Hey Guys:

I'm looking to add a windshield and aftermarket roof to my 2018 Mule Pro FXT and wanted some insight.

Fortress and Essex both make the DOT glass windshields and I'm curious if anyone familiar with both windshields can share some details.

As for a roof, I'm looking for a replacement for the factory roof and would want the light bar option (front) with the mounted switches and a cab down light. Not interested in a radio set up.

The Texas Outdoor's/Ranch Armour roofs are definitely a consideration.

Thoughts?

Ranch armor tops, your options are endless

Think Essex is no more. I have fortress windshield and roof. Love the windshield and top is a good top


Note*** if you get windshield and top you will need HD springs


If you are close to TXoutdoors I’d just take it to him and have him do everything personally. He is a fortress dealer

Kawasaki of Irving where I got my mule recommended the Essex. They would know if still in business. I went with the fortress tip out. Have no bad experiences. It does rattle a bit on year two but just need to adjust the mechanism.

I'm still running a factory to of that I bought off of someone that had replaced it. Works fine and keeps me dry. Keep looking at the aftermarket versions. Look at triple c welding in cleburne. They have some standard designs and will customize it for you. Also look at eaglemtx for or fortress for an off the shelf roof.

I have a 2018 Pro FXT as well and had Kawasaki of Iriving install the Fortress roof when I bought. The roof has performed well and allows you to stand on it to fill feeders if needed. I bought an aftermarket flip down windshield off Amazon that has also performed well.

I wanted to be able to mount HID lights and have air flow over the top of the windshield for less dust into the cabin area when it's dry. So I had this one cut out of 1/4" Lexan by my local glass shop. As you can see it mounts with a couple of C-Clamps and some pipe insulation. Very simple and only takes 3-4 min to take off or put on by one person.

Sheet of Aluminum 0.183 and u-bolts for the roof. $250.

3/4 inch plywood

FXT takes two sheets

I have the Essex on mine and a friend has the Fortress on his. Some differences:
The area around the window frame, that attaches to the buggy, is plexiglass on the Essex and metal on the Fortress.
Windows on both are auto glass in an aluminum frame.
The Essex can install and un-install from the buggy without tools. Not sure on the Fortress.
Essex can be towed in the forward position but I would not tow it backwards because the windshield unit snaps onto the roll cage and is not bolted.
Essex has latches inside the window frame. Fortress has a large latch that extends into the cab.
Fortress has a semi-opened vent position, Essex is either fully closed or fully open.
Fortress web site states their roof unit is required. Essex mounts to the roll cage and works with any roof.
Essex costs less than half of the Fortress.
I have no big complaints about the Essex. My friend and I hunt the same rough hill country lease and I have had no issues with the windshield. It stays in the open position just fine in the rough stuff. Only issue I've noticed is that when the window is open the top of the plexiglass frame flexes on rough sections and makes a squeaking sound. I think I can eliminate this by adding a brace from the top of the windshield to the middle grab bar on the roll cage.

Essex on my 4010 Mule.