Electric Retractable Running Boards Install?

[MIKEYHD]

I’m picking up a new Lariat next week. I‘m curious if anyone has installed the retractable running boards on their Lightning. They come down lower than the stationary ones. My wife has a handicap and it would make things a little easier.
How about lowering the stationary running boards. Has anyone done that.

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[watts/up]

They're not for everyone, but I installed the PowerStep XL running boards on my truck. They do deploy pretty low compared to stationary boards, especially if your truck is at the stock height but I personally wouldn't say they present too low. I find them comfortable to use and they hide the battery which was actually one of my primary reasons for installing them.

This isn't my truck but these are the boards on a Lightning. Note that this user's truck is leveled so the front is an inch or two higher than stock.

 

[Firn]

Iirc there is a variety of components necessary for it to work. I believe the Lariat should have those, but I'm not certain about that. If you do look into it I believe that Superduty running boards mount but drop lower than F150 versions.

Or, go aftermarket like wattsup said. Those are pretty popular and I believe we'll liked

 

[MIKEYHD]

Thanks for the info. I like those.

 

[watts/up]

One additional note that I should included: the regular PowerSteps don’t deploy as low as the XLs and tuck up under the truck for a more seamless install. Those are another option that people seem to like too.

IIRC, I believe that Amp used to provide the factory running boards but Ford has since switched to a different supplier. I could be wrong on that though.

 

[djwildstar]

I‘m curious if anyone has installed the retractable running boards on their Lightning. They come down lower than the stationary ones. My wife has a handicap and it would make things a little easier.

I have a '23 Lariat, and my wife has osteoarthritis. Her reaction to the stock running boards was that she was certainly going to slip and fall at some point -- it was just a question of time.

I got AMP Research PowerSteps installed after our first big trip in the truck, maybe a month after we bought it. My local OffRoad Warehouse had the right steps in-stock, and installation took them a few hours. Overall I'm extremely happy with the steps, and haven't had problems with them since they were installed.

The base PowerStep is exactly what we needed. The step swings out bit lower and a bit farther than the stock running boards, almost exactly halfway between the cab floor and the ground. The step is a bit wider than the stock running board, and has open toe-space behind it, so that footing feels much more secure. My feeling is that the standard PowerSteps are just about perfect for a stock Lightning. The XL PowerSteps come down lower, and are the right choice for a leveled or lifted truck.

The steps plug into the OBD2 port so that they react when the doors are opened. I had an OBD2 splitter installed so that I could also plug in a BLE OBD2 reader for use with ABRP and CarScanner without unplugging the steps. Compared to Ford factory steps that I've seen on the Platinum, the AMP steps swing out and retract faster, and only when a door is opened on the same side as the step. The Ford steps swing out on both sides when the approach lights are activated, and seem a bit slower.

The AMP (RealTrucks) website currently lists Part # 76252-01A as the correct standard PowerSteps for 2022-2024 model year Lightnings. Their site doesn't say anything one way or the other for the 2025 model year yet.

 

[Adventureboy]

I have the factory Ford retractable running boards now since my 2018 ICE and now on my 2023L. They are much easier for my elderly parents. Bigger and lower.

They do take some maintenance. They need to be lubricated/sealed every year or they will cause some problems. My 2018 gave me some issues about 18 months in (second winter) and since then I lubricate yearly and have had no problems since on either one. It takes 10 minutes/year.

 

[BSEE SPARKY]

@Adventureboy,
What do you mean by seal them? What lube do you use?

 

[Adventureboy]

@Adventureboy,
What do you mean by seal them? What lube do you use?

I lube with a lithium-based spray grease, then wipe off all excess and use Fluidfilm (lanolin based) to seal the joints. Fluidfilm is probably overkill but it builds a protective barrier that keeps the grease in and the water/salt out.

 

[Robocop]

hello,

I've been doing some reading on this and Rough Country has an option you ought to consider that is much less expensive than the ones made by AMP Research. I'm likely going to go with the RC ones when my time comes to do this same upgrade.

There are already other threads here from other owners comparing the two with photographs that you can check out. They were very helpful for me.

 

[watts/up]

Unless the RC boards have changed they relied on the installation of magnetic sensors to determine if the doors were open or not. That was a dealbreaker for me.

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