Bed step?

I'm looking to get a bed step and the two that I found are the AMP or the BESTOP. What's the differences between the two? Also ice seen some pictures of the steps facing the side of the truck when open and some facing the back. Is that just a user preference that can be changed or is it a certain model step?

 

I love my bed step. It is the AMP step. It kind of goes out at an angle from the rear bumper. It works great to step up on the tailgate. There is only one way to install it. Definitely recommend.

 

Toyota’s is a re-branded Amp Research, smaller than Bestop, angled corner so blends with the bumper and looks more OEM when tucked.



Bestop is larger and the surface is grit like sandpaper. More to step on, sure footing.



Both use the same kick down mechanism.

I went for the greater surface area, less slippery when wet. The Bestop comes with spacers to have it sitting slightly lower if you like. And it can be adjusted laterally so it’s hidden more under the bumper from the side.

This is how I’ve set mine, no spacer used.



imho, AR looks better, Bestop is more practical and costs less. It will boil down to your preference.

 

Ok sweet! What is a good place to get the bestop from?

 

I too have the bestop bed step. Install was pretty hard for me. There were some bolts That were tricky to get to and a pain to loosen. I bought an open box from ebay for $130

 

I'm in Canada, bought it on sale from PartsEngine. In the US, use camelcamelcamel and setup an alert. It was $165 last November but Amazon price drops are anyone's guess. Google around if you rather have it sooner than later.



As noted above, it is a bitch to install the way the bracket you need to remove is bolted under the top bumper cap. Props to @TundraPro2019 for his tips here:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/bestop-trek-step-or-amp-research-bedstep.27237/#post-954376

Works well with tailgate down or up, after using it a few times you'll wonder how you lived without it.

 

Found my best price on Amazon for my Bestop but it was a few years ago. Looked at the Amp Research step but for me, Bestep offered more for less $.

 

Picked up an open box bestop from Amazon for $160 shipped. Just waiting for it to stop raining and dry up so I can install it.

 

I have the OEM one as well and it’s really useful. I find my self using it a lot more than I thought I would. Installation wasn’t too bad, just take your time and it will be fine. Also make sure to put some tape above the bumper before you start, another member gave me this tip and it saved my truck from scratches.

 

I have the Toyota AMP step and I use it constantly. It’s ok. It feels solid as a rock when you install it,and the components are pretty beefy, but it does flex some under weight. That said I would purchase it again.

 

I briefly had a '13 CM and I bought a used one off CL, I regret not taking it off when I traded for my '14, was a Bestop brand

 

So I just got through attempt number one of installing this thing and it kicked my ass. I had the hardest time getting enough of the bumber cap up so I could stick a wrench in to get to that bolt. So after about two hours fighting and cussing I gave up until next weekend. It just was not my day I guess.

 

Cut the bracket. Save yourself the hassle.

 

But don't I still need to get the bolt out?

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/oem-bed-step-install-without-changing-out-the-bracket.11764/

Not the one under the cover, just the two in the frame and you don’t Have to take anything apart.


If I had it to do over I would just cut the bracket.

 

Here are some pictures I took. I know they are random but I will break down the process.

I began by removing the bracket. Loosen al the bolts and you’ll be able to “twist” it out. You kinda have to shimmy it in different directions to get it to come out.

Next I pushed up on those black tabs, I managed to push them out with a long screw driver. Finally to get the bolt underneath the middle section, I just pried the edge up a little and got underneath with a ratcheting wrench.

If I had to do it all over again I would probably just cut the bracket. I’m just really OCD and knowing that i hadn’t used the correct bracket would drive me nuts.

 

I bought the Weather Tech step because it collapses with a rear impact to take some of the energy out.

https://www.weathertech.com/bumpstep-original/

 

So only usable with the tailgate up?

I want one that works on the passenger side. Have some replacement parts in my body that makes it tough to climb up from the driver side.

 

Yes..

 

Those shitty plastic clips under the bottom of the plastic topper for the bumper are garbage. They don’t ever sit properly once they are removed. If it’s too cold or the truck has been sitting outside they will snap. My step itself cracked. Cut the bracket.

 

Ok sweet!! I'm going to have to check if it will work with mine since I have the Bestop brand, not the AMP, but ill have to wait until Saturday to have the time.

 

You'll be good to go. Before I bought my Bestop Step, I made sure it wasn't a knock-off of the one from Amp Research, they both operate the same. The only difference is the size of the step-surface/shape and price.

 

I second the opinion to cut out the metal bracket. I've got the AMP Research model and fought the metal bracket for quite some time (couldn't get the right angle to pull it out). Ended up using the sawzall to cut it into smaller pieces to remove it. I try to follow the directions exactly and this was one of those scenarios where I had to go to my own method for removal. Aside from swapping the metal bracket with the AMP one install was pretty easy and straight forward.

 

Cut the bracket. The installation was a breeze after that.

 

Second Gen's may not have a bracket in the way. There wasn't one on my 2010.

 

Same!

 

I love my bed- step. It's the Bestop Step. It kind of goes out at an angle from the rear bumper. It works great to step up on the tailgate. There's only one way t install it. Definitely recommend.

 

Yup, i did not know how much i needed it until I installed mine!

 

I bought my bestop from Amazon in “opened box” condition for $75 shipped. Box was barely damaged and everything else was like new.

 

Damn, and I thought I was getting a decent deal for 160 shipped.