Armadillo Designs Aluminum Hardtop

[Ninjak]

Has anyone had an issue with the front roof panel not seating all the way down on one side? See photos. Passenger side all the way down, driver's side is a gap. Properly installed, all latches lined up and tight. Have tried re-doing and seating, starting opposite side first...nothing. I believe someone had posted they had a gasket stop or gasket interfering and doing the same.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I had that happen to me. Even though it latches up and seems tight, it is not on correctly. I stood on the side and pushed down and aligned the top until the gap was gone. I also adjusted the latches, then tighten them down when everything was aligned correctly.

Sponsored

 

[FSBMX]

I find the latches need to be snug, all of them.
they need to be tight enough to compress the the gaskets.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

I had that happen to me. Even though it latches up and seems tight, it is not on correctly. I stood on the side and pushed down and aligned the top until the gap was gone. I also adjusted the latches, then tighten them down when everything was aligned correctly.

Thanks...yeah something is not right.
I have all the latches un-done. Going to get the wife to hep me lift the top off. There was a mention by someone about some of the rubber binding up causing it. Hopefully find what it is, lubricate the rubber where it is tight too....that may help it come all the way down. Will report my findings.

 

[Ninjak]

Thanks...yeah something is not right.
I have all the latches un-done. Going to get the wife to hep me lift the top off. There was a mention by someone about some of the rubber binding up causing it. Hopefully find what it is, lubricate the rubber where it is tight too....that may help it come all the way down. Will report my findings.

Also make sure the back panel is seated correctly. When I went through my top, I did find that the driver side was slightly forward. just a hair. I corrected that and did my push down and everything lined up.

 

[Pseudoko]

Hopefully everything lines up … just looks like it’s misaligned slightly and something is pushing that side up like the gasket. Hopefully Ninjaks tips works for you.

thanks for helping him out @Ninjak and good luck @DUSTYcazOREGON looks like you’re just about there

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Hopefully everything lines up … just looks like it’s misaligned slightly and something is pushing that side up like the gasket. Hopefully Ninjaks tips works for you.

thanks for helping him out @Ninjak and good luck @DUSTYcazOREGON looks like you’re just about there

Here is what I discovered: All latches un-done, it all sits down level. When I went to latch the two top panels together (per the video) at the driver's side (point of my issue), as I closed the latch, it progressively raised the front section causing the inside frames to not be "level" to each other and the outer front top to raise. So, despite their directions to latch the two tops together first, I unlatched them and then latched down the first latch on the driver's side-front panel, near where the panels meet....then the same on the other side, then the two latches that hold both panels together. Latching that side latch FIRST prevented the latch (that holds the panels together) from forcing the front panel to raise up. I also used water soluble lubricant (do not use petroleum-based products, can ruin Powdercoat) on both corners of the rubber where the panels come together. I would advise people get the panels up there, set them together, get them to fit with each other....move them forward/rearward for alignment and then latch down the side latches first (near where the panels come together) then fasten the panel latches together.....see what it is doing on the top side and if all is good...finish with the other latches. The tolerances between the two panels is tight and the seals are thick and strong (a good thing)....all this leaves smaller and smaller tolerances....maybe just slightly too little. I would suggest that in manufacturing that front panel, where it laps over the rear panels...that the side arch down be "out" a small fraction. Hope that all makes sense.

 

[mangelo]

@BroncoBill44 I've always loved your build with Armadillo, your use of black with emblems, rims. beadlocks, molding, combined with the molle panels just elevates the look while also being practical!

I'm really on the fence regarding rear window Molle panels, as most of my driving is city and freeway, so visibility is a big concern. They are so badass looking and functional, just don't wanna regret purchase if visibility is too diminished.

Any chance you'd be willing to share a picture with the group of visibility looking into rear view mirror out back window?

Your baby looks awesome, appreciate these pics!

Mangelo

The Bronco had a bath today and I couldn’t pass up a photo op while I continue to drool over the armadillo top. While driving - I tend to look up at the interior liner too much. Just love this thing.

 

[mangelo]

Can anyone with Armadillo square back top that has rear window molle panels take a picture from driver's seat looking into rear view window? Wanna see visibility through back window with panel on.

On the fence re: rear window Molle panels. Visibility off-road is less of concern, but most of my driving is freeway and city traffic, so visibility more important.

Looks badass and very functional. Pics and feedback would be appreciated!

https://armadillo.design/exterior-rear-window-security-molle/

 

[B22-2023]

Can anyone with Armadillo square back top that has rear window molle panels take a picture from driver's seat looking into rear view window? Wanna see visibility through back window with panel on.

On the fence re: rear window Molle panels. Visibility off-road is less of concern, but most of my driving is freeway and city traffic, so visibility more important.

Looks badass and very functional. Pics and feedback would be appreciated!

https://armadillo.design/exterior-rear-window-security-molle/

It comes off via 6 M6 bolts by the way, so just wait to put in on for off road trips, that’s what I would do.

 

[Ninjak]

I do not have the best pics, also I run the slantback. I have a wolfbox cam, but I can tell you, if you look back, you can see. I can see through my cam, so that is why I never put it outside.

The pics I have is from when I first installed my Wolfbox.

Night pic

System off Pic

System on Daytime

Where the cam is located.

As I said, not the best, but you get the idea. Also, as I said, I have a Slant-Back. As someone else stated, you can always take it off. Honestly, I use my side mirrors more than my rear, so it does not affect my driving.

 

[mangelo]

I do not have the best pics, also I run the slantback. I have a wolfbox cam, but I can tell you, if you look back, you can see. I can see through my cam, so that is why I never put it outside.

The pics I have is from when I first installed my Wolfbox.

Night pic

System off Pic
System on Daytime

Where the cam is located.

As I said, not the best, but you get the idea. Also, as I said, I have a Slant-Back. As someone else stated, you can always take it off. Honestly, I use my side mirrors more than my rear, so it does not affect my driving.

VERY cool, thank you for sharing, totally forgot about the option to put in some kind of rear view camera! Guessing slant back has slightly less visibility due to angle, VERY helpful, much gratitude!

 

[mangelo]

Gonna take a few months to rig for upcoming Moab trip, but here's some early preview pics of my Armadillo-Gobi Badsquatch. I'm SO stoked for this Armadillo Designs - Gobi Racks collaboration. Rack has maximum mount points going all the way to end of vehicle, so I can rear mount a small footprint rooftop tent and enjoy the Armadillo badass full open roof. Drives me insane that other after market tops only open in front seat. Ford one opens in back, but that roof panel is not designed to store efficiently in the vehicle. I also love the Gobi light bar, ladders, sunroof inserts, etc, really compliments the hard top well.

My Armadillo installation story was legendary. Since it's more than a one man job, like a genius, I hired some unknowns to install the top (neighbor's recommendation). MId-install, the shop called insisting the top was defective and I needed to send it back to Texas ($900 shipping). By some act of God, Fabian from Armadillo in Texas was in Northern California and he interrupted his family trip to came by the shop. Despite clear instructions in install video at 1 minute mark, these knuckle heads had installed top without removing the side panels. Really, they ignored much of the video. The shop guy was a total dick, but Fabian was chill, redid the install correctly, and didn't ask for a penny. Fabian you're a super hero!

My impression of this top so far is that it is well designed and durable. The roof latches seal really well and coming from soft top, I can finally enjoy the LUX Bose stereo that cost me bank. I noticed sometimes rear window weather strip can be a little crooked at right edge when you close tail gate. But if you stand on other side of tailgate, close rear window holding right side while closing tail gate, it's all lines up perfectly. Easy peasy. I am having major FOMO re: rear window Molle panels, so despite visibility concerns, gonna get it for more mount points and security, plus it looks so Mad Max in the best way. Props to @Ninjak for the pics and rear view mirror camera idea for rear window Molle panel visibility! I'd like to put rear view mirror camera outside tho, curious if anyone in the group has done this with Armadillo top?

While Armadillo did an excellent design making sure roof panels fit perfectly in rear cargo storage, I went a different way. I'm often parking in the city and I have the roof open 90% unless it's raining. For security, I have the Ford Cargo Area Enclosure made my Tuffy, but it narrows rear storage affecting roof panel storage. Thankfully, roof panels fit PERFECTLY on top of Cargo enclosure and secure nicely via lid's 4x tie downs. In photos it's ratchet strapped, but I will be getting cable locks. This does mean I cannot get the pocketed interior side Molle panels from Armadillo, as roof panels on cargo lid would be in the way. I orders some flat Molle panels I found on DV8 Off Road.

Finally, some tips for open air obsessed types like me. DEFINITELY get the roof panel bags if you ever have to take roof panels off and on solo, the bags make it SO easy. Just place the bag on the roof while you stand on your seats (in my socks) and even with Gobi rack sunroof panel, I can do it easily alone. Also, I park in a garage with other vehicles so the top has to be closed otherwise soot will get all over interior. Currently, I use a car cover as I like to leave roof panels off. I'm working on a soft cover made of fabric with elastic so I can quickly cover the rooftop opening. It's also a nice way to shade the interior when you park outside. I'm also thinking if the fabric is the same color as the hard top, the cover could be mistaken for the roof to deter theft, as long as it's not windy.

Really this is just a preview with hard top and racks in place, got lots more to do but thought I'd share the build. SO grateful for this group, for Fabian and Armadillo, plus Paul at Gobi for making this dream come true.

Mangelo

PS I'll be at Overland Adventure with my rig Sept 14th in case any of you are going:

OVERLAND ADVENTURE - SONOMA
Sept 13-14th 2025

Overland Vehicles
4X4 Trucks & SUVs
Camper Vans
Roof-Top Tents
Pop-Up & Slide-In Sleepers
Tear-Drop Trailers
Solar Power Systems
Recovery Gear & Winches
Off-Road Tech

https://caoverlandadv.com/sonoma/
(203) 939–9901

Sonoma County Event Center
1350 Bennett Valley Rd | Santa Rosa, CA 95404

 

[Ninjak]

@mangelo : man your RIG looking super stout. Looking like you're about to go on Safari!

Glad everything worked out for you, and Fabion was able to get it right. It just shows how some shops do things, (WRONG) then blame others for their shortcomings. It's sad.

 

[rayofsi]

anyones top go into powder coat lately?

also can anyone confirm if the insulation falling issue has been fully addressed?

 

[EasternSierra]

Anybody in the Sacramento, CA area or within 100 miles had an Armadillo top installed by a shop? I'm trying to find a shop that has experience with this top. Mine went into laser cutting today.

Sponsored