Armadillo Designs Aluminum Hardtop

[ObsidianTheBronco]

Thanks for the info, and also for the leak report - that's something I forgot to ask about.

I spent decades dealing with dust coming in through the tailgates (and rear hatches of camper shells) on my pickup trucks. With some finagling I could keep the dust down to a fairly modest amount in most circumstances. Rain was another matter entirely.

I agree with the dust! The top has been 100% leak proof with regards to liquids. My only complaint is the lack of rain guards. In the rain the top drains water on to the door sill if the windows are down or if you open the door. Otherwise, this top has been a dream to own!

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[Ninjak]

S. FL report. 1# question i get asked is "IS it HOT?" Nope is the answer. Actually during the cooler days here, it has been cooler in the Bronco.

Leak rain report, 100% good. No leaks no drips. As Obsidian said, its just the rain. When it rains, and stops, the rain settles and when you open the door, it will rain down on you. I just use a little wipe, and that problem is gone.

Wind noise level low. All I get now is some tire noise and low wind whistle. nothing compared to when I had the soft top.

This top was worth the wait and I am very happy I decided to take the plunge so long ago. Lots of compliments. Even non-Bronco people go, "dam...thats nice!" I do get the "is that the new Jeep "comments from time to time.....I just point to the BRONCO script on the side.

 

[SierraBronco]

I went out and saw the hardtops at KOH again. Mainly Raptor Roaches. It still looks as good as ever and I got some nice drone shots of them! It was observed the front seam on the top directs water right into the front windows like my soft top does the sealant on the top also looked pretty cooked. It was dried out and peeling but also looks really easy to replace if it ever leaks.

I loved it!

That seam directing water right into the door and where your face goes when entering/exiting is no joke. That and the keys being directional are my only criticisms so far

 

[WILDcardOD]

S. FL report. 1# question i get asked is "IS it HOT?" Nope is the answer. Actually during the cooler days here, it has been cooler in the Bronco.

Leak rain report, 100% good. No leaks no drips. As Obsidian said, its just the rain. When it rains, and stops, the rain settles and when you open the door, it will rain down on you. I just use a little wipe, and that problem is gone.

Wind noise level low. All I get now is some tire noise and low wind whistle. nothing compared to when I had the soft top.

This top was worth the wait and I am very happy I decided to take the plunge so long ago. Lots of compliments. Even non-Bronco people go, "dam...thats nice!" I do get the "is that the new Jeep "comments from time to time.....I just point to the BRONCO script on the side.

Heck in winter in Michigan having only had mine for a week, it honestly feels like it maintains internal temp better than my OEM hardtop.

 

[Splint3r]

Shop tour pics.

Great snapshot of the operation @Chritaka. If they are listening, many thanks to the Armadillo team for allowing the share.

Four observations:
1. It is obvious work is being undertaken to fulfill orders and the amount of WIP looks a little out of balance with the backorder quantity.
2. Despite their go team culture, Armadillo is not imune to the, "wait a sec while I check my IG."
**Seriously people, put down your phone while you are taking somone else's money.
3. Automated processes generally do not need to be supervised. Some exceptions may apply.
4. The shop is neat, clean and organized.

One suggestion: might be time to look toward automating at least some of the welding.

 

[Chritaka]

Great snapshot of the operation @Chritaka. If they are listening, many thanks to the Armadillo team for allowing the share.

Four observations:
1. It is obvious work is being undertaken to fulfill orders and the amount of WIP looks a little out of balance with the backorder quantity.
2. Despite their go team culture, Armadillo is not imune to the, "wait a sec while I check my IG."
**Seriously people, put down your phone while you are taking somone else's money.
3. Automated processes generally do not need to be supervised. Some exceptions may apply.
4. The shop is neat, clean and organized.

One suggestion: might be time to look toward automating at least some of the welding.

I’m not trying to defend, but my 2 cents per my experience there…

They did have at least 7-10 tops behind the bronco install area that were in final assembly, which I missed taking that pic. There have been other pics of that shared online though. Fabian mentioned they were working to add more automation, like the big device they now have to lift the huge aluminum sheets, which took a few guys to do, and run the through the laser. They now have 2 laser welders/areas, and hired separate blenders. One other issue they mentioned was the downtime they would have with the actual laser going out and the frequency of that, so they keep those in stock and learned how to swap them themselves. He was talking about bringing in more laser welders/blenders/welders as well. They are definitely trying to reinvest to increase production.

As far as the media and events, I thought this too some and these events take $$$ where they could invest in equipment. Fabian is more of the face and marketing. I did get the impression that the production crew was always heads down, often put in extended hours and did their best to innovate and get creative with optimizing productivity. Fabian mentioned bringing in additional designers as well to help with accessories, while Sam focused on core components and compatibility…he was pulled in too many directions. Fabian reiterated many times how much they’ve learned, how they’ve adapted, and plans to increase productivity.

Fabian and Sam did throw in a hand here and there with assembly/install. They were both there 90-95% of the time of the install. Sam was on point and directed the team on how to go about test fitting the interior molle’s (I mentioned their shape would interfere with the M2M bracket) and he suggested using the BRaptor molle’s (just a small notch I’ll need to make) as well as the top with the M2M attic shelf/brackets (they’ve had several ask about fitment, which I also relayed) and make sure it would all work.

I hear what you’re saying though, given the number of orders they have to fulfill, the size of their facility/setup/employees appear a bit lacking in capacity. As you automate and streamline, you can lose some of this personal touch and customer experience…it can be a fine line. I hope they continue to automate and streamline productivity and find that balance. I enjoyed chatting with them about the top, my build, all my mods (which it was cool how much they appreciated I had done all the mods myself), ideas for accessories, their challenges, and compatibility, etc…

I will say Fabian gave me an install date roughly 1 month out and they met that date, so that’s something…

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Can’t wait to see some of the 2dr hardtops getting out in the wild.

Mine is in production....I of course will post photos upon receipt and install.

 

[Chritaka]

I’m still able to store some recovery gear and the Armadillo Designs panel storage bags in the M2M attic tray.. This is still at shipped locking pin height, I haven’t modified yet…

Top view of L-tracks and SiriusXM antenna relocation. I will either do the TrailRax or a half rack at rear. I talked to Sam and Fabian about having a low, form fitting rear half rack, similar to TOR’s… So this may be a future accessory….

 

[Ninjak]

@Chritaka : Did they do the XM mod for you, or did you do it yourself?

 

[Chritaka]

@Chritaka : Did they do the XM mod for you, or did you do it yourself?

They did it for me at the time of install, no additional charge. They also had the L-tracks pre-installed.

 

[FSBMX]

Well in the pic you have, the rear bolt in the top pic is not used for the Armadillo top. The bolt in front, that is the closes to the front of the roll bar is the one used. I think it will all fit, I never looked at the actic shelf because I knew I would have the slant back and I think it is not enough room with the slant. But I would say maybe? It could come down to how thick this mettle is compared to the spacer.

I have the DV8 over head molle and it fits fine. Fabion had said I might need to cut a part off the DV*, but I did not. All I did was remove the brackets it attached to that were not needed anymore with the way the hard top. I will say it was a tight fit to screw the front screws in, tight fit as my big hands did not fit, I had to get creative, but looking at the Lobo, it seems it fit the same as the DV8/

hi @Ninjak - I’m contemplating the same combo (Dv8 overhead molle panel with the armadillo hardtop). Did you install the overhead panel after installing the hardtop?

do you think installing the overhead panel first would make the installation easier (for both components)?

thanks in advance

 

[Ninjak]

hi @Ninjak - I’m contemplating the same combo (Dv8 overhead molle panel with the armadillo hardtop). Did you install the overhead panel after installing the hardtop?

do you think installing the overhead panel first would make the installation easier (for both components)?

thanks in advance

Afternoon. I took my DV8 overhead off, then installed the top. Rather I took the front section off from the crossbar. Reason is there are two screws in the front you need to install that the DV8 overhead would block. You may be able to sneak a snake adapter in there, but it is easier to do with the front molle section off.

With that said, you will have less space to put the molle back in, I guess that depends on how big your hands are. For me, I could only get a finger on the nut to reinstall, but it is doable.

 

[Pseudoko]

I’m still able to store some recovery gear and the Armadillo Designs panel storage bags in the M2M attic tray.. This is still at shipped locking pin height, I haven’t modified yet…

Top view of L-tracks and SiriusXM antenna relocation. I will either do the TrailRax or a half rack at rear. I talked to Sam and Fabian about having a low, form fitting rear half rack, similar to TOR’s… So this may be a future accessory….

on my way now to Texas for my install on Friday. What are you planning to use the L tracks for? I’m trying to figure out if I should get it or not.

 

[Chritaka]

on my way now to Texas for my install on Friday. What are you planning to use the L tracks for? I’m trying to figure out if I should get it or not.

Awesome, post some pics!

They used them to mount the TrailRax and attach the rear brackets, but that setup/brackets are still going through testing. Alternatively I’ll use them to mount a rear half rack, which I may need to mod a bit to work (if AD doesn’t come out with their own). I also got the L-Tack adjustable studs if I simply want to tie stuff down on the roof. They weren’t that expensive so figured I’d get them installed for future adds…!

 

[Pseudoko]

Awesome, post some pics!

They used them to mount the TrailRax and attach the rear brackets, but that setup/brackets are still going through testing. Alternatively I’ll use them to mount a rear half rack, which I may need to mod a bit to work (if AD doesn’t come out with their own). I also got the L-Tack adjustable studs if I simply want to tie stuff down on the roof. They weren’t that expensive so figured I’d get them installed for future adds…!

Does this count for a picture ? Just grabbing lunch at Cornish Pasty in Tempe haha

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