Power Running Boards

No, I don't even have running boards. Just looking at the options and curious about how they install and work. I ordered some plain fixed boards and the vendor sent me the wrong ones, so I got a refund and now I am reconsidering all my options.

The GoRhinos have their own controller and the install looks pretty straightforward. Only parts I don't like is how the instructions gloss over the interior work like "remove this panel" or "remove the carpet". I really don't feel like getting into all that on this new a truck so may just go with fixed as I was planning. IDK.

 

Oh ok. I have a complete Amp Research set but I plan to sell them whole. I thought of using it's ECU but I already have the Toyota ECU and I'm stubborn to take the easy way out. LoL I like a challenge. Maybe I can make time and try to get these on my truck. I have a Mosconi Pico 8|10 that I want to install too. I bought it for my 2019 and never installed it.

 

Further perusing the GoRhino E-board directions and it looks easier than I thought. This kit does not require that you tap into the truck's door circuits, rather it uses magnetic contacts placed on each door jamb to sense position.

 

How can you tell if your truck has the capacity to run the OEM powered boards?

 

I'm gonna guess, be a Platinum or 1794 at the minimum as Limited and lower, they are not even an option.

 

Okay, I'll hit up the dealer about it. I have a TRD Pro coming in a few weeks and it would be amazing to add the stock power steps.

 

I am getting closer to going with the Rhino power steps. Install looks easy peasy except for one particular step where the drivers side door sense wire and the master switch wires need to be fed from the passenger side where they come in under the seat through a plastic plug and then routed "under the console" over to the driver's side door jamb. I'd rather not be removing the console... or seats. Been there and done on other vehicles that but I'm not in the mood. There might be some other way to do it. IDK.

 

thats sound like a lot more than I would want to mess with for running boards

 

The TRD Pro is built off the Limited trim so it will not have the wiring harness for power boards/step. There may even be an ECU involved. Toyota loves their ECUs on this truck for a lot of things.

 

It may be a PITA or it may be nothing at all. Hard to say, which is the issue. This is my daily driver, and won't fit in my garage so I am not going to have a chance to explore this for now. Hopefully someone here will remove the console for some reason... to install these boards, upgrade audio, or whatever... and can share what all is involved in getting that console out of the way. Otherwise, the electrical install for the GoRhinos is trivial for anyone who has done even minimal electrical work before.

 

Smittybilt has there available now PWD5003, and about $400 less, and dual motor too. But I'm going to wait for AMP, had AMP on my RAM for 8 years with ZERO issue

 

I went with the GoRhinos but received notification afterwards that they are on back order. Anyone have an idea how long it will take? I haven’t seen a response from their customer service yet.

 

That's too bad. When you get them please document your install, primarily for the interior work to route the few wires that have to go into the cab for the door sensing and master switch. The GR instructions have them entering the cab through a plastic drain plug under the passenger side seat which is a good way to do that. But how much trouble is it then to get the wires to the drivers side. Do you need to pull the seat(s) or the console? Or can we maybe fish the wires up to the passenger footwell and then under the dash over to the drivers door jamb?

 

Talked to AMP Today, they should be releasing the "XL" version in a couple weeks, and the standard shortly after

 

What's the difference between the XL and standard? Weight capacity? I looked at the install instructions and the non plug and play version Amps connect up to the vehicle's door sense circuits via taps (or you could solder). In the 4Runner example I read they tell you where to look for the wires and their colors. That seems like a neater way to go than the GoRhinos with their stick-on magnetic contacts. Plus, with the Amps there is no need to run wires across the cabin under the carpet which would likely be a real PITA. The install I read brings the wires up on the drivers side where they connect to the door sense circuits in the kick panel. The plug and play version would be even easier.

 

I'd love that style, so we don't have to pull wires across. I have the RBP steps for my Wrangler and they use magnets and wires across the interior. Really not a hard job, since the jeep is made to come apart, but I'd rather it be cleaner.

 

XL is for lifted trucks, it goes down further when deployed. I had a RAM with a 8" lift, the regular works fine

 

RBP and Go Rhino same source same style of install. AMP is Cleaner.

 

The more I research this AMP seems like the way to go. Even their non plug and play versions are a much cleaner install. Before I started looking, I figured all mfgs would simply tap into the truck's door sense circuit like the Amps and I was surprised to see the others' magnetic contact designs. Not that they won't work just fine. Just more wires to manage and more interior disassembly required to fish them. But then the Amps are not available. Just like the Amp (and Toyota) bed steps are not available. So, there is that...

 

I would have used AMP on my wrangler, but the way they were on the jeep has too much step without support. doesn't look like that with the Tundra, so definitely going with them.

 

Only thing that concerns me with the Amps is that their description says that theirs go the lowest, which for a non-lifted truck might be lower than optimum. IDK. Need to see a set installed on a stock Tundra. I mean, if the steps are really close to the ground, what's the point?

 

they extend between 11-13in, so measure from the under the door and see

 

I have the OEM powered boards on my truck and measuring from the door sill to the top of the board is 13". I did not measure form the ground for a reference point as tire size/pressure and suspension could be dramatically different between our vehicles. Perhaps this will help.

 

My Go Rhinos shipped a couple days after being told they were on back order, so there are no major delays with them. I will try and take some pictures of the install for those with questions on the wire routing.

The Amp sounds like a cleaner install from what people are saying about them but they are still not available as of now. With all of the supply chain delays the last few years that release could easily end up being pushed several months out and I don’t want to wait that long since my kids can’t get in without my help.

 

Sounds good. I read the instructions in detail and it actually sounds like a pretty easy job. The controller mounts to one of the passenger side brackets so the wires enter the cab through the floor on that side. The only trick is getting the couple of wires that need to go from there over to the driver's side sill and kick panel. That is more about the Tundra than the kit itself. That's the part I would really like to see. The rest of their directions are really good but they don't offer any details on the vehicle specific trim part other than "under the console and carpet"... or somesuch.

 

I am interested as well. Please keep us updated, details and pictures greatly appreciated.

 

Just found this video and he also states a discount code in the video on GoRhino E1 Electric Running Boards...

https://youtu.be/8oY61meAAg4

 

I asked my question about the wire routing over on Youtube. I'll post here if he answers.

 

I Looked at some of his replies and he says he paid a shop to have it installed but hopefully he can check to see how it was routed.

 

You can start looking at this now. The directions say that door sensor wires and the switch wires get routed through a plastic plug under the passenger seat. This is close to where the controller is mounted, so it makes sense. I used plugs like that on my Tacoma for subwoofer wiring and that is easy to do. Then there is a "split" or overlap in the carpet under the passenger seat so you can grab and work with the wires. Passenger door sense goes under the carpet over to the passenger sill... easy... and the driver's door sense and switch need to go the other way... somehow. Not so easy??