’ve been a software update from Toyota affecting this hitch they are working to sort out. And they had issues getting 2022 to work…

the Go Rhino uses magnets as triggers but their control box lives next to the motors on the frame rail. Not sure how good that location is for electronics.

for now I have the Toyota OEM running boards.

 

Go Rhino appears to have taken a lot of ideas from Amp in regards to motor and then some on their new E1 boards. Dual motors and 3 braces attracted me. They also come with a pretty decent warranty. So far I have had no issues. I can not speak to lots of snow and ice build up on or around motors/electronics. Time will tell. Easy install as well.

 

Let us know how you like them. Structure sounds good and being independent from the truck’s electronics has potential. I just wish their control module was inside somewhere.

 

But no matter how Toyota works the OEM boards or reads the door position into the computer the door switches are pretty basic and normally just show +12V with door closed and ground with door open. It seems that the step mfgs could just tap those trigger wires and diode isolate, if necessary. That's all the Rhino magnet switches do anyway... that is make ground. So, I am not sure why these pin switch wires can't be tapped directly instead.

 

Like I mentioned so far I really like my Rhino E1 boards. Super solid. Motors and electrical housing is all sealed well. Similar to a submersible pump. Warranty is Limited Lifetime. 3 supporting brackets are nice. Door magnets are small and really not noticed after a week or so.

A few things to note:
Wiring for "on/off" switch is not extra long. It comes from the passenger side and over to the driver side under the carpet and console. I did not have enough slack to feed up to my Aux switch panel. So mine is mounted on the door pillar between front and back seat down at floor level. Not a huge deal but to be noted. I am sure you could splice and make longer fairly easily.

They do retract immediately when door is shut. If you place something in the back seat and shut the door before opening front it will retract and then extend again. I find my self opening front before closing rear. A little annoying but fast retraction can be nice too vs too long of a delay.

I found some really good review videos online when this line was launched. There was one that really compared them to Amp and how they built up from their platform/design. I got the impression Rhino took a lot of Amps design even made some tweaks. I might be making this up but I believe I had also read that a patent had expired that opened the door to take advantage of what set Amp apart for so many years. Again I don't have proof but seem to remember something of the sort.