AMP Power Steps

[TJC]

I am running the same mud flaps and they are identical to the Ford Offering minus the Ford logo. They are holding up well 3+ years later.

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[deleriumtremor]

Just another update on my AMP Powersteps. First, the mudflaps work pretty good at keeping the mud off the sides of my truck. Winter is coming, so they will get the acid test soon.

Alas, there is enough mud getting slung up on the Powersteps still, that I can't keep them clean and lubed well enough so they close completely all the time. If I pressure wash the operator areas and soak the heck out of them with WD40 Silicon spray, I can get them to reliably close all the way up for a week or so, but certainly within 3-4 weeks, the fronts will stop shutting all the way. The gap isn't usually terrible, but it is quite apparent they are not fully closed.

I may end up taking them off if the gap gets any worse over time. For now, I keep at the cleaning and lubing. The steps are wonderful from the standpoint of being perfect for ingress and egress for my wife.

At this point I would say, if you do much off roading at all, I would not recommend this product for a 5GRanger. The mounting holes in the body are clearly hit and miss enough tolerance wise to cause problems with the alignment and proper function in all units.

 

[Chris M]

Just another update on my AMP Powersteps. First, the mudflaps work pretty good at keeping the mud off the sides of my truck. Winter is coming, so they will get the acid test soon.

Alas, there is enough mud getting slung up on the Powersteps still, that I can't keep them clean and lubed well enough so they close completely all the time. If I pressure wash the operator areas and soak the heck out of them with WD40 Silicon spray, I can get them to reliably close all the way up for a week or so, but certainly within 3-4 weeks, the fronts will stop shutting all the way. The gap isn't usually terrible, but it is quite apparent they are not fully closed.

I may end up taking them off if the gap gets any worse over time. For now, I keep at the cleaning and lubing. The steps are wonderful from the standpoint of being perfect for ingress and egress for my wife.

At this point I would say, if you do much off roading at all, I would not recommend this product for a 5GRanger. The mounting holes in the body are clearly hit and miss enough tolerance wise to cause problems with the alignment and proper function in all units.

That's a lot of money, time, and effort spent on your part not to like them any better than you seem to.
Maybe at some point you can find a better functioning alternative and can sell the AMP's to someone that can find better use and function from them.

 

[PltFX4]

Just another update on my AMP Powersteps. First, the mudflaps work pretty good at keeping the mud off the sides of my truck. Winter is coming, so they will get the acid test soon.

Alas, there is enough mud getting slung up on the Powersteps still, that I can't keep them clean and lubed well enough so they close completely all the time. If I pressure wash the operator areas and soak the heck out of them with WD40 Silicon spray, I can get them to reliably close all the way up for a week or so, but certainly within 3-4 weeks, the fronts will stop shutting all the way. The gap isn't usually terrible, but it is quite apparent they are not fully closed.

I may end up taking them off if the gap gets any worse over time. For now, I keep at the cleaning and lubing. The steps are wonderful from the standpoint of being perfect for ingress and egress for my wife.

At this point I would say, if you do much off roading at all, I would not recommend this product for a 5GRanger. The mounting holes in the body are clearly hit and miss enough tolerance wise to cause problems with the alignment and proper function in all units.

I have had the same issue (as noted in post 46 of this thread) and have been keeping the lubed all summer and they are working fin now. But snow season is almost here and have decided on a plan B.

I am planning on super gluing (any hard core adhesive should do) caps like these (plastic caps) over the pivot pins of the AMP lifters with a very small hole at the 12 o'clock position (to let air out) and inject lithium spray grease at the 6 o'clock position till it comes out the top. That should keep water out and the grease to wick into the pivot. (

) May do the other side of the pivot as well, just for good measure.

I would not use regular WD-40 as it is NOT a lubricant... the WD part (water displacement) may help but it evaporates in a short time (day or so).

IMO: AMP should have designed there pivot location with a grove for a cap to snap into and hold some lubricant.

 

[Muscleford]

I have had the same issue (as noted in post 46 of this thread) and have been keeping the lubed all summer and they are working fin now. But snow season is almost here and have decided on a plan B.

I am planning on super gluing (any hard core adhesive should do) caps like these (plastic caps) over the pivot pins of the AMP lifters with a very small hole at the 12 o'clock position (to let air out) and inject lithium spray grease at the 6 o'clock position till it comes out the top. That should keep water out and the grease to wick into the pivot. (

) May do the other side of the pivot as well, just for good measure.

I would not use regular WD-40 as it is NOT a lubricant... the WD part (water displacement) may help but it evaporates in a short time (day or so).

IMO: AMP should have designed there pivot location with a grove for a cap to snap into and hold some lubricant.

You are going to buy 100 of those? If not where are you planning to buy a smaller quantity?

 

[PltFX4]

You are going to buy 100 of those? If not where are you planning to buy a smaller quantity?

No, not planning on buying THAT specific "set" (was on of the first in the list in a Google search)... just an example of what I have in mind.

But if I did buy 100 for $14, I'll send a "set" (4 caps) of the leftover for anyone that needs some for the AMP problem... LOL...

 

[micl9]

No, not planning on buying THAT specific "set" (was on of the first in the list in a Google search)... just an example of what I have in mind.

But if I did buy 100 for $14, I'll send a "set" (4 caps) of the leftover for anyone that needs some for the AMP problem... LOL...

Post pics after you add these
Will be interested in seeing how they look.

Regarding alignment during installation. I noticed AMP updated the instructions. At least since I did Mine years ago.
Passenger has a major clunk so I plan to see if the new instructions are better.
And yes our Rangers really suck for installing these.

 

[deleriumtremor]

That's a lot of money, time, and effort spent on your part not to like them any better than you seem to.
Maybe at some point you can find a better functioning alternative and can sell the AMP's to someone that can find better use and function from them.

It is unfortunate you got the impression that I don't like the AMP Powersteps as nothing could be further from the mark. I think it is because I have had such good luck with them in the past that have stuck with the process as long as I have on my Ranger.

The truth is I believe the problem some people have with these particular steps is more with the tolerances of the mounting hole alignment on our rangers than the steps themselves. I do believe designs with 4 motors likely would have a chance at being more tolerant of the less than perfect mounting hole alignment on some rangers (like mine) than the AMP Powerstep design (don't know that for sure as any misalignment is going to cause some binding), but in any case, they will work flawlessly if you can get them aligned, I have personal experience with that on a GMC Sierra AT4.

If I do decide I can't live with the partially opened gap on the front of the step board when closed, I will pass them on to another member here with a big disclaimer about them maybe not working in their application. I definitely would not recommend anyone with a 5G Ranger that spend a lot of time off road in muddy conditions to buy these Powersteps, at least not unless they are going to be OK with them not closing fully up front.

 

[deleriumtremor]

OK, so one final post on this thread, hopefully somebody will find what I learned about my install helpful.

I could not shake the notion that my issue was primarily an alignment issue (however slight) that caused my steps to not fold all the way up on the front half of the steps (happens on both sides of the truck).

I finally had enough time so I decided I would play with some shims between the body and the linkages, trying to find if I could get the right combination of shims that would allow the rear linkage to drive the front linkage high enough to fully stow it, thus having the steps fully stowed reliably.

Fortunately I started with the rear linkage first and loosened both mounting bolts. I then slipped a large .063 thick washer between the upper mounting point of the linkage and the body, I then cinched the upper bolt first and then tighten the lower bolt. That combination made the condition worse than when I started. The front part of the step had more than a 3" gap between the body and the step when the linkages were stowed (door closed).

I then loosened everything up and retrieved the washer I had used as a shim on the upper bolt location. I then got that washer placed right at the lower bolt location so it would shim that part of the mating surface away from the body. I then tightened the upper bolt first, then tighten the lower bolt. When I closed the door the step stowed perfectly, the front linkage closed up all the way and the alignment was perfect.

Thinking I may have found the right alignment between the two linkages, I loosened everything up and took the temporary washer out and put an .063" fender washer (larger surface area) between the linkage and the body and right where the lower bolt goes through for a more permanent fix. I then tightened the upper bolt first and the finally tightened the lower bolt.

So far, it appears to have solved my finicky AMP Power Steps. I have only done it on the drivers side and will drive it for a month or so to make sure the fix is durable. If so, I will shim the passengers side in the same location with the same sized washer.

Anyone wanting more detailed steps on how to accomplish the shimming can PM me.

I am now, once again, a happy AMP Power Step user.

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