PowerStep Plug-N-Play Running Boards
We engineered the PowerStep to solve a problem every truck owner knows: climbing in and out of a lifted cab is hard on your knees, hard on your back, and hard on passengers who don't spend their weekends off-roading. Our electric running board extends automatically when you open the door, giving you a stable 6-inch step, then tucks back under the rocker panel when you close it to preserve ground clearance.
The Plug-N-Play version installs in under an hour using factory wiring harnesses—no splicing, no drilling, no permanent modifications. We designed it for drivers who want OEM-quality function without the dealer install cost. The aircraft-grade aluminum step supports 200 pounds per side and moves through a full rotation cycle in under three seconds.
What makes PowerStep different
How Plug-N-Play installation works
We built the Plug-N-Play kit around factory wiring to eliminate the guesswork and the risk of voiding your truck’s electrical warranty. Each kit ships with vehicle-specific OEM-style connectors that plug directly into your door jamb harness—the same connection points your factory courtesy lights use.
You mount the step brackets to existing frame holes or pre-drilled locations on the rocker panel (depending on your make and model), route the motor harness under the cab, and snap the connectors into place. The system draws power from your battery through a fused relay, and the door-ajar signal triggers the motor. Most experienced DIYers finish the job in 45 to 75 minutes per side.
Materials and construction
We use 6061-T6 aluminum extrusion for the step tread because it delivers the best strength-to-weight ratio in a corrosive environment. The brackets and pivot arms are die-cast aluminum, heat-treated for impact resistance, and we coat every steel fastener with zinc dichromate to prevent rust in road-salt states.
The motor housing is a sealed unit with IP67-rated gaskets, meaning it can sit in three feet of water for 30 minutes without damage. We test every production batch in a cycle chamber that simulates 50,000 door openings under load, plus freeze-thaw cycles from -40°F to 140°F. The anodized finish is Type III hard-coat, the same surface treatment used on heavy equipment, and it resists scratching and fading better than painted or powder-coated options.
Fitment and compatibility
The Plug-N-Play system is available for most full-size trucks and SUVs from 2009 to present, including RAM 1500/2500/3500, Ford F-150/F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan. We also offer kits for select Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator models.
Each kit is built for a specific year range and cab configuration (crew cab, extended cab, or standard cab), so you need to confirm your exact vehicle before ordering. Trucks with aftermarket rock sliders, nerf bars, or wide body kits may require relocation or removal of those components. The step extends 10 inches from the rocker panel when deployed, so check clearance if you park in a narrow garage.
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Common questions about PowerStep Plug-N-Play
The PowerStep is compatible with most lift kits up to six inches as long as your door jamb wiring harness is still accessible. Aftermarket wheels and tires won't interfere with the step itself, but wider tire setups may reduce the clearance between the deployed step and the tire sidewall.
If you've installed rock sliders or nerf bars, you'll likely need to remove them before mounting the PowerStep brackets. Measure the distance from your rocker panel to the ground—if it's more than 24 inches, you may want to consider the PowerStep XL for a wider tread surface.
The PowerStep sits approximately 1.5 inches below the rocker panel when fully retracted. If your truck has 10 inches of ground clearance at the frame, you'll have about 8.5 inches at the step housing.
This is enough for most street driving, light trails, and gravel roads, but it's not ideal for serious rock crawling or deep ruts. If you regularly navigate obstacles taller than 12 inches, take a look at the PowerStep Xtreme, which retracts closer to the frame.
Yes. If the motor stops working, you can manually push the step back into the retracted position and it will stay there until you repair or replace the motor. The step won't lock in place, so avoid driving at highway speeds with it manually retracted—use the system as intended or secure the step with a bungee cord until you can troubleshoot the issue.
Most motor failures are caused by a blown fuse, a disconnected harness plug, or ice buildup in the pivot. Check those three things before assuming the motor itself is bad.
We recommend disconnecting the negative battery terminal before you start, especially if you're working near the relay and fuse pack. The installation doesn't require cutting into the factory wiring, but you'll be handling live connectors if the battery is connected.
Once the system is installed, reconnect the battery and test both steps by opening and closing each door. If one side doesn't deploy, check the door-ajar sensor connection—sometimes the factory plug needs to be reseated.
The mounting brackets attach to existing frame holes or pre-drilled locations on the rocker panel, so you won't be drilling through painted surfaces on most vehicles. The step housing sits close to the rocker but doesn't make contact when retracted—we include rubber bump stops to prevent metal-on-metal contact.
If you ever remove the PowerStep, you'll have exposed bolt holes where the brackets were mounted, but those are usually hidden under the rocker panel line and aren't visible unless you're under the truck.
Each PowerStep kit is built for a specific make, model, year range, and cab configuration. You'll need to know your truck's exact year, whether it's a crew cab or extended cab, and whether it has two or four doors.
Our website has a vehicle selector tool that shows only the kits that fit your truck once you enter your VIN or select your year and model. If you're not sure, call our tech support team and they'll confirm fitment before you order.
The system prioritizes the door-ajar signal, so if you open the door mid-retract, the motor reverses immediately and deploys the step. There's no delay and no risk of damaging the motor—it's designed to handle interruptions and direction changes without issue.
The same logic applies if you close the door while the step is still deploying: the motor switches to retract mode as soon as it sees the door-closed signal.