AMP Research PowerStep Smart Series Running Boards

Summary: For reference, I installed the unit in about 2.5 hours on a 2026 Jeep Gladiator. This a good product, and works as suggested, but support is horrid with more than a :30 hold time for issues. I am awaiting on resolution from AMP Research on a defective step, disposition TBD as NAPA cannot warranty the item directly, if there is an issue, it has to go through the manufacturer. My experience with working with AR is poor as wait times on phone and email responsiveness are horrid. The breakouts are below. The Product: Overall this is a solidly constructed, good quality components. While the construction is great, the execution is a bit off. Specifically, the under-hood control unit wire leads for positive and/or negative length is not sufficient to tuck the controller someplace where it will first be inconspicuous but secondly secured. Additionally, at the terminal ends, the light brackets are clunky at best, but also the wire leads were short requiring some finessing to get the lights in position. One of the steps has a flaw, more on that below. The door activation and OBD2 integration, the motor quality, and the vehicle specific harness set this unit apart, but it is not without opportunities to improve. Installation: I pulled this off in about 2-2.5 hours all in. The instructions are dated and anything newer than say 2023 the passthrough for the trigger on the firewall is different. Jeep did leave a 1/2" opening/grommet, so that was good. The bad is you have to disassemble the left kick panel. The harness install was straight forward, but the two leads to under the vehicle are a little off, maybe 3" on the second/rear motors, and the aforementioned battery connectors. Moreover, the controller under the hood has no great means for mounting, so you have be a bit creative. Once installed, the app is pretty straight forward and the board motors auto-sync. Lastly, the driver side front motor top bolt and subsequent cover access is limited due to the distance to the frame. I could not get the snap-fitting in place, used a zip tie. You will need a stubby wrench for the right rear. Operation: The step functions great and access is greatly improved. The APP is not very good and there is little support in-app. As a technology person, this is a near 0 rating on usability. There is no user experience and you have to fumble your way through it. it did automatically prompt to update the step flash, but beyond that, its just a mess. While it says RGB, there is no way that I can determine to actually change. One nice feature is the lights act like courtesy/puddle lamps, which the Gladiator did not have. They come on when unlocking/locking the vehicle and time out at a user set duration. One note, these are loud when functioning. Appearance: They look pretty good, which of course is subjective. My supposition is that the Gladiator is unique as it is an 85" board, similar to full-size, so there are two motors. The unit does not tuck up like seen on other trucks. I would also comment, I would have paid more to have the XL nesting capability, but I am not raising the vehicle so the XL would not work. My suggestion to AR is to create a combo, an XL look with the standard drop, and it would look great. When retracted there is about 3/4 gap between the board and the bottom of the door, resembling the rock sliders. If that were closed a bit, it would be much better, but it is hands-down better than stock pinch-weld. I will try to post photos after the step issue is resolved.