Amp Research Powerstep

[harrij4]

OK, as promised I've compiled a very detailed guide for bracket fabrication and installation of the brackets and steps. It has lots of pictures and a full set of prints, but that unfortunately makes it a huge document (96MB). So, I've hosted it on my personal Google Drive, but made it publicly available via this link:

Bracket Fabrication and Install Guide for Amp Research Powersteps (1st Gen K5)

I'll also attach just the prints to a later post here.

Hopefully this helps someone out there!

[harrij4]

Posting PDFs of the prints. Here are the core components:

[harrij4]

Posting PDFs of the prints. Here are the weldments:

[Blazerowner]

Very nice. Much appreciated.

[paujones1]

I purchased the Powersteps for the Jeep as recommended. I’m wondering if aluminum stock would work for the brackets vs steel?
Posted via Mobile Device

[harrij4]

Originally Posted by paujones1

I purchased the Powersteps for the Jeep as recommended. I’m wondering if aluminum stock would work for the brackets vs steel?
Posted via Mobile Device

It probably would. I personally went with steel because a) I didn't want to experience any flex when standing on the steps, and b) because I'm better at welding steel than aluminum

Beyond stiffness, the issue you'd run into (if trying to use my design exactly) would be the weld nuts on the top plate assembly.

[paujones1]

I went ahead and ordered the steel and hardware per
Your specs. Pricier than I expected but I have it shipping so that cost a few bucks. I went with 4 4” lower plates that I will weld into the 2 plates. Was easier than sourcing 8” wide plate steel. I may have some questions / comments when I get into it… but I am very grateful for the recommendations, instructions and supply list!
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[Blazerowner]

Another option:

https://hoganbuilt.com/productPages/exterior/ampStep

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

Another option:

https://hoganbuilt.com/productPages/exterior/ampStep

Yikes! Seems Blazers are bit more troublesome than trucks, but that is a hefty price they are asking for RND on the brackets. Was just able to just use some axle shims to get Amp steps on my 72 SWB truck. Install can be seen in my build thread.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

Another option:

https://hoganbuilt.com/productPages/exterior/ampStep

I'm in the middle of installing these on mine

[Blazerowner]

Happen to have some pictures of the install? I just ordered a set.

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

I'm in the middle of installing these on mine

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

Happen to have some pictures of the install? I just ordered a set.

I'll post some pics when i get back in the garage to keep working on it.

Do you have your AMP steps already?

[Blazerowner]

Not yet. I ordered a set from summit racing but they are on back order.

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

I'll post some pics when i get back in the garage to keep working on it.

Do you have your AMP steps already?

[SeventyOne]

I got the Hogan Built // AMP step install all finished up this past Friday ahead of a local K5 meetup. The steps got a lot of attention!

The installation proved to be difficult in a few areas - some of which where just poor or vague instructions. Here's a rundown/recap while it's fresh:

BRACKET + STEP INSTALLATION
-The rear brackets bolts to the end of the rocker box end caps. My driver side cage nuts broke off so I had to fish a box wrench with tape through the tiny channel. It was tedious and frustrating but I got it done.

-Apparently AMP changed the design of their step motor housings at some point which was unknown to HB. My motors did NOT fit the rear step brackets provided by HB. They put me in contact with their fab guy who was SUPER helpful and got me a revised set of brackets in less than 2 weeks. So if your motor housings (they're attached to the arms) have a plastic housing I would reach out to HB to make sure you have the right rear brackets. If your motor housings are made of cast aluminum you should be fine.

-The Passenger side step motor should be attached to the motor housing with the 3 screws BEFORE you bolt on the bracket (which is counter to the instructions you get from HB, but is what the AMP instructions would tell you to do). You will NOT be able to get the top screw in place otherwise.

-Side note 1: when talking to the fab buy at HB he recommended to install the rear motor arms into the rear brackets before installing in the truck, also counter to the HB instructions. It's doable both ways (because i did it both ways) but be aware you can install the arms into the brackets on a bench which may be easier.

-Side note 2: while I was working with my original brackets the bolt holes are extremely tight due to the powder coating. I ran a 5/16" bit through all the holes at the direction of the HB fab guy. The revised set of brackets I received had the holes enlarged slightly so that even with the powder coating the bolts fit perfectly.

-Side note 3: once my steps were wired and moving up and down it became apparent that the lip at the bottom of the rocker boxes comes into contact with the step. Fab guy recco'd the rocker box should be trimmed - and potentially to run a low-profile allen-head bolt for the bottom, outboard-most rocker box bolt. I removed the bolt completely (did not replace it yet) and ground quite a bit of material away in the form of semi-circle in order to improve the clearance between the step and rocker box edge. This lack of info in the instructions seemed to be the biggest miss for me.

WIRING
-I severely dislike the plastic corrugated wire harness stuff so i completely disassembled the AMP wiring harness to remove. In the process I also removed the wiring for the 4 LED lights since i did not want to run them.

-Since the AMP kit is for a 4 door truck you have 2 purple trigger wires you do not need. With the harness stripped down it was easy to just snip the 2 extra wires after the factory diodes.

-I reached out to HB to ask where they mount the controller and they said it varies from build to build but in general they mount it under the dash/on the column. I found a perfect spot on the side of the brake pedal bracket (may not work on a manual truck). I have an AAW harness and it comes ready with a 30amp battery power connection. So i ran the red power wire there, and just grounded the black wire to a spot under the dash.

-The 2 purple wires were routed and connected close to each of the factory door switch (Courtesy Ground) wires and installed with the HB provided diodes.

-For the 2 motor wires/plugs I used a standard Molex tool to unpin the wires from the AMP controller connector. I used the OE Blazer jack holes behind the driver seat to get the wires from the underside of the truck, through the holes, under the carpet, and ran up under the dash. Note: I needed to enlarge the jack holes slightly to fit a grommet. Link to Molex tool below to unpin.

-The passenger side motor wires came up a little short and needed to be extended. You may not need to depending on how you route your wires.

REVIEW/RECAP
All in all it's probably in the top 5 mods I've made to my truck. I have a 6" lift and 37" tires and I didnt realize until the steps were on how NICE it is to have them. My Wife and daugther are also super excited to have them
Plus they look pretty stealth when retracted and most wouldnt notice theyre even there.

I'm also realizing now I only have pics of the steps and none of the wiring - so I should get some soon. I do have videos but not sure how to add them here without some other hosting site - maybe i can make a post on my Instagram and ya'll can go there if anyone's curious.

Final note - I have yet to do the trimming and reinstallation of the inner fenders but should be tackling that soon. Seems straight forward but will follow up if i have any issues to share there.


Molex tool: https://www.amazon.com/Connector-Rem.../dp/B0094MIS9U

Pics:

[Blazerowner]

I have my brackets partially installed. I am waiting on the steps to show up. The instructions could be better in my opinion. Full page pictures would be nice. The pictures showing how to trim the inner fenders are too small and you can’t see the tape measure. He actually sent me larger pics. I have attached them.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

I have my brackets partially installed. I am waiting on the steps to show up. The instructions could be better for the price in my opinion. The pictures showing how to trim the inner fenders are too small and you can’t see the tape measure. He actually sent me larger pics. I have attached them.

Helpful thank you. Agreed the instructions leave a lot to be desired and I wish the level of detail and thought was aligned with the quality of work I see from their shop.

[Blazerowner]

I agree the work is nice. The brackets seem to be either laser or water jet cut. They are nice and I haven’t had fitment issue on the truck. I’m hoping I have the right brackets but FedEx is running late so I may not know until tomorrow which motors I have. Any chance you can grab a picture of where you had to trim the rocker box?

[SeventyOne]

I dont have a pic of the clearance I ground into the rocker box but you can see the interference here:



the outer edge of the top of the step comes in contact with that lip. you can see the bolt head/washer to the right of that lip. I ground probably a 1/4"+ semi-circle to clearance that once spot on both sides. It still hits a little bit but i'm fine with it.

When you test fit the steps and cycle them manually you'll be able to tell where to trim.

[Blazerowner]

Thank you.

[Blazerowner]

Quick shot of the motors I received. I haven’t checked for fitment yet.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

Quick shot of the motors I received. I haven’t checked for fitment yet.

Not the motors - you need to check the motor housings. They will already be attached to the rear AMP arms.

[Blazerowner]

Appear to be plastic. I emailed Nick and he said I have the new version of the brackets so should be no issue.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

Appear to be plastic. I emailed Nick and he said I have the new version of the brackets so should be no issue.

Nice - glad I could be your guinea pig
Good luck with the install!

[Blazerowner]

Thank you.

[Blazerowner]

I have mine installed. I had to grind the boxes as well. Very light amount on the drivers side to clear and I installed some button head bolts. The passenger side took a little more material to clear. The bolt required a little grinding as well. I used a small belt sander to remove the material and have control. I mounted the control box near the battery in the engine bay. Its small and and had a spot right behind the radiator overflow. Then I just ran the wires down the frame and connected them. I had to extend for the driver side. One thing to note the wiring is grounded together for the interior lights. I had to cut the ground from the right side to stop both steps from coming down with one door open.