AMP Research alternative

[Cartage1]

Hello gang., after a pretty frustrating experience with the installer, apparently AMP Research Xtreme's will not work on a 2026 Moab. Not a big fan of the magnet activation, so have pivoted to a fixed step. The RSE's look wicked functional, but don't like the offset, small swing down step.

Fine losing ground clearance as I will not be wheeling it hard, and would prefer something that drops to help the wifey get in and out. Had some powder coated steel on a Tundra and they rusted after one Ohio winter. Not much available in Aluminum, and if steel, just want something that isn't going to quickly rust.

Anyone have any good luck with a step they really like? Have searched the threads and while a couple, seemed like most were aged posts. Happy to review any current links if I missed an obvious one.

Thanks in advance!

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[LukeDagny]

Sorry your AMP steps didn't work out. What about the Extremes didn't work? AMP's regular, non-Extreme steps use a different motor. They may work, if not magnet activation is used on my RV door for retractable steps. Its been trouble free for over 4 years. You may want to consider another brand.

When I installed AMP research steps on my JLUR, I became aware that AMP was going through a design change and moving production to Mexico. It took them shipping me 3 different sets to finally get it right. The sets that didn't work were using the older motor style.

After all the hassle, I really like the functionality of the step surface, compared to other options. The previous owner of my Jeep had Westin 4" oval nerf bars installed. My last Jeep was a 2005 and had slider/steps that looked like this;

https://www.quadratec.com/p/fishbone-offroad/rock-slider-tube-step-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-tj

Neither the nerf bar or slider step was very functional for either me or my wife. The step surface was too small.

 

[brandofamily]

Hello gang., after a pretty frustrating experience with the installer, apparently AMP Research Xtreme's will not work on a 2026 Moab. Not a big fan of the magnet activation, so have pivoted to a fixed step. The RSE's look wicked functional, but don't like the offset, small swing down step.

Fine losing ground clearance as I will not be wheeling it hard, and would prefer something that drops to help the wifey get in and out. Had some powder coated steel on a Tundra and they rusted after one Ohio winter. Not much available in Aluminum, and if steel, just want something that isn't going to quickly rust.

Anyone have any good luck with a step they really like? Have searched the threads and while a couple, seemed like most were aged posts. Happy to review any current links if I missed an obvious one.

Thanks in advance!

I have the RSE steps on my JKU.
What don't you like about the offset? I am not sure what you mean by that.
What I will tell you is that if you live in a colder climate area the steps struggle to deploy and retract in cold weather. They work better with the vehicle running vs off. I wonder if the "brain box" on the version I have reduces power output to the step motors? Not sure, but I am buying them again for my 2026 regardless.

 

[greige]

The offset of the RSE does help some to protect the rear fender from rocks on factory tires/wheels (wheels and tires that don't poke). I had my side turned off with a door delete kit prior to lifting 2" and going to 37s. My wife absolutely needs the step on her side.

I didn't notice any issue with the offset. But I had to turn the step off because I would hit my shins on the step when deployed getting in and out since I am tall enough to not need a step. After the lift/tires I realized i was sliding off the bottom bolster of the seat getting out and am pretty sure that ruins the seat over time.

 

[Cartage1]

Sorry your AMP steps didn't work out. What about the Extremes didn't work? AMP's regular, non-Extreme steps use a different motor. They may work, if not magnet activation is used on my RV door for retractable steps. Its been trouble free for over 4 years. You may want to consider another brand.

When I installed AMP research steps on my JLUR, I became aware that AMP was going through a design change and moving production to Mexico. It took them shipping me 3 different sets to finally get it right. The sets that didn't work were using the older motor style.

After all the hassle, I really like the functionality of the step surface, compared to other options. The previous owner of my Jeep had Westin 4" oval nerf bars installed. My last Jeep was a 2005 and had slider/steps that looked like this;

https://www.quadratec.com/p/fishbone-offroad/rock-slider-tube-step-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-tj

Neither the nerf bar or slider step was very functional for either me or my wife. The step surface was too small.

Thanks for the reply. It was a Comm issue.., wouldn't activate and had two different control units. Amp finally said they were a no-go for the '26 Moab... Had them on a Tundra and loved them, hence my first choice.

 

[Cartage1]

I have the RSE steps on my JKU.
What don't you like about the offset? I am not sure what you mean by that.
What I will tell you is that if you live in a colder climate area the steps struggle to deploy and retract in cold weather. They work better with the vehicle running vs off. I wonder if the "brain box" on the version I have reduces power output to the step motors? Not sure, but I am buying them again for my 2026 regardless.

Hi Anthony.., probably just the narrower step more than the offset. The RSE's "universally" are well reviewed, but because of the build purpose, they are inherently going to have a narrow step and preference is a wider plank..

 

[LukeDagny]

Thanks for the reply. It was a Comm issue.., wouldn't activate and had two different control units. Amp finally said they were a no-go for the '26 Moab... Had them on a Tundra and loved them, hence my first choice.

My understanding is the controller get a signal from the OBD connector. Its just another example of what was Jeep thinking, making the Moab different.

 

[brandofamily]

My understanding is the controller get a signal from the OBD connector. Its just another example of what was Jeep thinking, making the Moab different.

Why use the OBD plug for powered steps? Is that how they were determining doors opened or closed? Sounds over complicated if that’s the case. RSE magnets work fine.

 

[LukeDagny]

Why use the OBD plug for powered steps? Is that how they were determining doors opened or closed? Sounds over complicated if that’s the case. RSE magnets work fine.

I may have not used the correct terminology, but it seems a little more complicated. My AMP Research steps has the control module mounted under the hood, near the battery. There's an OBD module that plugs into the OBD port. A wire from the control module and another from a connector behind the glove compartment feen into the OBD module.

 

[Terrymo]

We have the RSE step sliders and they are great but I understand what you are saying about the narrowness of the step.

What width step do you need to make it most comfortable for your wife? And what height off the ground should the step be? Also note the height of your Jeep and tire size. I think this will get you the best answers.

I think we forget our experiences and circumstances are not everyone else’s

 

[Cartage1]

We have the RSE step sliders and they are great but I understand what you are saying about the narrowness of the step.

What width step do you need to make it most comfortable for your wife? And what height off the ground should the step be? Also note the height of your Jeep and tire size. I think this will get you the best answers.

I think we forget our experiences and circumstances are not everyone else’s

Nailed it @Terrymo , the RSE's seem like a superior set up in many regards, but that wider board will keep me off of a funny video channel for sure, and keep my better half better oriented.
You guys are the best, appreciate the insights, feedback, and experiences.

 

[NXTGENAutomotive]

If you have the factory rails, our removable drop down steps could be a great option.

The lower clamp parts are an alloy, but the rest are powder coated steel. We do use a special zinc coating on the steel before it is coated. That will prevent serious corrosion and meets OEM standards, but you are going to get surface rust in very salty environments if they get chips, etc.

The key is to keep the coating good, which may require some annual maintenance, which we show in our instructions.

Website link: https://nxtgenautomotive.com/xterrain-steps-for-wrangler-gladiator-factory-rock-slider-rails

 

[Cartage1]

Won't be doing any Rock Crawling, and ended up with the Aries Actiontrac. Too bad the Amp Research didn't work, because I like the wider step. Happy so far, install was OK, but had the normal hiccups...

Thanks to all for the help, thought, and feedback! Have some free factory Rock Rails if anyone is local to Cleveland.

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