This is the wheel I'm looking at getting when I go to 33's some time in the future. Please share pics (black or chrome) and the size and backspacing 
Let's see your American Racing AR23s
- Thread starter Tob
- Start date
OP
I used to run them, that's my favorite cast aluminum wheel.
This is my former TJ running that wheel on Sledgehammer in Johnson Valley SoCal.
This is my former TJ running that wheel on Sledgehammer in Johnson Valley SoCal.
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OP
15x8 which is ideal for up to 12.5" wide tires. 15x10 makes it easier to lose a tire bead when aired way down.
OP
I can't decide black or chrome finish. I like the look of the chrome ones on your red TJ, but I'm not sure what looks best under yellow.
I'd vote for chrome with the yellow. These are 15x8s with 35 MTRs...
liquidfluidity
TJ Enthusiast
I love those wheels too and always watch for a set for sale. I just find it very difficult to pull the tires from these rims as they have been the most trouble free set-up ever.
To me blacked out wheels have become old and overdone. I personally would go for the natural aluminum finish.
Looking at the AR23’s to replace my ProComp 69’s. Though I love the retro/classic look of the ProComp’s, the maintenance required to keep the uncharted aluminum is more than I want to endure.
How did the clear coat last on your AR23’s?
I have 15x10, 33x12.5. If I change wheels I would likely go to 8s. I am not concerned about losing a bead as I don’t air down that low. Did you have them when you had the Bushwacker flat flares on? And if yes, might I find more pics of the AR23’s with the flat flares if I did around in your forum image folder?
My AR23 15x8 wheels had no problems and they held up great. I can't say the same for the Bushwhacker flat flairs lol.
I’ve seen those images countless times.
I deliberated long and hard since they aren’t cheap, for plastic flares. I won’t ever use them as hard as you did. They will last longer than me..
I deliberated long and hard since they aren’t cheap, for plastic flares. I won’t ever use them as hard as you did. They will last longer than me..
OP
@MikekiM Here you go. I finally took the expensive plunge of 33x12.5 KM3s and 15x8 AR23's. I do happen to have flat flares, but they are MCE, not Bushwhacker.
Mmmmmm…. Those look great. Got any at an angle? Curious as to how deep the dish is. I like the no center cap look. I took mine off when I was polishing them and then asked the UPS dude dropping of some stuff, whether he like with or without. I put them back on.
Aren’t they clear coated? Is the coating getting pitted? They would look far worse on my DD. I could have my ProComps polished and then clear coated. Or, just deal with one full weekend a year polishing them myself. It isn’t horrible.
But I do love the AR23’s.
Mmmmmm…. Those look great. Got any at an angle? Curious as to how deep the dish is. I like the no center cap look. I took mine off when I was polishing them and then asked the UPS dude dropping of some stuff, whether he like with or without. I put them back on.
Aren’t they clear coated? Is the coating getting pitted? They would look far worse on my DD. I could have my ProComps polished and then clear coated. Or, just deal with one full weekend a year polishing them myself. It isn’t horrible.
But I do love the AR23’s.
Yes they are clear coated. but that did not stop some staining. The spare was given to me from a past forum member from Ohio and is looks mutch worse. That one has corrosion below the clear coat. I bought the full set of 4 new from DDD in late 2017 or early 18. It was outside the first couple years (still not a DD) but the last few years the top stays off and is garaged most of the time.
Thank you. I think that is enough to make the AR23’s a hard pass for me.
I’ll live with the ProComps for now. Greatly appreciate your input.
I’ll live with the ProComps for now. Greatly appreciate your input.
MikekiM - how much maintenance are these polished aluminum wheels (ProComp 69's)? Do you think the the AR23's would be more difficult because of the angles and the rivet protrusions? Maybe that's a question for those who've owned the AR23's...
I really like the polished AR23's and the Mickey Thompson Classic iii's, but I'm also kind of lazy and might shy away from the polished wheels if it is too tedious to maintain.
when I bought the TJ it had polished AR23 and the clear coat was rough, I mean bad….
I sanded the clear coat off and hit them with some Rustoleum gloss black… paint is holding up well but some of the rivets are falling out…
Although they are clear coated and shouldn't need polishing I've abandoned the AR23's. Another member who lives in the NE and has AR23s share a few pics of the failing clear coat. @97JadeTJ notes as well. Dealing with damaged clear coat is likely worse than having to polish the ProComps. So, to this point I have done nothing with regard to replacing what I have. Polishing them isn't horrible, only time consuming. I just did it again last week in preparation for winter since my TJ is a DD.
The upkeep is only one factor in my search for new wheels.. I have 15x10 installed by the PO and I want 15x8 or 8.5.