Power steps

The AMP steps are a really nice product. Out of the way unless you need them, and low enough that when you do, they actually help. Walk into a set of RoughNecks and you'll know right away why these are a great product. For you naysayers: you just don't know.....

 

Tell that to mine. Motor died.

These things are a major hassel to install and uninstall. I’m going to be cutting mine off. I’m not removing my dash and door panels to unhook everything.

 

Dash and door panels? I didnt need to remove any of those for install. I thought they were super easy to install, the hardest part was completely hiding the wiring harness.

 

I’ve installed many over the years and replaced many with solid step bars shortly after....

 

I installed my AMP Powersteps just after buying the Taco. The wife and I both love them. We are not tall (5'8" and she is 5'5") and my truck is stock height. For me it was not that I could not enter or exit without them but rather the convenience of an easier entry with them. I think they look great and get comments/compliments on a fairly regular basis and a number of questions concerning where I got them.

Bought for a bit over 1K on Amazon and been on the truck for 19 months with absolutely no problems. They also come with a 5 year warranty. Installation took about 2 - 2.5 hours including a trip to Home depot for new metal cutting drill bits as mine were 20+ years old and almost as sharp as a stick of butter.

IMHO The stock step bars have no use other than deflecting shopping carts or for looks, they are basically the same level as the floorboard of the truck. I had solid steps on my prior taco that sat 3 -3.5 inches under the floorboard height, even those were in the way frequently.

Edit: If I ever have a motor failure a replacement is listing for about $100 and will be an simple task to replace 1 plug and 3 (maybe 4) bolts. I would replace both motors multiple times with no complaint, though I really do not expect to have to do so.

 

I guess they'd be ok for a Limited Tacoma....

 

My steps are wired into each door panel and the main power source runs through the bottom of the front dash and hooks into the battery.

The steps are supposed to activate and light up when you open each door. They have to be wired into the light to each door in order to do this. So I'm not sure how one were to be able to install them without going into each door panel.

I'll give you my address, just have the motors sent directly to me.

I didn't buy these steps (would never in a million years spend that much money on these), so $100 for a new motor on steps that I don't like... pass.

I've left them on but unplugged in the up position. I will re-evaluate when I get my lift put on. You don't need these steps on a stock truck, you end up having to step around them. I'll need them when the truck is lifted. But even then I'd rather have a set of steps that stick out 100% of the time to prevent door dings.

PS if you had bars that sat floor level to the truck, those aren't steps they are sliders. They aren't meant to function as steps, they are an offroad protection.

 

I think it is a question of street vs wheeling/crawling.

They are NOT armor and would not work with sliders, without some really creative engineering. For light off road use they would likely be of equal use/danger as most running board/bars.

For a Taco that is a "street queen" they do provide good step utility and a clean look. The drop is about half way to the ground from the tucked position. My parents, they are in their 80's, have been able to use them to assist entry and exit of my truck. Of course appearance is always based on perspective.

 

I did not pull the dash or door panels. I did follow the installation directions that has me pull the inner kick panels (under the dash on each side of the truck)and floor sills to tap the door trigger wires for each door. FYI trigger wires do NOT reside in the doors; speaker wires, blinkers, locks, window controls, mirror controls but not open/closed indicators. Since you did not buy or install them you probably should not advise others on the process without wording in a way to indicate you have not experienced the install..

Every mod and accessory is not for every Tacoma owner. We are all a bit different I doubt anyone forced you to buy a truck with them, you can always remove and sell them.

If you buy quality sliders you are going to spend about the same amount. Stock step bars are in NO way offroad protection/sliders. Anyone who would use them as such is going to be disappointed when they fail for that purpose.


Do you REALLY think these are going to protect the truck form any rocks where a slider would? Check with @Mobtown Offroad , CBI, AtTheHelm, or any of the fine armor vendors here on TW if the stock RUNNING boards are sliders. They may fend off a runaway shopping cart or add the look you want, but are no defense for rock crawling.

I think YOU meant to say that YOU do not need them for a stock truck rather than referring to MY needs or anyone else's. IF you use ANY step bar correctly you should not have to step over or around them, that is actually AVOIDING the use of them. Sliders on the other hand, are not typically made for your feet, they are armor made to protect your truck. Some do add places for feet as an added functionality.

Again, not all mods and accessories are for every TW member. Sorry you think they are a waste and cumbersome please take them off your truck, sell them, trash them, whatever.

Do you and do what you feel is best for your purposes and your truck

 

Wait, they offer a power tailgate lock now?

 

Port installed (or dealer) pop & lock I believe ... so location dependent...

 

Correct it is a port option SET. Just like the Stealth running boards, I understand other areas get round and oval tube steps. Preadator seems to be available for all areas.

I know the power tailgate was a port option on my truck when I got it, but I think SET offered it for 2016 as well, though I may be mistaken.

 

Gonna agree with TC_Mic, power steps are an actual step that allow for easier getting in and out of the Tacoma - lifted or not. And the running boards and predator steps aren’t functional for reasons TC_Mic mentioned above.
Given the drop of the power step, it allows you to step up and into and down and out of the Tacoma rather than sliding up and across the seat while getting in, and then sliding down off of the seat when getting out. All that sliding takes its toll over time on the seat fabric and breaks down the contoured-molded foam of the edge of the seat. Here is a pic of my stock 2012 Tacoma that I recently sold for 2023 Tacoma TRD OR. You can see how a hole has been formed in the fabric by sliding in and out.
I’ll be installing power steps soon. I’m not into rock hopping but do enjoy off roading, so I won’t be at risk of damaging the power step.