Armadillo Designs Aluminum Hardtop

[Slei]

Slei,
I am also going from an OEM hardtop to the Armadillo. I have a 2 door. My Armadillo top is enroute to my home right now.
Yes....could you elaborate on what you discovered in this conversion?
What makes it "worse" for me....Armadillo does NOT have a video on how to install the 2 door model....saying it is similar to the 4 door. I am sure it is, but there are differences too. I want my install to go smooth (a video would sure help) ....I hate issues and have less patience now being 69, and I will have neighbors helping with the lifting, I do not want to impose on them because of snafus.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT-ADD:
Did you relocate your GPS-Satelite antenna? Does Armadillo tell you how to do it?
THANKS again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey sorry been rather busy lately.

First one of the things I thought was not in the video is but for less than a second and I missed it. That is removing the Hardtop or Softop brackets in the front and sides of the roll bar.

There are still some differences I had from the install video. Sorry this is going to be a lengthy explanation.

When you put in the 6 M8 studs, on my 2023 bronco anyways, there was two threaded holes on each side over the rear doors not one like in the video. It is the rear set directly above the the panel bolt holding on the trim.

Measuring the distances made it clear this was the correct spot but clamping at the base of the B pillars like in the video caused it to miss the corresponding hole in the top by about a 1/16 of an inch. I was lucky and 3 out of the 5 who helped put the top on were large guys and we just pushed and pulled it into place but if we had not had them I would probably had to ratchet strap it high up maybe around the rear opening to pull it strait forward instead of from the bottom where it tilted the top slightly.

It took us two sets of hands to fix each rear gasket while the third lifted to get the gasket at the rear body to sit right not just one person at the corners.

The last issue I ran into was installing the rear bolts all the way before the front left the barest minimal threads to start each afterwards. I would just start them all then make sure everything is lined up and tighten it up following the order of install in the video.

As for the GPS/XM antenna I did not relocate it. I don't care about the higher frequency XM that the top will likely block. As for the lower frequency GPS it seems to get through just fine. I may eventually put a multi band antenna setup through this spot to boost reception for 5G/LTE/GNSS/GRMS etc. If I do Ill post about it.

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[Pseudoko]

Awesome finally going to see a 2 dr!

Here’s a post on instagram from a small photoshoot about 2 weeks ago. Have a 2 door, 4 door and raptor present. I’m the 4 door.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Awesome finally going to see a 2 dr!

Oh just wait! I will post photos as I did a few special things.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Hey sorry been rather busy lately.

First one of the things I thought was not in the video is but for less than a second and I missed it. That is removing the Hardtop or Softop brackets in the front and sides of the roll bar.

There are still some differences I had from the install video. Sorry this is going to be a lengthy explanation.

When you put in the 6 M8 studs, on my 2023 bronco anyways, there was two threaded holes on each side over the rear doors not one like in the video. It is the rear set directly above the the panel bolt holding on the trim.

Measuring the distances made it clear this was the correct spot but clamping at the base of the B pillars like in the video caused it to miss the corresponding hole in the top by about a 1/16 of an inch. I was lucky and 3 out of the 5 who helped put the top on were large guys and we just pushed and pulled it into place but if we had not had them I would probably had to ratchet strap it high up maybe around the rear opening to pull it strait forward instead of from the bottom where it tilted the top slightly.

It took us two sets of hands to fix each rear gasket while the third lifted to get the gasket at the rear body to sit right not just one person at the corners.

The last issue I ran into was installing the rear bolts all the way before the front left the barest minimal threads to start each afterwards. I would just start them all then make sure everything is lined up and tighten it up following the order of install in the video.

As for the GPS/XM antenna I did not relocate it. I don't care about the higher frequency XM that the top will likely block. As for the lower frequency GPS it seems to get through just fine. I may eventually put a multi band antenna setup through this spot to boost reception for 5G/LTE/GNSS/GRMS etc. If I do Ill post about it.

Heh,
Thanks for all that information and I will take it all into consideration. With the 2 door, there may be some variances....there may not even be the two forward bolt studs....I don't know. I really wish they had made a 2 door install video. I will watch for alignment, gaskets and not tighten anything down until all nuts/bolts are started.
Mine is probably two days away and then it's going to be near 100 degrees here, need to get a few OLD neighbors to help.
Did yours show up OK, no rub marks from the packing materials/crate?
Enjoy yours, thanks again and I will post photos when all done here (hopefully late next week).

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Hey sorry been rather busy lately.

First one of the things I thought was not in the video is but for less than a second and I missed it. That is removing the Hardtop or Softop brackets in the front and sides of the roll bar.

There are still some differences I had from the install video. Sorry this is going to be a lengthy explanation.

When you put in the 6 M8 studs, on my 2023 bronco anyways, there was two threaded holes on each side over the rear doors not one like in the video. It is the rear set directly above the the panel bolt holding on the trim.

Measuring the distances made it clear this was the correct spot but clamping at the base of the B pillars like in the video caused it to miss the corresponding hole in the top by about a 1/16 of an inch. I was lucky and 3 out of the 5 who helped put the top on were large guys and we just pushed and pulled it into place but if we had not had them I would probably had to ratchet strap it high up maybe around the rear opening to pull it strait forward instead of from the bottom where it tilted the top slightly.

It took us two sets of hands to fix each rear gasket while the third lifted to get the gasket at the rear body to sit right not just one person at the corners.

The last issue I ran into was installing the rear bolts all the way before the front left the barest minimal threads to start each afterwards. I would just start them all then make sure everything is lined up and tighten it up following the order of install in the video.

As for the GPS/XM antenna I did not relocate it. I don't care about the higher frequency XM that the top will likely block. As for the lower frequency GPS it seems to get through just fine. I may eventually put a multi band antenna setup through this spot to boost reception for 5G/LTE/GNSS/GRMS etc. If I do Ill post about it.

I have a question for you: In the video you install 3 threaded studs in the 3 locations to the rear, both sides. When the top is put in place, it talks of putting nuts on just 2 studs per side, not 3. Is the "3rd" stud just for alignment purposes? My guess, there is no way to get to the furthest rear stud to affix anything. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ninjak]

I have a question for you: In the video you install 3 threaded studs in the 3 locations to the rear, both sides. When the top is put in place, it talks of putting nuts on just 2 studs per side, not 3. Is the "3rd" stud just for alignment purposes? My guess, there is no way to get to the furthest rear stud to affix anything. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I put my top on myself, and that bolt, the furthest back, is not used.. You will put on the bolt in the "front" position and the one on the side. Then there are 4 in the front.

Honestly, it's not hard to do. The hardest part is getting the top in position. You WILL need another person. I found that having a person get in the front, having someone in the middle, and having a person hold the rear was easiest. Then guide it down on the bolts. I did mine at night with spotlights. (That's when the help showed up) If you have trouble getting on some of the nuts, just get someone to push down in that area. Make sure you do not squish or pinch the rubber and you have a good seal. Use a clamp to move the top fully forward. That's it.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

I put my top on myself, and that bolt, the furthest back, is not used.. You will put on the bolt in the "front" position and the one on the side. Then there are 4 in the front.

Honestly, it's not hard to do. The hardest part is getting the top in position. You WILL need another person. I found that having a person get in the front, having someone in the middle, and having a person hold the rear was easiest. Then guide it down on the bolts. I did mine at night with spotlights. (That's when the help showed up) If you have trouble getting on some of the nuts, just get someone to push down in that area. Make sure you do not squish or pinch the rubber and you have a good seal. Use a clamp to move the top fully forward. That's it.

Thanks....I assumed that rear stud was not accessible and was more for alignment issues. My top should be here Monday or Tuesday. One from the first batch of 2 door models to be made. Looking forward to getting it on and selling the OEM.

 

[coverthawk]

Anybody have an idea how orders are being prioritized and shipped? Noted some ordered in March and they are in final assembly...I place my order 27Jan and I am still in powder coating (and my dates have slipped from original and updated dates each month). Now expected August. I am VERY excited to receive...but since others have ordered after me, wondering how these orders are being fulfilled?

 

[Pseudoko]

Anybody have an idea how orders are being prioritized and shipped? Noted some ordered in March and they are in final assembly...I place my order 27Jan and I am still in powder coating (and my dates have slipped from original and updated dates each month). Now expected August. I am VERY excited to receive...but since others have ordered after me, wondering how these orders are being fulfilled?

early on they’ll do a build of similar style tops. For efficiency. Since the 4 door slant back was the first product offering, that was a majority of batch 1. A couple of square backs were squeezed into batch 1 too but mine came just a few weeks later in batch 2. nowadays they may just be going in order where they can. Only a guess though.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

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.

 

[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.

 

[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

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