Armadillo Designs Bronco Hardtop: The Ultimate Overland Upgrade

When it comes to overlanding, every modification needs to serve a purpose—whether it’s for durability, functionality, or pure adventure-ready capability. That’s why we chose the Armadillo Designs Bronco Hardtop. The OEM top wasn’t cutting it for us, and we needed something stronger, more versatile, and built for the kind of off-road abuse we put our Bronco Raptor through. After extensive testing, we can confidently say this top is a game-changer.

Why We Chose the Armadillo Designs Hardtop

One of the biggest factors that drew us to the Armadillo top was its all-aluminum construction. Not only is it significantly stronger than the OEM top, but it also gives us more confidence when mounting our gear and putting weight on the roof. The gullwing side doors sealed the deal for us, as they provide unmatched access to our rear cargo area and allow us to set up efficient storage solutions.

Fit, Finish, and Durability

Right out of the box, the fit and finish were spot on. Installation was seamless, and we immediately noticed an improvement over the OEM top. We had been dealing with frustrating water ingress issues and latching problems on rough trails—problems that are now a thing of the past. The latches on the Armadillo top are better designed and handle trail vibrations with ease.

We opted for the black powder coat finish, and so far, it has held up exceptionally well in rain, mud, and snow. The marine-grade interior liner has also made a noticeable difference in sound deadening and insulation, keeping the cabin quieter and more comfortable in all weather conditions.

Mounting Capabilities and Storage Solutions

The preinstalled rivnut mounting points have been a huge plus for us, allowing us to reinforce our roof rack and rooftop tent setup with additional L-track supports. With the TrailRax roof rack, we’ve seamlessly integrated our lighting and gear mounting solutions while maintaining confidence in the roof structure and seals.

Inside, we’ve taken full advantage of the storage options by installing interior MOLLE panels and the rear shelf. We’ve mounted our Victron and WeBoost systems on one side, while a 5lb propane tank with a Power Tank mount is secured on the other. On the rear shelf, we’ve got our 1.5-ton ProEagle Talon jack, a Dometic GO water jug, and a 1200-watt Victron inverter—all neatly organized and easily accessible.

Functionality in the Field

The gullwing side doors have completely changed how we access and organize our gear. We’ve set up a charging station on one side, while the other side holds our propane tank and air hoses for quick use. The gas struts are strong enough to support our 4-gallon Rotopax, adding even more functionality.

Roof Panel Access and Modularity

Before installing our roof rack and rooftop tent, removing the roof panels was easy and added another level of versatility. Now that we have our rack and tent mounted, the panels stay in place, but that’s not an issue for us since we rarely remove them anyway.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Investment?

For an American-made hardtop, the price point is absolutely justified. Comparing this top to the OEM option (or other aftermarket alternatives) is like comparing apples to oranges—the Armadillo Hardtop is in a league of its own. The combination of strength, storage adaptability, and ease of use makes it one of the best upgrades we’ve made to our Bronco Raptor.

If there’s one thing we’d improve, it would be having a liner option for patches, but even without that, the interior feels premium and well thought-out.

For serious off-roaders and overlanders looking for a hardtop that enhances durability, functionality, and storage, the Armadillo Designs Bronco Hardtop is the ultimate choice.

What do you think? Have you considered upgrading your Bronco’s hardtop? Let us know in the comments!