- First Name
- Gil
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2022
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 77
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Raptor
- Your Bronco Model
- Wildtrak
- Thread starter
- #1
So, just spent a fun Saturday installing a set of Amp Research Powersteps on my 4-door Wildtrak. I didn't have stepbars to begin with so that eliminated a few steps. What I learned was this install is more challenging than it looks on the surface, so I thought I'd share a few tips to save others a massive headache or two.
1. The included instructions are total garbage. Instead, watch this video: This guy goes through the install in detail and gives you a good idea of what to expect.
2. Make sure you have the following tools ready to go: 15 & 13mm sockets, Allen wrench set, and most important: 15 & 13mm Gearwrenches. If you don't have Gearwrenches aka ratchet wrenches, don't even bother starting this install.
3. When inserting the first bolt to hang each bracket, run it in as far as you can and still slide the bracket on. The brackets allow VERY small movements with the ratchet wrenches, so the less you need to tighten them after the bracket is in place, the better.
4. When installing the motors to the rear brackets, cycle the bracket to wherever you need it to be to line up the gear on the motor so the 2-mounting bolts line up. They don't need to be fully extended like he says in the video, the steps will self calibrate when you go hot with the electric.
5. You don't need jackstands to install the actual steps. They rest on the brackets quite nicely and can easily be installed by 1-person.
6. Tapping the 2-wires under the dash is nightmare level difficult. I'm not a small guy, but you have to be a contortionist to reach the harness. The included Posi-Taps are tiny, and I'd highly recommend ordering a few extras before the install because you are going to 100% end up dropping one of the tap pieces behind the kickpanel where it will be lost forever. Best to just have backups so you don't do what I did which is attempt to use a crimp tap, accidentally cut the wire, cause 2 blind/cross traffic fault codes and your steps won't work before you figure out what you did and end up splicing the tiny stump of wire left coming out of the factory harness = +2hrs of cussing. Happy ending, but man I don't ever want to have to do that part again.
In the end the steps look fantastic and work as well as expected. Wife can now get into the Bronco easily, and the steps tuck in nice and tight hiding the pinch seem. Hope these tips help anyone else who decides to tack this.
1. The included instructions are total garbage. Instead, watch this video: This guy goes through the install in detail and gives you a good idea of what to expect.
2. Make sure you have the following tools ready to go: 15 & 13mm sockets, Allen wrench set, and most important: 15 & 13mm Gearwrenches. If you don't have Gearwrenches aka ratchet wrenches, don't even bother starting this install.
3. When inserting the first bolt to hang each bracket, run it in as far as you can and still slide the bracket on. The brackets allow VERY small movements with the ratchet wrenches, so the less you need to tighten them after the bracket is in place, the better.
4. When installing the motors to the rear brackets, cycle the bracket to wherever you need it to be to line up the gear on the motor so the 2-mounting bolts line up. They don't need to be fully extended like he says in the video, the steps will self calibrate when you go hot with the electric.
5. You don't need jackstands to install the actual steps. They rest on the brackets quite nicely and can easily be installed by 1-person.
6. Tapping the 2-wires under the dash is nightmare level difficult. I'm not a small guy, but you have to be a contortionist to reach the harness. The included Posi-Taps are tiny, and I'd highly recommend ordering a few extras before the install because you are going to 100% end up dropping one of the tap pieces behind the kickpanel where it will be lost forever. Best to just have backups so you don't do what I did which is attempt to use a crimp tap, accidentally cut the wire, cause 2 blind/cross traffic fault codes and your steps won't work before you figure out what you did and end up splicing the tiny stump of wire left coming out of the factory harness = +2hrs of cussing. Happy ending, but man I don't ever want to have to do that part again.
In the end the steps look fantastic and work as well as expected. Wife can now get into the Bronco easily, and the steps tuck in nice and tight hiding the pinch seem. Hope these tips help anyone else who decides to tack this.
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