American Modified Materials Guide 2026: ABS, Aluminum, Steel and "Carbon" Explained
Knock on a factory Jeep tail light guard and then knock on an aftermarket one. One rings dull, one rings sharp. Run your thumb along a "carbon fiber" mirror cap and you might feel the weave pattern but not the weight. Car parts look alike in photos. What they're made of is where they really differ, and it decides how a part handles a gravel road, a car wash or a Chicago winter.
American Modified lists the material on most of its product pages, often in a line buyers skim past. Olivia Reviews went through those listings on October 20, 2026 and sorted the in-stock parts by what they're actually made of: ABS plastic, cast aluminum, cast steel, carbon-fiber-look shells and the lens plastics in its LED lights. Here's what each material means for you.
Quick take: Most American Modified grilles, trim and light housings are ABS plastic, which the brand describes as lightweight and corrosion resistant. Bolt-on guards and handles come in cast aluminum or cast steel with a powder coat. Parts labeled "carbon fiber" in the titles we read are ABS with a carbon-fiber look, which explains their lower prices. Read the material line before you buy, and see today's American Modified deals once you know what you want.
ABS Plastic: The Backbone of the Catalog
ABS is a tough, light thermoplastic, and it's what American Modified uses for most of its grilles, light housings and trim. Light weight matters more than it sounds: a big front grille has to hang from factory clips and mounting points, and a lighter part is easier to line up on your own.
Rebel Style Front Grille with Amber LED Lights, Matte Black ($208.99)
For the 2013–2018 Ram 1500 and 2019–2023 Ram 1500 Classic (not the Rebel model). The listing describes lightweight ABS with a matte black finish, and calls the material high strength, wear resistant and corrosion resistant. It's designed as a direct-fit replacement with no cutting, and the amber LED lights come with a harness that splices into the Ram's factory headlight harness. Even in ABS, this is a big piece: the box measures roughly 54 by 19 by 7 inches and weighs about 13.3 pounds. The brand recommends professional installation.
Why ABS makes sense for a grille
A grille's job is mostly visual and aerodynamic. It needs to hold its shape, resist the weather and let air through to the radiator, which the Rebel listing specifically mentions. It doesn't need to stop a deer. That's why ABS works here, and why you shouldn't treat any ABS grille as off-road armor.
"Carbon Fiber" That Isn't: Read the Small Print
This is the most useful thing to know before you shop the Honda pages. Several titles say "Carbon Fiber," but the listings describe ABS with a carbon-fiber look.
Mirror Covers, Carbon Fiber, for the 2016–2018 Civic ($69.99)
The listing says they're made of high-quality ABS plastic, with a carbon fiber casing look. A set covers both mirrors, weighs 409 grams and needs no modification to fit.
Knife Style Front Lip Chin Spoiler, Carbon Fiber, for the 2016–2021 Civic Sedan ($99.99)
Again, premium ABS with a carbon fiber look, according to the listing. It attaches with bolts and adhesive tape, instructions aren't included, and the brand highly recommends professional installation. It doesn't fit the coupe or hatchback. Interestingly, the carbon-look version was $50 less than the glossy black version ($149.99) when we checked.
What it means for you: you get the look of carbon fiber at a plastic price, which is a fair trade for a cosmetic part. Just don't expect the stiffness or weight of real carbon fiber.
→ Check the latest American Modified coupon codes and deals
Cast Aluminum: Light, Bolt-On Metal
When a part needs to feel like metal but shouldn't add much weight, American Modified turns to cast aluminum with a powder coat.
Tail Light Guards for the 2007–2018 JK ($59.99, pair)
A two-piece design in cast aluminum with a black, satin-textured powder coat. They bolt on over the factory tail lights and carry a cutout shaped like a Jeep grille.
Aluminum Door Grab Handle Inserts, 4 Door ($69.99)
A set of five inserts that mount on the factory door handles of a JK Unlimited. The listing describes cast aluminum with powder coating and includes stainless steel hardware, so the screws won't rust before the inserts do.
Cast Steel: When You Want Heft
Cast steel is heavier than aluminum and feels more substantial in the hand, which is why it shows up where you grab or protect something.
Steel Grab Handles, Front or Rear, for the JK ($69.99)
Made of cast steel with a tough powder coating and rubber grips, according to the listing, in red or black. The brand says no drilling is required and installation takes common garage tools. Unusually, this listing mentions a 2-year limited warranty against material or workmanship defects, longer than the one-year limited warranty in the store's general policy, so check the listing for your part's terms. There's also an aluminum version at $59.99 if you'd rather save weight.
Black Euro Tail Light Covers for the 2011–2018 JK ($69.99, pair)
The cast steel counterpart to the aluminum guards above: a two-piece, bolt-on cover with a black, satin-textured powder coat. Same job, heavier metal, a cage-style look.
Inside the Lights: Housings, Lenses and Resistors
LED lights combine several materials, and the listings spell them out.
- Housing: black ABS on the tail lights we checked.
- Lens: clear PMMA (acrylic) under a red cover on the Red Lens Tunnel Tail Lights for the JL.
- Electronics: the Tunnel V2 listing mentions in-line resistors "to ensure functionality," and the brand claims an LED lifespan of over 50,000 hours.
The Red Lens Tunnel Tail Lights for the 2018+ JL ($208.99) plug in without cutting wires, but only on Jeeps with factory halogen tail lights. The brand highly recommends professional installation.
Materials at a Glance
| Material | Example part | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS, matte black | Rebel Style Grille (Ram 1500) | $208.99 | Light, bolt-on styling |
| ABS, carbon-fiber look | Civic Mirror Covers / Knife Lip | $69.99 / $99.99 | Carbon style on a budget |
| Cast aluminum | JK Tail Light Guards | $59.99 | Metal feel, low weight |
| Cast aluminum + stainless hardware | Door Grab Handle Inserts (4-door) | $69.99 | Daily-touch trim |
| Cast steel | Steel Grab Handles / Euro Tail Light Covers | $69.99 each | Heft and a rugged look |
| ABS housing + PMMA lens | Tunnel Tail Lights (JL) | $208.99 | A plug-in rear lighting upgrade |
What to Know Before You Order
Returns: within 30 days of receipt, unused, resalable and in the original packaging, with return authorization by email first. If the part is wrong or defective, the brand pays return shipping; otherwise you do, and a 15% restocking fee may apply. Cancellations cost 10%. Shipping is free on domestic orders over $75 to the 48 contiguous states, with no delivery to Alaska, Hawaii or APO/FPO addresses. Warranty: the store's general policy is a limited one-year warranty against defects, which doesn't cover installation costs.
What We Like and What to Watch
What we like
- Material lines on most listings, including powder coats and lens types.
- Honest descriptions of carbon-look parts as ABS.
- Metal options in both aluminum and steel for common Jeep trim.
What to watch
- "Carbon Fiber" in a title doesn't mean real carbon fiber.
- ABS grilles are styling parts, not armor.
- Warranty terms can differ between a listing and the general policy.
Who This Helps
This guide suits owners who care how a part will age, not just how it looks on day one: people who park outside, drive salted roads, or want metal where their hands touch the Jeep. If you need impact-rated protection for serious trail use, look for parts sold for that purpose instead.
Paying Less
Olivia Reviews didn't find a public promo code on americanmodified.com. The footer newsletter offers 10% off your next order to subscribers, and domestic orders over $75 ship free. For anything time-limited, compare current American Modified offers.
American Modified Materials FAQ
Are American Modified grilles metal?
The grilles we checked, including the Rebel Style grille, are listed as ABS plastic.
Is the carbon fiber real?
On the Civic mirror covers and knife lip, the listings describe ABS with a carbon fiber look.
Aluminum or steel grab handles?
Steel ($69.99) is heavier and its listing mentions a 2-year limited warranty; aluminum ($59.99) is lighter and cheaper. Both are powder coated with rubber grips.
What's the lens on the LED tail lights made of?
On the Tunnel tail lights for the JL, the listing describes a clear PMMA lens in a black ABS housing. Browse American Modified deals on lighting before you choose.
Final Verdict
American Modified's catalog is mostly smart, light ABS, with cast aluminum and cast steel where weight and feel matter. Once you know which is which, it's easy to pick parts that suit how you use your vehicle: carbon-look ABS for show, aluminum for light trim, steel for the handles you'll yank on every day. Read the material line, confirm fitment, and keep the box until the part is on.
→ See today's American Modified coupon codes and deals
Olivia Reviews researched American Modified using its official website, product listings and published policies in October 2026. We haven't personally tested these products. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.