I was searching the internet on how to waste money that I dont really have and I came across the runningboards that move down when the door opens. I though it looked cool and was interested if anyone has then on there Ex.

Questions would be

does the motor move slower in the winter time and what happens when the snow gets all over the step on retracking step.

I also saw them on the show street customs or something to that nature. They were placed on an expedition though.

 

Link? The step extends on my RV automatically when the door is opened. Same speed winter/spring/fall/summer. When it works that is. Gotta make sure hte track is clear, clear of any objects under the step, no curbs, etc. Then you have to worry about the door button not sticking, and wiring it up into hte truck. If there was a practical alternative for my RV, I'd use it. Also, the automatic steps are not very attractive from what I've seen, compared to the running boards. I'd invest in something like bug guard, rain guards, brush guard.

 

A poster named (I think ) Johnny Airtime had them on his rig. I think they are called "Powersteps". Seriously cool.

At the time, he sent me pics of his install and I did my homework on them. The thing that kept me from pulling the trigger on them was that I would have to re-work the way my airhorn tank is mounted underneath the truck. Oh yeah, and the cost.

The do install in the original board's bracket holes, which is nice.

Come to think of it...my other concern was where they are when they are in lowered position. They are lower than the factory steps, and more narrow.

I figure when the time comes that my factory steps are so worn that I can;t stand them anymore...I'll consider the powered ones.

 

I saw a new Lincoln Navigator with them the other day. When the girl opened the driver's door they came down. To me, it just looks like something else to break or require service way to often. And there's already enough to break down and require service on most vehicles now.

 

They do break quite fequently on the Navigators. At one of the dealerships that I used to work at we had one and the steps and the rear power lift gate both quit. It was a $800 module that had to be replaced AND THEN reprogramed by the dealer for even more money.

 

I don't have any personal experience with these steps but they do look cool.

Here's two links.

Amp Research:

AMP Research > Power Step Running Board


This one is bad azz:

One Up Offroad

 

I have them on my wife's Navigator and we both dislike them - so much I've debated disconnecting them or changing the setting to turn them off.
The Navigator is low though - do you have a BIG lift where you need them to ease getting in and out?