Is American Racing Wheels Worth Buying For Your Jeep Wrangler?

Replacing the old factory rims with aftermarket wheels is common for vehicle owners looking to personalize their ride and enhance its capabilities. Among a wide range of brands available, American Racing Wheels catches people’s attention with its rich history intertwined with American car culture. But when it comes to the rugged demands and unique aesthetic of a Jeep Wrangler, is it a worthwhile investment? Explore the reasons why this brand is ideal for your Jeep Wrangler.

How American Racing Wheels Started

American Racing Wheels is not a newcomer to the automotive scene. Established in 1956, it has a long and storied history in the automotive industry. Equipped with years of experience, state-of-the-art technology, and craftsmanship, it has carved a niche through its commitment to quality and innovative designs. The brand is renowned for its intricate style, custom designs, durability, and compatibility with various vehicles, including Jeep Wranglers. Their wheels blend style with performance considerations, catering to daily drivers and performance enthusiasts.

The brand has built a strong reputation for producing noteworthy wheel designs that graced everything from workhorse or luxury pickup trucks and SUVs to modern muscle cars, classic hot rods, and other off-road vehicles. The heritage of American Racing Wheels instills a sense of trust and reliability in their products — a reason why many Jeep owners have reported positive experiences with the brand.

Factors Why American Racing Wheels Is a Trusted Brand

American Racing Wheels is known for its quality, durability, and performance, especially in off-road applications. Here’s why it is considered a trusted brand option for Jeeps:

Established Reputation

With decades of experience in the industry up its sleeves, American Racing has a proven track record of producing quality wheels. The longevity of the products speaks volumes about the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

Durability and Strength

While primarily known for their aesthetic appeal, American Racing wheels are designed with durability in mind. Many of their Jeep wheels are constructed from robust aluminum alloys, offering a good balance of strength and weight. This is crucial for handling the stresses of on-road and off-road driving that many Jeep Wranglers often encounter. Moreover, the brand is known for using high-quality materials, whether one-piece cast or multi-piece forged, ensuring exceptional performance and strength.

Diverse Range of Style

The brand offers a variety of wheel styles that cater to the specific and diverse tastes of Jeep owners. With a wide range of designs, from classic to modern, rugged, custom, or off-road-specific, there’s likely an American Racing wheel that will appeal to you.

Positive Customer Feedback

You can find positive feedback from a lot of customers, especially Jeep owners, from various online forums and retailer reviews. Buyers highlight the aesthetic appeal and robustness of the wheels, while others have noted that particular models are easier to clean than other spoked wheels. Many customers convey satisfaction with the brand’s durability, style, and quality. The positive comments further solidify the reputation of American Racing Wheels as a trusted brand.

Off-Road Offerings

Recognizing the popularity of off-roading, American Racing Wheels produces several wheel series compatible with the different Jeep models. These wheels are designed to withstand challenging terrains. They often feature rugged construction and innovative designs that complement the Jeep models, such as the Wrangler’s adventurous spirit. The brand has a strong reputation for building off-road wheels that are well-suited for the challenges of the terrain. For serious and extreme off-roaders, American Racing offers beadlock wheels, which use a locking ring to clamp the tire’s bead to the wheel, preventing the tire from slipping off the rim at low pressures.

Classic and Vintage Styles Available

Not all owners use their Jeep Wrangler for off-roading. Cruising the paved roads and city streets is enough for some to enjoy the time with their vehicles. Classic and vintage styles are available for those looking to improve the style of their ride, such as the Torq Thrust and Outlaw II, which come in different offsets, configurations, and finishes.

Forged Wheel Options

Forged aluminum is right on top of the market’s wheel performance pyramid due to its features. It is known for being stronger and lighter than cast alternatives, making it a good choice for performance and off-road use. Moreover, the forged wheel has greater load capability and resistance to cracks, dents, and other forms of damage.

Fitment and Performance

American Racing Wheels are manufactured for different vehicle models to ensure a precise fit and enhance the overall driving experience. Unlike other Jeep accessories and components that may come in a universal fit, ensuring the accurate fit for wheels is essential. It is also applicable to tires to avoid fitment issues and problems.

Wheel Variants for Jeep Wranglers

Here are some of the eye-catching American Racing wheel models that will surely complement your Jeep Wrangler:

AR172 Baja

The Baja is arguably one of the most iconic variants of American Racing Wheels — and a perennial favorite among Jeep owners. It is known for its strength and ability to handle daily driving and off-road adventures. The coin slot design of the wheel may seem simple, but it offers a tough, no-nonsense look that perfectly complements the Wrangler’s rugged character. It comes in satin black and polished finish, suitable for any color variant of Wrangler.

AR23

The AR23 offers a timeless and clean spoke design with simulated beads, which appeals to a wide range of Jeep owners. Its straightforward style works well with stock or heavily modified Wranglers. It is a practical choice for daily drivers and light off-roaders due to its reliability and ease of maintenance. The AR23 is available in a satin black finish with a clear coat and a machined finish with a clear coat.

AR924 Crossfire

For Wrangler TJ owners with year models 1997 to 2006, the Crossfire series will surely add some style points to the vehicle. This wheel is great for daily driving and cruising around town, offering a more modern and aggressive aesthetic with its striking multi-spoke design. The Crossfire comes in satin black, matte bronze, and graphite finish that complements the looks of your Jeep.

Classic Torq Thrust II

The Classic Torq Thrust II is another popular choice for Jeep owners who frequently venture off the beaten path and demand durability from their wheels. It features a robust five-spoke design with a thick outer lip, providing strength and protection against trail hazards. It is manufactured using high-quality aluminum and underwent a thorough testing procedure to ensure its durability. The Classic Torq Thrust II has two finish options — magnesium gray with machined lip and PVD finishes.

VN517 Marauder

The Marauder offers a stylish multi-spoke design that enhances the looks of any Jeep Wrangler. It evokes a street style that can elevate the aesthetics of the vehicle. It is an ideal choice for Jeep owners who want a wheel that looks impressive but also performs well on daily commutes. The Marauder comes in different finish options, such as chrome, anthracite with a diamond cut lip, and gloss black machined with a diamond cut lip.

How Aftermarket Wheels Improve Vehicle Performance

While aesthetics is a primary factor for many upgrades, aftermarket wheels can also offer other benefits, such as the following:

Reduced Weight: Various aftermarket alloy wheels available in the market are lighter than factory steel wheels. Choosing lightweight wheels can help reduce the rotational mass, leading to improved acceleration, braking, and handling of the vehicle.

Improved Brake Cooling: Have you noticed that many aftermarket wheels have intricate designs? Some designs can greatly enhance the airflow around the brakes. It can help achieve better cooling and reduce brake fade, especially during demanding driving conditions.

Increased Strength: Quality aftermarket wheels, especially those designed for off-road use, are often stronger than stock wheels, making them more resistant to damage from impacts and rough terrain.

Optimized Offset and Backspacing: Aftermarket wheels let you fine-tune the offset and backspacing of your Jeep, which can improve stance, tire clearance, and handling characteristics.

Improved Fitment for Larger Tires: Aftermarket wheels come in sizes and offsets. These factors are critical, especially if you want to upsize or change the type of tires to larger, more aggressive ones. The correct combination of tires and wheels can enhance traction and ground clearance, allowing you to customize the vehicles for specific off-road requirements.

Before buying a new set of Jeep wheels, ensure that you align it with your driving habits, off-road objectives, and personal style preferences. While stock rims may be sufficient for moderate off-road activities, investing in aftermarket wheels can provide enhanced durability, performance, and customization opportunities. American Racing Wheels is a reputable brand that offers a wide selection of innovative and intricate designs for improved style and incredible performance in on- or off-road settings.