I love the little things that make the outdoors special. It’s not just tackle—it’s the glitz and gadgets too. No question I am a gadget guy, so when buying a truck or a boat I am never satisfied with how it comes out of the factory. I want to give them my personality so I am always customizing, fabricating and designing.
I recently upgraded my truck’s wheels to the ATX AX192 Blades. After running aftermarket rims for several years, I can honestly say that these are some of the best I’ve ever owned. Whether you’re an angler, hunter or an old guy like me, I think you’ll fall in love with them.
Stand up to tough weather conditions
In 2013 I purchased a Chevrolet Z71 Crew Cab from a dealer who is actively involved in my area with the outdoors, Sam Leman Automotive Group, and even though it has all the options, I wanted it to stand out more. I just couldn’t resist jazzing it up a bit, so I decided to try the ATX AX192 Blades.
Living in Illinois poses various challenges from a weather perspective. I love chrome on my trucks but the harsh winter weather can be absolutely horrible on them. Road salt, grime and snow can make shiny wheels rusty in a heartbeat but ATX has mastered “care free†with their wheels.
The ATX AX192 Blades come with a phenomenal PVD finish that protects the chrome from everything imaginable and resists any type of staining. It doesn’t matter if I’m trudging through slush and salt or heading to the boat ramp on a rainy morning—these wheels stay remarkably clean and require very little upkeep to stay looking like new.
Slick, rugged look for outdoorsmen
Now when I say I like “bling†on my trucks, I’m not talking about exorbitant chrome wheels. Like the large majority of our readers, I’m an avid outdoorsman and I look for a balance between aesthetics and functionality. These wheels have given me the best of both worlds.
They combine the eye-catching chrome look, but they also incorporate a dark inner-wheel that I love—while the truck is parked, it reflects the hubs beautifully. This particular model is an eight-spoke indent wheel that matches highway tires, all-terrains and even mud-terrains nicely. The wheels’ offset gives them a deeper look, which has made my 17-inch rims and tires look much beefier than before. They’re not too gaudy, but give my new truck just enough “pop†to be noticed around the country.
Match these wheels with a chrome, tube-style running board and be prepared to have a lot of conversations with complete strangers.
Easy maintenance
The ATX AX192 Blades don’t require constant wiping, polishing or babysitting. The day I had them installed, I applied a coat of sealer wax to them in order to further seal them from the elements. As a result, I don’t have to waste any time throughout the week making sure my truck stays looking good.
If you’re a neat freak like me, you can even take it a step further. After washing my truck, I’ve started spraying Lucas Slick Mist on the wheels. I simply spray them down and rinse them with a garden hose—no rubbing, meticulous detailing or anything of the sort.
In hindsight, installing the ATX AX192 Blades was one of the best decisions I made in 2013. They added a whole new dimension to my truck and I’ve been extremely pleased with their durability, good looks and simple maintenance. Everywhere I go, I’m greeted with nothing but positive feedback on my wheels.
If you want to learn more about these wheels or find a model that fits your tow vehicle perfectly, visit ATXWheels.com.
