Bestop powerboard nx User manual

Installation Instructions
INSTALLATION TIME SKILL LEVEL
3 Hours 3 - Moderately Difficult
TOOLS
Vehicle Application
9/32" Drill Bit
Automatic Retracting Running Board
10 mm,
13 mm
13 mm 5 mm
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PowerBoard®NX
Patent Pending
•Chevy Silverado/GMC
Sierra Extended Cab Diesel
2011 and newer
Part Number: 75647-15
•Chevy Silverado/GMC
Sierra Crew Cab Diesel
2011 and newer
Part Number: 75646-15

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 2
Wiring Harness, Part
Number 495.58, Qty - 1
Magnet, Part
Number 491.97,
Qty - 5 Magnet Holder, Part
Number 491.98, Qty - 5
Sensor - Passenger
Side Front, Part Number
492.00, Qty - 1
Wireless Component Kit
Sensor - Passenger
Side Rear, Part Number
492.02, Qty - 1
Sensor - Driver Side
Front, Part Number
492.01, Qty - 1
Sensor - Driver Side
Rear, Part Number
492.03 , Qty - 1
Receiver, Part Number
491.99, Qty - 1
17" Nylon Zip Tie, Part
Number 492.06, Qty - 2
Parts List and Hardware Identification
7" Cable Ties, Part Number 460.99, Qty - 25
Brake Cable Ring,
Part Number 460.93,
Qty - 1, (Silverado and
Sierra Heavy Duty Only)
Running Board Assembly, Qty - 2
79" - Part Number 460.87
72" - Part Number 473.14
Left End Cap,
Part Number
460.83, Qty - 1
Right End Cap,
Part Number
460.82, Qty - 1
T-Nut Insert, Part
Number 460.84,
Qty - 2 M6 Nut Plate,
Part Number
460.86, Qty - 2
M6-1.0 x 10mm Socket
Cap Screw, Part Number
460.85, Qty - 2
Right Front Idler
Linkage, Part
Number 486.96,
Qty - 1
Replacement Brake Cable
Guide, Part Number 460.92,
Qty - 1 (Silverado and Sierra
Heavy Duty Only)
Light, Part Number
470.15, Qty - 4
11" Cable Ties, Part Number 470.02, Qty - 2
M6-1.0 x 20 Socket Cap
Screw, Part Number
470.00, Qty - 8
M6-1.0 x 35 Socket
Cap Screw, Part
Number 460.95,
Qty - 6
M8 Fender
Washer, Part
Number 470.07,
Qty - 2
M8 Flat Washer,
Part Number
484.93, Qty - 2
Nylock Nut, Part
Number 470.06,
Qty - 1
Threaded Clamping Plate,
Part Number 460.97, Qty - 2
M8 U-Nut, Part Number
460.98, Qty - 4
Parking Brake Cable
Guide, Part Number
470.08, Qty - 1
Spacer, Part
Number 470.09,
Qty - 10
M8-1.25 x 30 Flange
Hex Bolt, Part Number
474.85 , Qty - 11
Mounting Insert, Part
Number 487.19, Qty - 2
Adaptor Plate, Part
Number 487.18, Qty - 2
Left Front Idler
Linkage, Part
Number 486.97,
Qty - 1
Left Rear Motor
Linkage, Part
Number 486.99,
Qty - 1
Right Rear
Motor Linkage,
Part Number
486.98, Qty - 1
Blue Controller, Part
Number 496.11, Qty - 1
Motor (for use with
Blue Controller),
Part Number
496.12, Qty - 2
M6 Flat Washer,
Part Number
481.96, Qty - 6
M8-1.0 x 20 Socket Cap Screw,
Part Number 502.99, Qty - 2

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 3
RF System Overview System Initialization
The PowerBoards®are activated by Sensors that
are to be mounted inside the door openings for
each door. The Sensors are off when a magnet is
next to the Sensor end that has the two screws.
The Sensor triggers the PowerBoards®to deploy
when the magnet is moved about 3 inches away
from the Sensor. The magnet can work in either of
the locations shown to signal the PowerBoards®to
retract.
Be sure to mount the Sensors in a location that will
allow removal of the screws for battery replacement.
See Battery Replacement at the end of the
instructions.
See Steps 15 – 21 for detailed instructions.
a. Remove fuse from the PowerBoard®wire harness
and connect the red lead to the battery positive
and the black lead to negative.
b. Layout the harness so the long leg crosses the
engine compartment towards the drivers side and
the short leg is on the passenger side.
c. Attach a motor to each motor link with 3 M6-1.0 x
35mm Socket Cap Screws.
d. Plug the Controller, Receiver, Motors and Lights
into the harness.
e. Plug the fuse back into the harness. After a one
second delay the linkages will retract as shown.
f. Lay out all four sensors as they would be installed
on the vehicle with the drivers side to your left and
the passengers side to your right. Place a magnet
next to each sensor as shown in the overview
above.
g. Move the magnet more than 4 inches away from
the driver front sensor. All four lights will come on
and the drivers side linkage will deploy.
h. Move the magnet back to the sensor and after a
three second delay the lights will turn off and the
linkage will retract.
i. Repeat with the remaining sensors and the lights
and corresponding linkage will operate in the
same manner.
j. Remove the motors to continue with the
installation.
If the system does not operate as stated above
see the Troubleshooting and Battery Replacement
sections at the end of the instructions or go to our
web site at http://www.bestop.com/support.
Sensor
Sensor
Screws
Magnet
Magnet
Magnet
Holder
Magnet
Holder
Deployed
Retracted
Front Door
(Alternate)
Rear Door
(Alternate)
Receiver
Front / Rear
Door (Primary)

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 4
Steps2and3arefor
HD 2500 and 3500
only. For all other vehicles skip
to Step 4.
Short Bed
Step 2 only.
Long Bed
Steps 2 and 3.
Remove the forward brake cable
guide and replace with the Re-
placement Brake Cable Guide.
Replacement Brake
Cable Guide
Heavy Duty Trucks Only
Install Replacement Brake
Cable Guides Install Brake Cable Ring in rear of middle body mount. Install new Parking
Brake Cable Guide in existing frame hole as shown.
Parking Brake
Cable Guide
Brake Cable
Ring
Heavy Duty Long Bed Only
Install Brake Cable Ring and Parking Brake
Cable Guide
Install Threaded Clamping Plate on top of pinch weld. Thread M8-1.0 x 20
Socket Cap Screw into clamping plate. Then install an M8-1.25 x 30 Flange
Hex Bolt. Finger tighten only.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to install the passenger side Linkages.
Remove the plastic cap and install a U-Nut in fourth sheet metal tab / hole
from front. Mount driver side Rear Motor Linkage to U-Nut so that the Arm will
clear parking brake cable..
Install Driver Side Rear Linkage
Install Rear Motor Linkage
M8-1.25 x 35
Flange Hex Bolt
Large Washer
Nylock Nut
If there is a weld nut at this location, do not use the Threaded
Clamping Plate.
Rear Arm
Threaded
Clamping Plate
M8-1.25 x 30
Flange Hex Bolt
M8-1.0 x 20
Socket Cap Screw
Offset hole toward
arm
Remove Plastic
Cap and Install
U-Nut
Mount Rear Motor
Linkage to U-Nut
28" Crew Cab, 12" Extended Cab (from back of Cab)

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 5
Use the two (2) 11" Cable Ties to mount the
Controller to the support arm next to the battery
(behind the support arm on diesel engines).
Plug in the Wire Harness. Make sure that the
locking tabs engage.
Install Controller and
Wire Harness
Controller
Wire
Harness
On hybrid models mount the Controller
on the driver’s side.
Install Front Idler Linkage
Locate the body rib in front of the plastic tank under the right side of the truck. Insert a M8-1.25 x 30mm
Flange Hex Bolt through the large slot in the Adaptor Plate and thread it loosely into the large flat surface
of a Mounting Insert. Put the Mounting Insert into the hole in the body rib and tighten the bolt with the insert
angled so it bridges the hole. Leave the bolt loose enough so the adaptor can be moved up and down.
Remove the bolt in the body flange at the location that will line up with the front bottom hole in the link. If
there is not a bolt push an M8 U-Nut over the hole.
Attach the Right Idler Linkage to the Adaptor plate with two M8-1.25 x 30mm Flange Hex Bolts. Leave the
bolts loose.
Add Spacers between the bottom front hole in the linkage and the body flange until the linkage is flat
against the body flange. The truck sheet metal that is sandwiched here will compress when the bolt is
tightened so be sure to use enough spacers. Insert an M8-1.25 x 30mm Flange Hex Bolt with M8 Flat
Washer into the hole and tighten making sure the linkage bottoms out on the spacers. If not add more
spacers. Alternately tighten all of the bolts.
M8-1.25 x 30mm Flange
Hex Bolt and Mounting
Insert
Adapter Plate
M8-1.25 x 30mm
Flange Hex Bolts
M8-1.25 x 30mm Hex Bolt,
M8 Flat Washer, Spacers
and M8 U-Nut Right Front
Idler Linkage
Make sure to use an M8-1.25 x 30mm Hex Bolt and M8 Flat Washer in the
bottom front hole. Use of a longer bolt here may cause the Linkage to break.
Tightening the
fasteners before
cycling the step several times
may create a bind, causing a
squeaking sound and preventing
the boards from retracting
completely and evenly.

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 6
Install Receiver
Route the small diameter wire harness along the side of the frame. Find a
location that is protected but is not surrounded by dense metal. Plug in the
Receiver and insert 17" Nylon Zip Ties through the loops on the Receiver.
Mount the Receiver with the stand off ribs against the vehicle.
Due to vehicle variations, installation may differ from
that shown.
Receiver Small Diameter
Wire Harness
Frame
17" Nylon
Zip Ties
Do not ground wrench when engaged with nut.
Do Not install on or near hot surfaces.
Remove the fuse from the Wiring Harness.
Remove the fuse from the Wiring Harness. Failure to do so could result
in severe electrical shock which could harm the installer and/or damage
the vehicle.
Remove Fuse from Wiring Harness
Attach power lead (RED wire) to
positive pole on the battery.
Attach ground lead to negative
battery pole.
Skip to next step if still attached
from Step 1.
Attach Leads
Wire Harness
Route long end of wire harness under intake and along factory engine harness
to driver side wheel well. Route short end down passengers side.
Route Wire Harness – Diesel Engine
Wire Harness – Secure
with Cable Ties

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 7
Install Running Boards
Mount the Steps to the linkages. Slide the mounting T-Nut into position. Install
M6-1.0 x 20mm Socket Head Bolts to secure the boards. Use a 5mm Allen
Wrench to tighten the bolts.
Make sure the board moves up and down freely by hand. If it binds, loosen the
linkage to body attachment bolts and adjust the linkage position until the boards
move freely. Do not tighten the bolts at this time.
Tightening the fasteners before cycling the step several times
may create a bind, causing a squeaking sound and preventing
the boards from retracting completely and evenly.
M6-1.0 x 20mm
Socket Head Bolts Arm
PowerBoard
M6-1.0 x 20mm
Socket Head Bolts
M6-1.0 x 20mm
Socket Head Bolts
Slide Motor assembly onto drive shaft and mounting bosses of Motor Linkage
assembly. Use three (3) M6-1.0 x 35mm Socket Cap Screws and M6 Wash-
ers to secure Motor. Plug female connector into Motor.
Install Motor
Motor
Linkage
Motor
Wire
Harness
M6-1.0 x 35mm Socket Cap
Screws and M6 Washers
Torque
5-7 ft. lbs.
(6.78-9.49 Nm / 60-84 in. lbs.)
Do not exceed 7 ft. lbs. of
torque
Install Magnet
Open the back door on the driver’s
side and clean the area where the
magnet will be installed with a 50/50
solution of water and alcohol. Stick a
magnet to the back side of the front
door as shown. Magnet
Top Hinge
Back Door -
Driver Side Front Door -
Driver Side

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 8
Install Magnet
Install Driver’s Side
Front Sensor
Peel the liner off of the Drivers
Side Front Sensor. Position it on
the door pillar so it is about 1/6"
away from the magnet. Press
firmly on the Sensor to stick it to
the pillar.
Open the front driver’s side door and
clean the area where the magnet
and sensor will be installed with a
50/50 solution of water and alcohol.
Stick a magnet to the front side of
the rear door as shown. Hold the
Drivers Rear Sensor against the
door pillar and position the magnet
so it is directly in front of the sensor. Driver’s Front
Sensor
Magnet
Top Hinge
Magnet
Back Door Back Door
Driver’s Front
Sensor
Top Hinge
Reinstall fuse in PowerBoard®wire harness.
Reinstall Fuse
Install Driver’s
Side Rear
Sensor
Peel the liner off of the
Drivers Side Rear Sen-
sor. Position it on the
door pillar so it is about
1/6" away from the mag-
net. Press firmly on the
Sensor to stick it to the
pillar.
Driver’s Rear
Sensor
Install Passenger Side
Sensors and Magnets
Repeat Steps 14 through 17 on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
Back Door
Driver’s Front
Sensor
Top Hinge

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 9
Test Doors and PowerBoards®
Open and shut each door to make sure the Power-
Boards®deploy and retract. There is a slight delay
in the board deployment so make sure they are fully
down before stepping on them. There is also a 3-4
second delay in board retraction after the door is shut.
This gives you time to open another door with out
cycling the board again. Cycle the boards several
times and then fully tighten all of the fasteners.
Never force the board up or down.
Use the motors to cycle the board.
Torque
5-7 ft. lbs.
(6.78-9.49 Nm / 60-84 in. lbs.)
Do not exceed 7 ft. lbs. of
torque
Order to tighten screws:
Board to Linkage 1st
Linkage to Body 2nd
Shut all doors and check to see if there is a gap between the running board
and the body. If the running board is touching the body add spacers between
the body pinch weld and linkage mounting flange as shown until the board no
longer touches the body.
Cycle boards several times and then fully tighten all bolts.
Adjust Running Board Position
Spacer
Rear Motor
Linkage
Clean the outboard surface of the
of the Linkage below the bottom
mounting bolt. Peal the adhesive liner
off the back of the Light and firmly
press it 1/8" below the mounting bolt.
Plug the light into the connector with
the black and orange wires in the wire
harness. Repeat with the other three
lights. Secure lose wires with Cable
Ties.
Install Lights
Light
Linkage

PowerBoard®NX – Installation Instructions
Rev. E 0713 75646 / 75647 pg. 10
Adjusting Linkage alignment:
The board is designed to stop travel when the system
senses a load. Misalignment can cause the board to
stop early.
To adjust, remove running board and motor. Loosen
mounting brackets. Adjust linkages parallel to each
other. Shifttherunningboardonlinkages1/8”ineither
directionandcarefullysetboardonlinkages. Startonly
a few threads of the allen head bolts – do not tighten
yet. Lift running board to retracted position. Tighten
allen head bolts that attach running board to linkage.
Last, tighten linkages to body. Cycle running board
by hand without motor and confirm zero resistance.
Install motor and test.
PowerBoard®NX Service Tips
Issue:
• Possible cause
Boards do not operate:
• Bad ground
• Bad battery connection
• Fuse burned
• Magnet is too far away from Sensor
• Bad receiver connection
• Sensor battery low
Board creaks or squeaks during operation:
• Gear shaft wedge bolt is loose
• Loosen mounting bracket and board attach-
ment screws. Adjust linkages so they are
parallel to each other and the noise is gone.
Tighten all fasteners.
Intermittent operation:
• Bad battery connection
• Bad ground
• Magnet is too far away from Sensor
• Bad receiver connection
• Sensor battery low
Boards operate randomly:
• Wire connections not secure
• Magnet is too far away from Sensor
• Bad receiver connection
• Sensor battery low
Board stays down all the time and can be moved
by hand:
• Gear shaft wedge screw is missing or loose
Board shakes and or shutters during operation:
• Bad ground
• Wire connections not secure
• Bad battery connection
• Links misaligned
PowerBoard®NX Troubleshooting Delay in board operation or boards operate
after doors are shut:
• Magnet is too far away from Sensor
• Sensor battery low
Board hits body
• Install supplied adhesive bumper per the
installation instructions.
Board does not fully retract or deploy
• The board is designed to stop travel when
the system senses a load. Misalignment can
cause the board to stop early. Remove the
motor and adjust the linkage alignment until
the board moves up and down freely without
resistance by hand.
Board retracts when doors are left open for a
long period of time.
• This is normal to save sensor battery life.
Front Door -
Driver’s Side
Magnet
Magnet Holder
Install Magnet Holders
Peel the liner off the back of a magnet holder and
place it around the magnet. Be careful not to move
the magnet. Press firmly on the holder to stick it to
the door.
Repeat on all Magnets.
Magnet
Magnet
Holder
Back Door
Top Hinge