Armadillo Designs Aluminum Hardtop

[Ninjak]

Would you be able to grab a couple pictures of your top in those rear corner areas? I'd be curious to see what changed at some point if you don't have those gaps. It'd be much appreciated!

So I took pics, best I could get, and it appears I have a strip of rubber that runs dow past where the top connects, and this covers the gap.

Sponsored

 

[Dtrimpi87]

Does anyone know the thread for the random rivnuts in the ceiling of the hardtop? on the sides mainly? Thanks!

also, does anyone else have a issue where all the rubber washers on exterior are cracked?

Pretty sure they are M8's. I can double check when I get home.

Yes, all my rubber washers are cracked where they are exposed to the sun but under the heads of the bolts they are fine. I bought a box of 50 off Amazon to replace them as needed.

 

[Dtrimpi87]

So I took pics, best I could get, and it appears I have a strip of rubber that runs dow past where the top connects, and this covers the gap.

Thanks! Hard to tell but looks pretty similiar. Strange.

 

[Ninjak]

Thanks! Hard to tell but looks pretty similiar. Strange.

No worries. I have had my RIG through countless washes, my pressure cleaner, and plenty of FL mud. No leaks ever. Also, I could not get a good shot, but looking from inside, I do not have that gap I saw in an earlier pick. It almost looks as if they are missing a piece of rubber.

 

[Chritaka]

The DAP adhesive is what Armadillo is recommending now over the Gorilla adhesive they used to recommend. I bought some but I have not used it yet. From what i've read about it its pretty permanent once it hardens so as long as it's applied right, shouldnt have anymore issues.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092NJH6XL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

So it was a bit of a PITA removing the old adhesive and backing paper that was on there, even with 3M adhesive remover. I had to peel and scrape, applying the adhesive remover multiple times and there was still a bit of it I could t remove from the sound deadening. I made a giant baseball out of it! After a couple days working on it sporadically, I got both panels cleaned up. I also used a diluted alcohol mix, same as used when cleaning for applying vinyl decals, and some Dawn soap as a final clean-up on both surfaces. The DAP instructions said to apply on both sides, but it would have been way too much of a mess to spray the Armadillo roof panels, without masking it all off, so I just did a really good layer on the sound deadening panels. I waited 6-7 minutes after spraying for the DAP to get tacky, used some small sockets/tap tools as spacers, stuck them on and then used a roller and walked them to ensure solid adhesion. I let them sit overnight before reinstalling. The smell is pretty strong, like epoxy almost, and I still smell it after nearly 1 week. They’re holding strong so far though…

 

[Dtrimpi87]

I peeled off the old adhesive backer and then used 3M adhesive remover to remove all I could. It was a PITA and took a couple days working on it sporadically. I then used a combo of diluted alcohol and


So it was a bit of a PITA removing the old adhesive and backing paper that was on there, even with 3M adhesive remover. I had to peel and scrape, applying the adhesive remover multiple times and there was still a bit of it I could t remove from the sound deadening. I made a giant baseball out of it! After a couple days working on it sporadically, I got both panels cleaned up. I also used a diluted alcohol mix, same as used when cleaning for applying vinyl decals, and some Dawn soap as a final clean-up on both surfaces. The DAP instructions said to apply on both sides, but it would have been way too much of a mess to spray the Armadillo roof panels, without masking it all off, so I just did a really good layer on the sound deadening panels. I waited 6-7 minutes after spraying for the DAP to get tacky, used some small sockets/tap tools as spacers, stuck them on and then used a roller and walked them to ensure solid adhesion. I let them sit overnight before reinstalling. The smell is pretty strong, like epoxy almost, and I still smell it after nearly 1 week. They’re holding strong so far though…

Looks like a freakin pain! Hopefully it holds up. I just have a small section right above my drivers seat that comes undone. I just push it back up daily. When it get worse I'll have to pull the whole panel and do this.

 

[Chritaka]

Looks like a freakin pain! Hopefully it holds up. I just have a small section right above my drivers seat that comes undone. I just push it back up daily. When it get worse I'll have to pull the whole panel and do this.

That’s how mine started! Then my boys had to keep pushing the back panel edges up every day… Hopefully you can hold out a while…

 

[CoopDawg]

Any 2 door owners get their Armadillo?

I've only seen like three 2 door tops. And all of those seemed almost sponsored. With my MIC starting to show its age, I'm just curious how those are looking.

Looks good. Recently switched out the gullwing doors for the doors with glass. Also added the MOLLE storage inside.

 

[rayofsi]

Anyone have this issue. The piece on top of the top panel. Is wavy and not straight .

 

[Dtrimpi87]

Anyone have this issue. The piece on top of the top panel. Is wavy and not straight .

Yes. I noticed it right after install so I started looking at other people's pictures and noticed it seemed pretty common so I didnt bring it up. Doesn't seem to effect anything.

 

[rayofsi]

I'm trying to figure out some weird noise I get from the front removable part. Sounds like wind getting in front somewhere and fluttering

 

[87 BAJA]

^ Address the "waviness" In the metal fabrication it would be difficult to maintain a absolute crisp straight piece there as soon as its welded on and heat was applied metal moves and being a flat piece with no reinforcement bends it would be almost impossible for it not to show some sort of waviness or in the metal industry we call that potato chip affect.

I hope this helps.

 

[rayofsi]

installed mine only a few months, no hot weather yet. got more roof panel insulation pieces falling down....
a bit disappointing for the price of the insulation.

 

[Tolzer]

After ordering our 2026 Badlands from Granger, we made a major upgrade early on. When the Bronco was just a month old, we met a buyer at Armadillo to sell our OEM black painted top and immediately swapped it for the Armadillo Squareback aluminum top.

• While the OEM top is Molded-In-Color (MIC) plastic, the Armadillo is built from heavy-duty aluminum. This transition offers several key advantages:
  • Superior resistance to trail debris and low-hanging branches.
  • Eliminates common composite issues like cracking or delamination.
  • The reinforced structure is ideal for heavy rooftop tents, recovery gear, or kayaks.
  • The design provides approximately 3” of additional interior headroom.
  • The gull-wing side windows are a total game-changer. They flip upward for side-access to your cargo—perfect when a bike rack is blocking the tailgate or you’re deep into a camping setup.

From a comfort perspective, the thermal regulation is impressive. The insulated aluminum keeps the cabin cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, while significantly cutting down on highway noise compared to the thinner factory top. Visually, the vertical rear glass creates a rugged, classic SUV silhouette (reminiscent of a Defender) while maximizing interior stacking space for square crates.

Our Build Configuration:

We are thrilled with the results so far. The interior is quieter, roomier, and feels incredibly solid. If you are planning a similar setup, pro-tip: Ensure you have six M8 80mm bolts on hand to install both the interior and exterior rear window MOLLE panels, as they share the same hardware.

The Full Install List:

• Hardtop: Four-Door Squareback (Custom Color) with Red/Black Hex Liner and Dual Glass Gullwings.
• Storage & MOLLE:
  • Interior Side & Rear Window Security MOLLE Panels.
  • Exterior Side & Rear Window Security MOLLE Panels.
  • Front Door MOLLE Pockets.
• Rack & Accessories:
  • Armadillo Designs Roof Rack (3 Cross Rails Bundle).
  • Hardtop L-Track Accessory Mounting System (44" Rear Tracks).
  • L-Track Adjustable Studs and Rings.
  • Hardtop Defroster Cable.

 

[Slei]

installed mine only a few months, no hot weather yet. got more roof panel insulation pieces falling down....
a bit disappointing for the price of the insulation.

This has been the singular major disappointment for us on our top. Every time we go out to the vehicle another panel seems to be coming off. What is worse is the earlier panels that we previously re-glued up starting to have problems in the heat. It seems the fiber substrate of the original glue is pulling apart from what we applied.

What seems to work is to strip all the glue and substrate off and then making sure to apply the DAP to both the top and the panel. The issue is the hours it takes to remove all the substrate and old glue.

I have wanted to publish a review and sound testing data I did but its hard to not give it a bad review when during the driving sound test the panel over my head literally fell down blocking my view of the road.

Sponsored