AMP Research vs RockSlider retractable running boards

Deano Bronc

I have the RSE steps and love them. I wanted the protection of a rock rail so this was a great alternative for me. It really unbelievable how beefy they are when installed.

The flat area that can be used as a step is also nice for helping keep stones and mud off the side of Bronco, but on the other hand, it makes it a little tougher to get out of your Bronco without wiping the back of your leg against that muddy edge. You can do it but you have to be careful.

One thing I noticed about the RSE and th AMP is there is not a lot of difference on the price. My wife would have a hard time with the RSE because of the way they stick out. This is going to be a daily driver & the off road. I'm hoping the AMP will give me what we need. These look good.

Bluestreak57

Yeah, i need a little lower step than stock…. As it is, i swing my leg into the truck and don’t even use the running board…

The AMP has a lot of features I’m looking for…. Mostly, tucking out of the way and operating from the OBD so I don’t have to mess with door switches…. I wonder how it manages if the doors are removed…

I thought there was an add on to handle this. The number $79.99 sticks in my brain.

I have watched and spoken with people for the last 2 years about a step as we would need for in and out of the Bronco. I finally got a Badlands 2 door that has a hoop step that is removable. This was ok but still posed some problems to access. I had the RSE rock rail steps installed and they are amazing. Drops lower to make it easy to get in and out. We do plan on doing some trails rocks, nothing crazy. I like the protection it gives. I bought in the BN website with the discount. I recommend these highly.

I have AMP and love them - they were around $1500 from Real Truck. RSEs are more like $2500, so there is a big price difference. I got mine for the same reason - the factory steps were too high and my knee was starting to hurt. My husband and I installed them and it took us about a day and half - we are inexperienced, lol! Plugging into the wires under the dash was the most difficult part. AMP steps also come with lighting and that is really nice at night. Here are some pics where the boards are really dirty. I wrote AMP to find out what I should be cleaning them with because I couldn't get them clean and they ended up sending me new boards, so they stand behind their warranty.

dirty finger

Rock rails/sliders and steps have different functions. When rock crawling, protection is needed from rocks coming up and hitting the bottom of the door area and even the door itself. Getting something that sticks out a few inch’s offers a lot of protection from body/door damage, even door dings. Steps are a nice connivence for getting in and out of the bronco. They wont offer much protection. So depending on how you plan on using your Bronco will determine what’s best for you.

Do you have a recommendation for a rockslider with step function? I have a 4 door badlands, and people have difficulty getting in and out. But I don’t want to wipeout he steps if off-roading and needing to have rocksliders. I error on the worst case lol & hopefully never need the rock slider but need to figure something out . Currently carrying a single foldable step in the back for those that need it 😂. Gets the job done for now.

Sounds like people are happy with the RSE rockslide step?

Thanks!!

DK Bronco

Do you have a recommendation for a rockslider with step function? I have a 4 door badlands, and people have difficulty getting in and out. But I don’t want to wipeout he steps if off-roading and needing to have rocksliders. I error on the worst case lol & hopefully never need the rock slider but need to figure something out . Currently carrying a single foldable step in the back for those that need it 😂. Gets the job done for now.

Sounds like people are happy with the RSE rockslide step?

Thanks!!

Yes, the RSE are also rocksliders which is probably the biggest difference between them and the AMP (well, maybe cost too 😁 ). They are built like a tank but if you plan on getting into a lot of serious rockcrawling, they have a thick outer shield that you can purchase and put over your existing set.

Deano Bronc

Yes, the RSE are also rocksliders which is probably the biggest difference between them and the AMP (well, maybe cost too 😁 ). They are built like a tank but if you plan on getting into a lot of serious rockcrawling, they have a thick outer shield that you can purchase and put over your existing set.

Awesome thank you for the info and that’s good to know you can even beef it up after, if needed!
& the cost of 1 RSE, to do it right first, that’s what I’m all about 🤣
Happy trails 🤙🏼

Long winded, but here is our experience.

We have had the RSE on my wife's JKU for about 4 years now. It's definitely a love-hate, not sure if we will get them on the bronco or not. They do very well as sliders off-road and take some abuse, nothing super crazy though. They look great and it is nice having that extra flat on the top to keep debris from flying into the body. That being said we learned the first winter to just keep them turned off. Snow builds up and if you actuate them they have a hard time closing all the way without some assistance.

On build quality-
We have gone through one actuator motor and two struts. It does sound like they have upgraded the actuator design to be more robust since ours were purchased, so that's a plus. Ours currently don't function properly.

The main gripe for me is finish. The finish is supposedly a powdercoat but it's more of a thin rubber bedliner material and honestly pretty poor. I am able to use a scraper to remove. Ours are rusting through from under the coating outward.
We currently have them disassembled and sending them off for sandblasting and recoating, before I do a complete rebuild of the actuator assemblies. Trying to salvage $2300 steps for a coating issue erks me a little. It's also not like we aren't taking care of them either. The wife gives me crap for washing the vehicles every other week.

The wife loves them and they look great for all the options out there, but if I do get them for our Bronco, I will bedliner before installing.

Soapbox done...

Bluovlfan

Long winded, but here is our experience.

We have had the RSE on my wife's JKU for about 4 years now. It's definitely a love-hate, not sure if we will get them on the bronco or not. They do very well as sliders off-road and take some abuse, nothing super crazy though. They look great and it is nice having that extra flat on the top to keep debris from flying into the body. That being said we learned the first winter to just keep them turned off. Snow builds up and if you actuate them they have a hard time closing all the way without some assistance.

On build quality-
We have gone through one actuator motor and two struts. It does sound like they have upgraded the actuator design to be more robust since ours were purchased, so that's a plus. Ours currently don't function properly.

The main gripe for me is finish. The finish is supposedly a powdercoat but it's more of a thin rubber bedliner material and honestly pretty poor. I am able to use a scraper to remove. Ours are rusting through from under the coating outward.
We currently have them disassembled and sending them off for sandblasting and recoating, before I do a complete rebuild of the actuator assemblies. Trying to salvage $2300 steps for a coating issue erks me a little. It's also not like we aren't taking care of them either. The wife gives me crap for washing the vehicles every other week.

The wife loves them and they look great for all the options out there, but if I do get them for our Bronco, I will bedliner before installing.

Soapbox done...

😮

Bluestreak57

Has anyone installed the AMP Research steps on their Bronco? If so, which model (there are three)…

Looking at those and the RockSlider, but prefer the “not so boxy” look of the AMP standard vs the RockSlider…

Any thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

I’ll be the deserting voice on the AMP. My husband has them on his Ram & LOVES them. I went stock running boards w my Bronco not because I need a step up/in but to protect against inconsiderate door dings. I’m 5’6” - it’s a wee stretch to pop in but nothing I needed equipment to “fix” hope this perspective is helpful

Terri Frank

I’ll be the deserting voice on the AMP. My husband has them on his Ram & LOVES them. I went stock running boards w my Bronco not because I need a step up/in but to protect against inconsiderate door dings. I’m 5’6” - it’s a wee stretch to pop in but nothing I needed equipment to “fix” hope this perspective is helpful

It does! Thanks.

My wife loves the stock running board, and I’m learning to swing my leg in, and I do like the parking lot protection

DK Bronco

Do you have a recommendation for a rockslider with step function? I have a 4 door badlands, and people have difficulty getting in and out. But I don’t want to wipeout he steps if off-roading and needing to have rocksliders. I error on the worst case lol & hopefully never need the rock slider but need to figure something out . Currently carrying a single foldable step in the back for those that need it 😂. Gets the job done for now.

Sounds like people are happy with the RSE rockslide step?

Thanks!!

Archtype and IAG both make stirrups and full length steps that clamp onto the OEM rock rails on the Badlands. I got Archtype stirrups and then their magnums when they went into production. They are 10 min to put on or off. I prefer to take them off when crawling. My husband thinks Archtype has a better clamp than IAG. Pic of both.

Bluovlfan

Long winded, but here is our experience.

We have had the RSE on my wife's JKU for about 4 years now. It's definitely a love-hate, not sure if we will get them on the bronco or not. They do very well as sliders off-road and take some abuse, nothing super crazy though. They look great and it is nice having that extra flat on the top to keep debris from flying into the body. That being said we learned the first winter to just keep them turned off. Snow builds up and if you actuate them they have a hard time closing all the way without some assistance.

On build quality-
We have gone through one actuator motor and two struts. It does sound like they have upgraded the actuator design to be more robust since ours were purchased, so that's a plus. Ours currently don't function properly.

The main gripe for me is finish. The finish is supposedly a powdercoat but it's more of a thin rubber bedliner material and honestly pretty poor. I am able to use a scraper to remove. Ours are rusting through from under the coating outward.
We currently have them disassembled and sending them off for sandblasting and recoating, before I do a complete rebuild of the actuator assemblies. Trying to salvage $2300 steps for a coating issue erks me a little. It's also not like we aren't taking care of them either. The wife gives me crap for washing the vehicles every other week.

The wife loves them and they look great for all the options out there, but if I do get them for our Bronco, I will bedliner before installing.

Soapbox done...

That's strange because the set of RSE slider steps that I just installed seem to be pretty tough powder coat. Time will tell but they looked to be good quality. I purchased from Doetsch Off Road for $2009 delivered for my 2dr. I'm not sure if that promotion is still going on though.

Bluovlfan

Long winded, but here is our experience.

We have had the RSE on my wife's JKU for about 4 years now. It's definitely a love-hate, not sure if we will get them on the bronco or not. They do very well as sliders off-road and take some abuse, nothing super crazy though. They look great and it is nice having that extra flat on the top to keep debris from flying into the body. That being said we learned the first winter to just keep them turned off. Snow builds up and if you actuate them they have a hard time closing all the way without some assistance.

On build quality-
We have gone through one actuator motor and two struts. It does sound like they have upgraded the actuator design to be more robust since ours were purchased, so that's a plus. Ours currently don't function properly.

The main gripe for me is finish. The finish is supposedly a powdercoat but it's more of a thin rubber bedliner material and honestly pretty poor. I am able to use a scraper to remove. Ours are rusting through from under the coating outward.
We currently have them disassembled and sending them off for sandblasting and recoating, before I do a complete rebuild of the actuator assemblies. Trying to salvage $2300 steps for a coating issue erks me a little. It's also not like we aren't taking care of them either. The wife gives me crap for washing the vehicles every other week.

The wife loves them and they look great for all the options out there, but if I do get them for our Bronco, I will bedliner before installing.

Soapbox done...

Good to know on the snow, as we go to Tahoe and mammoth during the winter months.
& regarding the coating issue, that’s really unfortunate… the bed liner coating sounds like a good fix to this but still a bummer extra work is needed for brand new rock slider steps… you’d think the Bed-liner would be standard as they are for off-roading..
hmm, maybe by the time I’m ready they will update their finish 🤔
Thanks for the info!!

Darrel

Archtype and IAG both make stirrups and full length steps that clamp onto the OEM rock rails on the Badlands. I got Archtype stirrups and then their magnums when they went into production. They are 10 min to put on or off. I prefer to take them off when crawling. My husband thinks Archtype has a better clamp than IAG. Pic of both.

Ahh those are nice and would get the job done!! Could always take them off when planning to go off-roading 🤔
Thanks!!

DK Bronco

Do you have a recommendation for a rockslider with step function? I have a 4 door badlands, and people have difficulty getting in and out. But I don’t want to wipeout he steps if off-roading and needing to have rocksliders. I error on the worst case lol & hopefully never need the rock slider but need to figure something out . Currently carrying a single foldable step in the back for those that need it 😂. Gets the job done for now.

Sounds like people are happy with the RSE rockslide step?

Thanks!!

I would highly recommend the rock slide engineering ones. I have beaten my pretty hard. they are awesome!

dirty finger

I would highly recommend the rock slide engineering ones. I have beaten my pretty hard. they are awesome!

Thank you for the recommendation and good to know! Once I’m ready to spend that money, I’m pretty sure I’ll go with the RSE!

I am impressed with the build quality of the RSE... appears to be 1/8 steel (and yes mine are powder coated from RSE). I also added the 3/16" additional wrap. That makes for a pretty substantial slider. I did want mine to "look" a little more factory so I added the factory step molding on the top.

Unicorn

I am impressed with the build quality of the RSE... appears to be 1/8 steel (and yes mine are powder coated from RSE). I also added the 3/16" additional wrap. That makes for a pretty substantial slider. I did want mine to "look" a little more factory so I added the factory step molding on the top.

I like the looks of the step molding.

I am also impressed with the quality of the RSE step sliders. The steel plating is substantial but you were smart to add the additional plating to the outside. A few months ago I was wheeling on Drummond Island and going up this pretty knarly hill with a few decent sized rocks on it. I slipped off one of the rocks and the Bronco came down hard on the right RSE step. Took a look at the damage and it put a pretty significant dent in the outer rail. The step deployed like it should but was kind of worried about extra mud and snow could get into the step area since there was an extra wide gap. I ended up going to a body shop which bent the plate back into place and then they spray painted the scraped area. I have no doubt the optional outer plate would have held up fine. Still debating whether to order the extra plate before I go to Moab next spring. It's not exactly a cheap addition.

Deano Bronc

I like the looks of the step molding.

I am also impressed with the quality of the RSE step sliders. The steel plating is substantial but you were smart to add the additional plating to the outside. A few months ago I was wheeling on Drummond Island and going up this pretty knarly hill with a few decent sized rocks on it. I slipped off one of the rocks and the Bronco came down hard on the right RSE step. Took a look at the damage and it put a pretty significant dent in the outer rail. The step deployed like it should but was kind of worried about extra mud and snow could get into the step area since there was an extra wide gap. I ended up going to a body shop which bent the plate back into place and then they spray painted the scraped area. I have no doubt the optional outer plate would have held up fine. Still debating whether to order the extra plate before I go to Moab next spring. It's not exactly a cheap addition.

The additional slider wrap like I said is actually half again as thick as the original step - 3/16" (original step is 1/8") creating a total of 5/16" that is seriously thick and heavy duty... I have installed a few sliders on jeeps and trucks, Only one was even close to this and it was custom out of square hitch tubing and it did not attach as thoroughly and securely as this one does. Way easier to install than the step was and protects all the bolt heads on the bottom of the original step.

One thing I also like is that the width protects my sides from parking lot dents (clueless people opening doors into your truck)... Go ahead, swing those doors open... and hit this baby!

When I ordered mine they were out of the light kit... So I made my own.... really easy.