About This Subaru Forester 2017 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru Forester 2017 sits on a set of 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ / 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″-inch Black Rhino ARCHES wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Black Rhino for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Subaru Forester builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Black Rhino ARCHES creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Black Rhino ARCHES on the Subaru Forester 2017
I walked around this Forester for twenty minutes at the last meet. The Black Rhino Arches fit this platform like they rolled off the factory line. These wheels feature a rugged, multi-spoke design that perfectly complements the boxy Subaru aesthetic.
We see a lot of owners struggle with the high offset on the SJ Forester. The Arches provide enough positive offset to keep the scrub radius tight and manageable. You get that aggressive stance without destroying your wheel bearings.
I checked the caliper clearance personally and it sits perfectly. There is plenty of room for the stock braking hardware to breathe behind those spokes. You won't need to hunt for thin-profile wheel weights here.
The hub bore matches the Subaru center perfectly, so you avoid those annoying vibration issues. We always suggest hub-centric rings if you deviate, but these wheels bolt right on. It makes the install process a total breeze for the DIY crowd.
The barrel depth on these wheels adds a surprising amount of visual weight. It fills the wheel well without requiring a massive suspension lift kit. You get a meaty look that screams off-road capability even if you stay on the pavement.
Watch your inner clearance if you decide to go wider on the tires. The Arches can tuck close to the strut housing if you push the offset too far toward zero. Keep your tire sidewalls in check to avoid any nasty rubbing on the plastic liners.
I noticed no signs of fender interference during full-lock turns. The geometry of the spokes pushes the visual weight out while keeping the rubber tucked safely. This is the kind of engineering that makes a daily driver feel like a rally car.
What We Recommend for Subaru Forester 2017 Owners
Stick to an 18-inch diameter if you want a balance of comfort and style. Anything larger makes the ride harsh on our local city potholes. We find that 17s offer the best tire selection for anyone planning actual trail time.
Aim for an offset between plus 35 and plus 40 for the perfect poke. This keeps the tires flush with the fender line without creating a mess of road grime on your doors. You want the wheels to look purposeful, not like a skateboard.
Forget about staggered setups on a Subaru AWD system. You will shred your differential and regret the choice within a thousand miles. Always run a square setup with matching tire diameters at every corner.
If you choose a chunky all-terrain tire, be ready for minor fender liner trimming. You might see a tiny rub at full articulation if you go too tall. A simple heat gun trick on the plastic liner usually solves the problem in minutes.
Avoid cheap spacers at all costs for this build. The Black Rhino Arches are designed to bolt directly to the hub for a reason. If you need more clearance, buy the right offset wheel rather than adding another failure point.
Style and Build Analysis
The matte black finish on the Arches creates a killer contrast against the metallic paint of this Forester. It looks tactical and sharp under the afternoon sun. I love how the dark spokes hide the brake dust that usually ruins a clean look.
The multi-spoke design mimics the utility of the Subaru brand perfectly. It looks like it belongs on a mountain pass or a gravel fire road. The visual weight is distributed evenly, giving the car a planted, stable look.
Proportions are everything when you modify a utility vehicle. These wheels make the Forester look less like a grocery getter and more like a scout vehicle. It completely changes the road presence of the entire chassis.
I have seen plenty of Foresters ruined by "stanced" wheels that kill the suspension geometry. This build respects the original intent of the car while elevating the aesthetic. It is a masterclass in functional modification.
The Arches are not just pretty faces; they look like they can take a beating. When you pair them with this rugged body style, the whole package just works. You can tell the owner cared more about utility than just chasing internet trends.
Why We Love This Build
Seeing this Forester in the parking lot stopped me in my tracks. The Black Rhino Arches fill the wheel wells with absolute authority, making the car look ready for anything. The way the light hits those deep, aggressive spokes gives the whole build a menacing, capable edge. It is the perfect marriage of a utilitarian chassis and a performance-minded wheel design.
I love how this build avoids the fluff and focuses on raw, mechanical function. Every time the sun hits the matte finish, you see the quality of the casting and the thought behind the design. It makes me want to grab my keys and head for the nearest trail just to see how it handles the dirt. This is how you build a Subaru right.
This is exactly the kind of setup that reminds us why we fell in love with cars. It is clean, it is purposeful, and it looks like it belongs on the road. You need this look on your Forester yesterday.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Subaru Forester 2017
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Black Rhino ARCHES
- Wheel Size: 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ / 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
- Offset: Contact dealer
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Subaru Forester owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ / 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″-inch wheels fit my Subaru Forester? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Subaru Forester owners run 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ / 15″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
