Good morning-
I have been asked by a few different people to outline what I used and the steps I followed to install the power running board / side steps on my 2023 Power Wagon. All this information is in this thread, I am just consolidating what others did before me. I am very thankful for their trailblazing.
Some know that I am a fixed ops manager at one of the largest parts dealerships in the country. If you were to call our store our employees would likely tell you this cannot be done. The first reason being they do not have experience with testing it or installing it. With no experience they would not want to give a customer the wrong information. The second being there is no documentation through Ram and there is no accessory kit available for a 2500, 3rd being who do they turn to if something does not work but they have asked you to spend a couple thousand dollars?
As the vehicle owner there is a risk we take when we complete projects like this. Having said that, the risk is greatly reduced through forums such as this when prior experience is shared.
My experience:
MY Truck: 2023 Ram Power Wagon Level 2
I followed the prior posts in this thread and the result is working steps on a 2023 Ram Power Wagon.
I did not need to modify any structures or relocate anything on the truck. The installation was as easy of a project that I have completed. It was much easier than the installing the center console phone charging pad offered from Mopar (82215150AG – another part your dealer will tell you isn’t available for a 2023).
Parts used on 2023 2500 W/ 6’4” **different boards are needed for a Mega Cab**
68461640AB – QTY 1 Right front hinge bracket and motor assembly
68461641AB – QTY 1 Left front hinge bracket and motor assembly
68461638AA – QTY 1 Right rear hinge bracket
68461639AA – QTY 1 Left rear hinge bracket
68461637AA – QTY 2 Crew Cab aluminum board includes end caps (right and left are the same)
68461642AA – QTY2 Torque rod (connects front step motor/brkt to rear steps bracket)
6511062AA – QTY 8 Rivnuts Rocker Panel (2 used per bracket no drilling required the holes are already in the body)
6102165AA – QTY 8 Bolts m8x1.25x30 (2 per bracket through bracket into rivnut)
6507610AA – QTY 8 Bolts m6x1.00x30.00 (2 per hinge bracket the holes are already present in the pinch weld)
68367399AF – QTY 1 Power running board module
68422689AB – QTY 1 Power running board harness (from a Ram 1500 accessory kit)
Grey Connector – QTY 1 Must Source see pictures.
You can use the installation instructions from the ram 1500 accessory kit to help guide you. The 2500 is very similar to the 2500. The only difference from the instruction for a 1500 and the 2500 is where you mount the control module. Because the 1500 mounts on the driver side and the 2500 is normally on the passenger. When following the wiring instructions, you will see plenty of room on the driver’s side to mount the module. For my installation, I trimmed off the mounting tabs (plastic) from the module which allowed it to slip in by the parking brake assembly. Also please note that the instruction will say you need to remove the wheel liners to install the harness. That is not necessary, you can feed the wires down without doing that.
Notes:
- The can bus connector- As noted in the thread, the can bus connector is slightly different and needs to be trimmed.
- The instructions will show you that there are studs that mount the motor/bracket. The 2500 used wellnuts and bolts, not studs. It is really easy to see which holes to use if you hang the motor/bracket in place.
- The power running board module will wake up automatically there is no programming needed.
- If you want to add the power sidestep button in your radio, you will need an Alfo OBD. The dealer will not be able to do this because it is not an option listed in our vehicle options update. I have successfully added the power steps into the vehicle configuration on my 2023 using Alfa OBD and the three options updates. Reference page 4 of this thread.
- the 2023 parts catalogue has some incorrect information. DO NOT rely on those part numbers as of 3.19.23. take a look at the 2022 catalogue as it is accurate.
Results: I have working Power Running boards on my 2023 Power Wagon with no issues at all.
