AMP research power running boards?

@TacCoyote congratulations re: the amp running boards on your hybrid. Could you post the installation instructions? Very interested…..

 

https://static.thiecommerce.com/ass...2024_pdf/e4fcc9ff9258552ff579897fe3516404.pdf

 

Just an update after my truck has been in the shop for a month.
Finally got mine working after there was $3k in damages to the trucks electrical system. The 3rd OBD2 plug they sent seemed to work. What a nightmare. I have messaged AMP to see about a refund.

 

Oof.

 

Just finished successfully installing the AMP Power-steps on my 2024 Limited Crewmax non-hybrid. After disappointment with my first attempt with AMP power steps, more disappointment with the Go Rhino E1 steps, I was able to order a more recent package with updated instructions. Not sure if this one is updated or different enclosed hardware from earlier shipments, but this one has everything included from the inventory in the instructions.

The instructions, although updated with hybrid and non-hybrid differences, finding the wires to tap are a challenge. Thanks to @raylo for additional pictures and hints (size of drill bit and wrench info for the braces) which saved me steps! It really helped!

Thanks to everyone else too for the hints along the way. I’ve used AMP Powersteps on 4 other trucks, including another Tundra. They are the right height and are made well.

 

Here’s the updated instructions with the hybrid and non-hybrid steps…

 

Nice! Where did you get the Xtreme boards?

 

I got them straight from Real Truck.

 

My go rhino's are far superior to amp research they attach at 3 points open and close like landing gear on an aircraft and have night lights and will hold >300lbs.Called amp research last year and they hadn't got the product out and said would call and never happened and my friends @Mud-rock 4X4 in Murfreessboro,Tennessee found these to be better and installed them and I could not be happier!!!

 

AMP's will hold 600 pounds. How is that not superior? Have fun with your magnets.

 

AMPs also have LEDs. I tried the Go Rhino E1 when AMP stopped shipping at their suggestion. The steps were so high that my short wife needed a step to use them, much like the non folding OEM steps. The AMPs are just a few inches lower and work great for her and me. I also like the short delay before closing allowing me to close the driver door and open rear door without the step closing, much like my previous installation of AMPs. I did not like the instant closing of the Go Rhino.

At the end of the day, I am glad you found a set to your liking. I have now found the best one for my situation too!

 

To make a long story short, after going back and forth with Go Rhino and RealTrucks, they've decided that since I missed their 30 day returns window, they will not authorize a return. So if anything is looking for a good buy on my 2 month used set of Go Rhino E1 electric running boards, check out my listing in the marketplace.

Not too upset at RealTrucks as it is clearly marked on their web site, but a little disappointed given the issues I ran into and their suggestion to try the Go Rhino since "they are basically the same" which they are not. Anyway, I'd like to see these go to a good home...Cheers

 

That's a shame. I understand the 30-day thing, but I thought they might give you some leeway after the way they disinform customers about these E1 boards. The ergonomics are nothing like the AMPs so that they have a totally different use case. Too bad you had a simultaneous concurrence of this issue with your failed diff so you couldn't return them in time.

 

I have 2023 1794 trd or with trd 3 inch lift

wife has trouble getting in so how high off the ground does it drop?

couldn’t got factory power boards due to trd or pkg

need to make it easier

thanks

 

The GoRhino E1 boards drop only a couple of inches from the sill, so are essentially like fixed running boards that just hide away when not in use. These don't work for many of us since when you step up on them you are way up above the seat. The AMP standard boards drop down about another 4 or 5 inches and the AMP XL boards drop even farther. The standard AMPs work great for many of us with stock trucks but the XL's might be even better with a lift.

 

Like @raylo says, I would recommend the AMP XL boards for you. Check them out at https://realtruck.com/p/amp-research-power-step-xl/v/toyota/tundra/2024/

"LOWEST DEPLOYED STEP
PowerStep XL Running Boards drop 4" lower than the other PowerStep boards, making them perfect for lifted trucks or vehicles with higher ground clearance."

 

Been reading through the threads trying to decide on power steps. Think I have decided on the AMP Power Steps. I don't like the idea of the magnets on the Go Rhino, and I have a short wife. It is unclear if the Amp Research Power Steps are compatible with Hybrid models. I have a 2024 Platinum hybrid. Thx

 

The Rhino magnets actually work pretty well and avoid needing to plug into the OBD2 port. They are pretty unobtrusive and are just a slight PITA to align and route the wires. No big deal. The big difference is the height of the lowered steps. Rhinos have very minimal drop, whereas AMPs go way lower. That should be your main consideration. IOW, if you are happy to use fixed boards, you'll like the Rhinos. But if you are tallish you might find them very difficult to drop down into the seat from them. I can't use fixed boards at all, easier for me to just get up and in from the ground. So, when I got the Rhinos and found that they were as high as fixed boards I was like, WTF? Had to return them.

 

Thanks for the info. My main question is are the Amps compatible with a 2024 Hybrid.

 

Sorry, IDK about that.

 

With the recent revision, yes, AMP says they are compatible. In the latest version of the installation instructions, they show the non-hybrid and hybrid differences (additional support and harness power) and show the 2024 in the vehicles pull down. There have been a few on this board who have successfully installed them now.
See attached installation update.

 

I'm 6' 1" and have the GoRhino E1's. I actually like the fact that it's a step up and then a nice sit down. Feels super easy to get in and out. Obviously everyone is different though.

My only complaint besides the wiring and zero-delay is that they're loud as shit. Granted I've never had power running boards before so I don't know if it's just normal or what.

Really wish I would have found one with the OEM ones installed...

Functionally and aesthetically though, they're wonderful.

 

Hey all, new member and first post, been busy reading countless threads as I get my tundra outfitted and wanted to give back hopefully some helpful info as I've gotten from many others.

Just finished installing the AMP Research PowerStep boards (Purchased through Realtruck.com) on my tundra. The hardware install was easy enough and I took care of that myself, but the electrical portion was a bit over my head so I had my local shop take care of it. Long story short, 3 days, a faulty OBDII plug and controller, multiple calls for tech support later, the steps finally work. It was a headache to say the least. When both my shop and I called regarding the possibility of a faulty OBDII plug, the folks at AMP didn't seem surprised at all which was a bit troubling. They did immediately send out the replacement parts which was great, but in the end got hit with a hefty install bill (my shop split the difference but it was still over $800).
Called Realtruck regarding a partial refund because of the situation and was issued a ~$350 refund. Overall a real pain..

Regarding the actual steps themselves, they work well, a bit buggy at times (as in delay in deploying, override switch not lasting longer than a few minutes etc) but I'm happy with them. I do wish they were a bit higher (maybe another 2-4") as its still a good 16" to step from the step into the truck and with the seat having raised sides its hard not to sit on the edge of the seat first and slide into position (I'm 6'). I like the delay in stowing and not having magnets on my doors.
In the end, I don't know which is a better option, the GoRhino or AMP, they both seem to have their drawbacks.
For me the decision would come down to the height of the step making the final decision, if given the chance again I would choose the GoRhino for the higher step height.

Thanks everyone for all the info, it's tremendously helpful!

 

Thanks to @raylo and @ChucklesToy and Hotrod offroad I got my amp boards installed today. If it wasn't for the pics posted earlier in the thread, idk what I would have done. There are 3 blue wires in the plug for the odb connection.....I probably spent 45 minutes deciding which ones to tap. Finally looked at the plug and counted over to the 5th wire.

Really like the boards. I hope they hold up. If you are looking for a better deal holler @memario1214 at hotshot offroad. Ordered and they arrived 3 days later.

YMMV

 

Do you know what blue and white wire you used and are they directly across from each other in the factory plug? Installed mine and the boards go up but won’t come down on any of the doors.
Thanks for the help!

 

See Chuck's photos on the first page of this thread. Tap the white wire that is about in the middle of the one row of wires and next to an empty socket IIRC, then the blue wire that might be the second from the end on the other row of wires.

 

@AFoster7 the wires i tapped were directly across from each other.

with the clip of the plug up, from left to right, count over to the fifth set of wires. One blue one white. Where the probes are in the pic.

 

Man, I don't remember them being right across from each other, but it has been awhile and I could be wrong. If I hadn't recently had a hip replacement I'd go under and take a look. Chuck also just did another installation so he will probably chime in at some point.

 

Yes, they are across from each other. I used the individual pictures that shows the white wire and another that shows the blue wire. The Posi-Taps ended up across from each other. But I focused on one and then the other based on the individual pictures. Also, the white OBDII wire goes to blue in the white plug and vice-versa.

 

Thanks for the help! I have the correct wiring. As soon as i plugged the fuse in the steps went up but nothing I do will make them come back down. Must be the OBD connection. Has anyone wired it directly on a 23 or 24 Tundra? I feel like it’s the wrong OBD for my 24 Tundra.