Armadillo Designs Squareback Aluminum Hardtop

[4avor8ntfair]

Hey all!
I was a day-1 order for the Armadillo Designs squareback hardtop and have been excited about getting mine for ~1-1/2 years. I finally had it installed Weds.

I do photography as a hobby (@4avor4otography) and am unaffiliated /unpaid with/by the AD team. They didn't ask me to post this and have no idea that I am posting.

~~~~
Like a lot of guys, I switched my factory build from the hardtop to softtop back in 2021 due to Ford asking people, due to supply chain constraints. When it was clear that they weren't giving out discounted hardtops to people who switched for them, I started looking around at aftermarket. I had previously looked at one (now defunct) fiberglass hardtop company as an alternative to the AD top. I picked the AD because of what seemed like increased durability with the aluminum. I also liked the modularity and how they were partnering with roof rack companies to integrate with their riv-nut (sp?) mounting.

I definitely liked the convenience of flipping back the soft top, but hated how loud it was. I also made the idiot mistake of forgetting and attempting to back into my garage...had to replace the softtop with another that I found locally on FB market.

The install of the AD top was pretty straightforward. It's a combination of adhesive and bolts, so semi-permanent. I had added the interior insulation, side-molle panels and added the rear molle panels to complete the look.

They were able to get my from sunglasses metal basket to fit, but it's a permanent install for the basket now. I already had another set of interior molle panels and basket. I thought about getting the AD interior molle/basket, but couldn't justify it...mine works just fine. I would have ordered theirs if I didn't have these already.

If you have any questions, I'll try to be responsive.

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[Epiphany]

MOAR!

 

[mvilla]

Very nice. Once I see some with roof racks I might place an order. Do you think the @Mountains2Metal flip down attic tray would fit back there?

 

[Pseudoko]

Hey all!
I was a day-1 order for the Armadillo Designs squareback hardtop and have been excited about getting mine for ~1-1/2 years. I finally had it installed Weds.

I do photography as a hobby (@4avor4otography) and am unaffiliated /unpaid with/by the AD team. They didn't ask me to post this and have no idea that I am posting.

~~~~
Like a lot of guys, I switched my factory build from the hardtop to softtop back in 2021 due to Ford asking people, due to supply chain constraints. When it was clear that they weren't giving out discounted hardtops to people who switched for them, I started looking around at aftermarket. I had previously looked at one (now defunct) fiberglass hardtop company as an alternative to the AD top. I picked the AD because of what seemed like increased durability with the aluminum. I also liked the modularity and how they were partnering with roof rack companies to integrate with their riv-nut (sp?) mounting.

I definitely liked the convenience of flipping back the soft top, but hated how loud it was. I also made the idiot mistake of forgetting and attempting to back into my garage...had to replace the softtop with another that I found locally on FB market.

The install of the AD top was pretty straightforward. It's a combination of adhesive and bolts, so semi-permanent. I had added the interior insulation, side-molle panels and added the rear molle panels to complete the look.

They were able to get my from sunglasses metal basket to fit, but it's a permanent install for the basket now. I already had another set of interior molle panels and basket. I thought about getting the AD interior molle/basket, but couldn't justify it...mine works just fine. I would have ordered theirs if I didn't have these already.

If you have any questions, I'll try to be responsive.

nice I’m in batch 2 so just waiting on getting the call to drive on over to Texas to do a shop visit and install. How much more quiet is it versus the soft top?

 

[braddavis2017]

I’ve been waiting for this for a long time! Thank you for sharing multiple high-quality photos of the square back. It feels like most of the online and YouTube marketing only focuses on the slant back.

Really appreciate you being one of the first to share and test it!

 

[Rumbloki]

I would be interested, if the open-air panel would slide back instead of having to remove and store it.

 

[EasternSierra]

Thanks for sharing the photos. How do you like the solid left panel and molle/window right and back panels? I've been deliberating on which way to go with those. How is visibility out the rear window when driving?

 

[BroncoBoy22]

@Ninjak

 

[Ninjak]

@4avor8ntfair : Thanks for sharing this on the forums. I had seen your install on the feed.

Man, I wish I lived closer, I would probably have my top. I spoke with Fabion on Friday, and they are still waiting for my top to come back from powder. Being white, I guess those are taking a little more time. He said once it comes back everything is ready for final assembly and shipping. He did tell me I should receive it this month. So I am waiting for that email saying it's on its way.

I have the same question: How is the view with the molle on the rear glass? I asked Fabion, he showed me some pics and a video they were going to release to show, but he showed it against a very clear background with no objects, so it was hard to judge. He did say it looked like looking out of a giant checkerboard. Which I would agree.

I was thinking on the rear glass molle since I have a slant back, to mount my RotoPax on them at an angle.....facing out. So a 30% angle out from the molle. Various things can be done, but as you said it would complete the look. Interesting you went with one glass on the gullwing.

Grats on your top. I cannot wait till I receive mine. I am a patient man, I know it will be worth the long wait.

 

[seananigans]

Looks like building a top platform for defense contractors. This bullet proof?

 

[LatinoComedian]

Hey all!
I was a day-1 order for the Armadillo Designs squareback hardtop and have been excited about getting mine for ~1-1/2 years. I finally had it installed Weds.

I do photography as a hobby (@4avor4otography) and am unaffiliated /unpaid with/by the AD team. They didn't ask me to post this and have no idea that I am posting.

~~~~
Like a lot of guys, I switched my factory build from the hardtop to softtop back in 2021 due to Ford asking people, due to supply chain constraints. When it was clear that they weren't giving out discounted hardtops to people who switched for them, I started looking around at aftermarket. I had previously looked at one (now defunct) fiberglass hardtop company as an alternative to the AD top. I picked the AD because of what seemed like increased durability with the aluminum. I also liked the modularity and how they were partnering with roof rack companies to integrate with their riv-nut (sp?) mounting.

I definitely liked the convenience of flipping back the soft top, but hated how loud it was. I also made the idiot mistake of forgetting and attempting to back into my garage...had to replace the softtop with another that I found locally on FB market.

The install of the AD top was pretty straightforward. It's a combination of adhesive and bolts, so semi-permanent. I had added the interior insulation, side-molle panels and added the rear molle panels to complete the look.

They were able to get my from sunglasses metal basket to fit, but it's a permanent install for the basket now. I already had another set of interior molle panels and basket. I thought about getting the AD interior molle/basket, but couldn't justify it...mine works just fine. I would have ordered theirs if I didn't have these already.

If you have any questions, I'll try to be responsive.

This is what I've been waiting for. Your pictures made me change my mind on the gull wing doors. I think I might go with glass now, more to let in some light than anything (when I don't have something mounted).

It still has a slight slant, which I like.

Did they ever mention anything about adding in a wiper to the back in the future?

 

[HighVelocity]

This bullet proof?

Aluminum is well known for it's ability to deflect gunfire.

 

[4avor8ntfair]

Very nice. Once I see some with roof racks I might place an order. Do you think the @Mountains2Metal flip down attic tray would fit back there?

They have been posting about the rack options on their instagram, but mostly on stories (I think) so I can't find it. I know they have a Gobi rack configuration, TrailRax, and also the Racket options. Not sure the timing that each of these would be sold though.

 

[4avor8ntfair]

nice I’m in batch 2 so just waiting on getting the call to drive on over to Texas to do a shop visit and install. How much more quiet is it versus the soft top?

I did't measure the difference, but they've posted that it's 15-20 dB quieter than the hardtop. It didn't measure, but i's a LOT quieter.

 

[4avor8ntfair]

Very nice. Once I see some with roof racks I might place an order. Do you think the @Mountains2Metal flip down attic tray would fit back there?

I was looking at that one. I think it would fit. You MIGHT be able to consider a non-flip down version.

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