Amp Research Folding Steps: great quality, but... - Diesel Forum

dirteeboy808 · 10-05-2008, 05:07 AM

...I'm not too sure if I received the the wrong size steps and wrong instructions on accident. All part numbers seemed to match vehicle according to webssite, but steps were too long and ran into other problems

Amp Research Folding Steps for 2008 Ford F-350 Supercab

Problem:
Instruction manual included with Amp Research step setup only had wiring diagrams up to 2007
Solution: Download 2008 specific manual off the Bestop or Amp Research website, but keep the other manual as you'll need it for other parts of installation <C'mon Amp to charge over 1k for steps and the instructions are all mixed up>

Problem:
Both L&R steps were too long and would bind on the front and rear sheetmetal body pinch points
Solution:
Trim at least 3.5" to 4" off to steps so they can recess into space between cab and frame. Play with the spacing, remove the plastic end piece and cut as needed. <How much did I pay for these steps and I can't get the steps cut to the right length, hmmmm>

Problem:
Wiring instructions says that all trigger wires are to be sent through grommet on passenger side only, although wire harnesses guide each trigger wire to driver and passenger side accordingly
Solution:
The door ajar or trigger/step activator wires can be found on each side accordingly so no need to extend driver side to the passenger side

Problem:
Wiring instructions say passenger side trigger wire will need to tapped into all white wire and all yellow wire leading to the rear of the vehicle...<read the instructions you'll know what I mean>
Solution:
The step does not fold with yellow wire hooked up, so leave it off and only hook up the all white wire to trigger wire <purple with black stripe>

Problem:
Steps would work in reverse order, open the door steps would go up and close the door steps would go down
Solution:
Reverse the orange and white wires that plug into the motors, either cut and splice or make it nice and push the connecters out with a pick and reverse in plug

Overall Experience:
The quality of the steps, motors and construction are OEM or equal quality, but it bothered me that I would have to trim a 1k+ product and by so much. The wiring diagrams were sort of correct, although if instructions are year specific they should at least have the correct wiring diagrams. The wiring into the plugs into the motors were also reversed <switch the orange and the white>

jareda80 · 10-06-2008, 01:05 PM

Good to know. I've been debating the amp steps vs. the N-Fab bars.

scottiet61 · 10-06-2008, 06:26 PM

I have these steps on my 2008 Crew Cab. They are excellent. Great quality, strength and very good clean looks on my lifted truck. Perhaps the issues dirteeboy808 is having is isolated to Supercab models only.

dirteeboy808 · 10-07-2008, 12:45 AM

I've tried to contact Bestop and AMP-Research to let them know what's up, but haven't had any reply...It also wouldn't be feasible to return these from Hawaii

It just sucks to pay over 1k for steps and have to custom fab some things to fit...overall though the quality of the steps, motors, etc are excellent...I'm in know way trying to put them AMP-Research down, just an FYI to them

z71burb · 10-07-2008, 01:03 AM

i just installed a set of these on a buddies 2006 cc lb - great product. install took less than 2 hours. the instructions we had were dead on. sorry about your luck!!!

its making me think twice about getting a set for my 08!! i love the steps on his truck, but i like the fact that the bars i have on my truck help protect the paint chips from things getting flung up by my front tires.

asnotme · 10-07-2008, 01:34 AM

dirteeboy808

What island are you on? or where are you in Hawaii?

dirteeboy808 · 10-07-2008, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnotme

dirteeboy808

What island are you on? or where are you in Hawaii?

Oahu...Waikele, Waipahu

jareda80 · 10-07-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z71burb

i just installed a set of these on a buddies 2006 cc lb - great product. install took less than 2 hours. the instructions we had were dead on. sorry about your luck!!!

its making me think twice about getting a set for my 08!! i love the steps on his truck, but i like the fact that the bars i have on my truck help protect the paint chips from things getting flung up by my front tires.

Take a look at these CRE Rocker Flares. I have run them on every truck I've had in the past few years and they really do work great for keeping your rockers looking new. I just threw a set on my 08 last night. They run $200 a set.

CRE Rocker Flares

dirteeboy808 · 10-08-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amp Research Tech

Hello.

My name is Bruce and I am the Amp-Research technical support contact. I am sorry you had trouble with our product. From what you posted I think you may have purchased the Power Step for the 99 - 07 Super Duty Crew Cab. The 2008 Super Duty Power Step uses a totally different wire harness and controller. In addition, we make a different size step for the Crew Cab VS the Super Cab.

Again I apologize if you could not reach us. We are here to help. If you have any questions or need assistance please feel free to call Tech Support at 888-983-2204 or 949-221-4181.

Bruce Landfield
Amp Research Technical Support
Irvine, ca
AMP Research :: Home of the PowerStep, BedStep™ and BedX-Tender™
bruce@amp-research.com

Hey Bruce,

Thanks for the response! I'll PM you a copy of my order.

thanks, Mike

z71burb · 10-08-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jareda80

Take a look at these CRE Rocker Flares. I have run them on every truck I've had in the past few years and they really do work great for keeping your rockers looking new. I just threw a set on my 08 last night. They run $200 a set.

CRE Rocker Flares

i dont believe you can run these and the amp steps together

jareda80 · 10-09-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z71burb

i dont believe you can run these and the amp steps together

I'm pretty sure you can run both. The rocker flares mount to the outside of the pinch weld and the Amp steps mount back behind so there is not interference. I've seen both on super duty's around here. CRE is located in my town so everyone runs the rocker flares.

z71burb · 10-13-2008, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jareda80

I'm pretty sure you can run both. The rocker flares mount to the outside of the pinch weld and the Amp steps mount back behind so there is not interference. I've seen both on super duty's around here. CRE is located in my town so everyone runs the rocker flares.

but the mounting hardware for the steps uses the pinch welds. i dont know how that would affect the mounting of the rocker flares

jareda80 · 10-13-2008, 11:57 AM

The rocker flares bolt to the outside of the pinch weld. I looked at the Amp installation manual for the '08 and it looks like all I'll have to do is drill out the aluminum mounting plate on the rocker flares so I can run the bolts through the pinch weld for the idler and motor assemblies. I'm about to order a set so I'll know soon and post it.

**DCSpecial** · 10-15-2008, 08:23 AM

I agree that it sounds like you were sent the steps with 99-07 wiring and the wrong length if they won't tuck up w/o contacting the body.

Although I do run Crew Cab steps (uncut) on my 07 Super Cab....just rolled a little bit of sheet metal at the back of the cab.

jrz1 · 05-30-2009, 06:10 PM

I have the same problem with a set of steps I tried to install today. The driver's side works fine but the passenger side won't operate with the white and yellow wires connected. I know it's the right set as it says 2008 F250 right on the wire harness. I tried the motor on the other side and it worked fine so must be the wiring or the controller. I tried one black/purple wire as indicated above but it doesn't work.

I'm sure I'll get an answer this week but it is frustrating that there is no tech support on weekends when most people are probably trying to install these.