Armadillo Designs Hard Top

[TheLawnDart]

A new player has entered the hardtop game, Armadillo Designs. Ive been looking through videos and pictures (mostly on Instagram, and one YouTube interview with BroncBuster Here) and it seems like a descent contender! It’s all aluminum weighing in around 150lbs. They offer a square back and slant back for 4 doors broncos and will be confirming soon if it fits on a Raptor. Here are some pros and cons of this design I’ve noted:

Pros:
- very unique and tough looking design
- aluminum a little more durable
- extremely customizable options during purchase
- replacement parts easy to buy
- the whole top stays permanently, but the roof panel, gull wing doors, and rear window come off, making it easier to open up and most likely have better sound proofing
- Added headroom
- supposedly Jtops would still work with it
- available in brushed aluminum to paint any color desired

Cons
- the look may not be for everyone
- it’ll be a little less “open” with the roof and windows off vs with our current tops being very open when off
- it’s a newer company so obvious risks of design issues could arise
- the black paint seemed a little too shiny on the BroncBuster video, differing from the flares quite a bit

 

[TheLawnDart]

I emailed them to ask if it fits a Bronco Raptor, they have not tried it yet. I may be volunteering mine for them to test it on so I can report back and let anyone interested know! I’ll definitely post pictures of my Bronco if they do end up using it. I could see this looking pretty good on a raptor, especially after a color matched paint job

 

[TheLawnDart]

Just an update for anyone interested: I loaned out my Bronco to the Armadillo team to test out their hard tops on while I leave for a few month “work trip”. Excited to see how it looks and share pictures with everyone!

 

[MIBraptor]

Just an update for anyone interested: I loaned out my Bronco to the Armadillo team to test out their hard tops on while I leave for a few month “work trip”. Excited to see how it looks and share pictures with everyone!

Ha! I just followed you on IG. Entertaining vids so far.

 

[TheLawnDart]

Haha thank you! Its fun to make those because of how unique the bronco has been from the shitty beginnings of getting one to the beauty of having one

 

[TheLawnDart]

Finally back from my deployment and got some pictures of their mock-up on my Raptor! There were a few spots they have to adjust because of the brace the raptor has on the roof. Other than that it fits and looks great! I was able to tour around their shop in Bellville, TX and was blown away with how much they have going on. Seems like they are going to have some super cool stuff coming to the market soon and I’m really looking forward to seeing their finished top in just a few months!

 

[TheLawnDart]

More updated pictures of the armadillo top. I love how it’s turning out!

 

[TurboS]

More updated pictures of the armadillo top. I love how it’s turning out!

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What is the raised lip at the front portion of the roof above the windshield frame?

 

[TheLawnDart]

I think that’s for airflow over the top to reduce noise inside and keep it water tight

 

[bwilly68]

Anything new with the armadillo hard top? They seem to be starting to ship product…

 

[TheLawnDart]

Anything new with the armadillo hard top? They seem to be starting to ship product…

They are in production with the slant back, currently have about 30 produced and are shipping them soon. I’m working with them on refining the square back slightly to make sure it fits the Braptor with the additional braces. Expecting to have one on my Bronco by the end of August and plan to bring it to Dallas for a R/R event and then Colorado for Super Celebration West!

 

[bwilly68]

They are in production with the slant back, currently have about 30 produced and are shipping them soon. I’m working with them on refining the square back slightly to make sure it fits the Braptor with the additional braces. Expecting to have one on my Bronco by the end of August and plan to bring it to Dallas for a R/R event and then Colorado for Super Celebration West!

Thanks for updating. Looking forward to seeing more pictures as they hit the streets. I’m interested but not sure I’ll take the plunge yet. Also can’t decide if I like the slant or square back.

 

[TheLawnDart]

Thanks for updating. Looking forward to seeing more pictures as they hit the streets. I’m interested but not sure I’ll take the plunge yet. Also can’t decide if I like the slant or square back.

I definitely understand the hesitance, I can’t buy anything until I’ve seen it and heard reviews about it. I’m not super good at YouTube or reviews but I’m going to do my best to make a detailed synopsis comparing the OEM top.

 

[TheLawnDart]

 

[TurboS]

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Very Nice! Is yours the first Bronco Raptor with the Armadillo Designs Hard Top? We need more pics! Hmmm, new content for a new video?

 

[TheLawnDart]

Very Nice! Is yours the first Bronco Raptor with the Armadillo Designs Hard Top? We need more pics! Hmmm, new content for a new video?

Sure is! Picked it up yesterday in Houston, drove home in New Mexico, and driving to Colorado today! There will definitely be more pictures and videos to come!

 

[bendawg]

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Can't wait for the review!

 

[bwilly68]

First question for you lawn dart. Are you happy with the rear windows not having glass? Another consideration that I can’t decide on if I were to order a new top.

 

[TheLawnDart]

First question for you lawn dart. Are you happy with the rear windows not having glass? Another consideration that I can’t decide on if I were to order a new top.

So far absolutely! Doesn’t help with checking blind spots so you don’t lose any awareness of cars around. It’s a little more secure since you can’t break them open (especially if you do interior MOLLE). It kinda just feels satisfying to open the doors up. And lastly I like that if my dog is in the back and I’m running into a gas station I can pop the gull wing open and she gets air. Aesthetically I think they look better on the Brap than the normal Bronco because of how beefy we already are. The one thing I don’t necessarily like are the black bolts in the side where the MOLLE would go if I had gotten it, which I don’t plan to do

 

[TurboS]

First question for you lawn dart. Are you happy with the rear windows not having glass? Another consideration that I can’t decide on if I were to order a new top.

As a pre-order experiment to assist in deciding if you’re okay without hardtop side windows try these window blackout kits. Low cost and low risk, if you don’t like just peel off and you’ll then know what you want to order.

Hardtop Side Window Blackout Overlays - 2021+ Bronco 4 Door

Adds privacy Cuts down on heat Easy to install (see videos below) NOTE: Does not fit modular hard top windows (Heritage) 2021+ Bronco Hardtop Window Overlay The rear side glass on the 4 door hardtop Bronco is a great area to black out. You can do this for a number of reasons. Privacy...

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