100 series Windshield Replacement Question: OEM vs. After Market Glass

[jjbodean1970]

Originally Posted by bwbski26

what is hydrophobic glass???

built in water repellant

[madams557]

Originally Posted by sailerj

Hey Michael,
I just had my 02 LC windshield done at the same Elite Auto Glass today. I wish I would have read your message first. They gouged the paint and punched holes in one of the trim pieces. They didn't tell me about either issue and I saw it before I left the store. The tech wouldn't even come out and face me when I called them on it. The rather grouchy-upity girl behind the counter apologized (sort of). They're supposed to have a "professional" paint touch up guy take care of the gouge on Monday. I'm going to push for them replacing the trim as well. It was good as new when I took it in other than the usual sand pits in the windshield. This is my second experience with these guys. I should have learned. On my wife's LX470 they didn't get the trim stuck down tight where it runs up toward the luggage rack. Have you had any luck getting your trim replaced?
John

John,

Once I had brought it to their attention, they told me what was needed. I ordered the parts from Dan, and when I rescheduled the appointment, I brought the parts with me. It appears to be fixed properly. I should probably go check, but I might not really know until I go to have the windshield replaced again.

If I was to go back to Elite, I would talk to the older lady that is there, instead of the younger blond.

Michael

[bwbski26]

so is rain ex a hydrophobic glass treatment? If not what is the difference

[hoser]

The previous owner on my LX replaced the windshield with non-OEM glass. The difference in the amount of heat (from the sun) can felt between the windshield and the side glass. If you have non-OEM glass, just park facing the sun and feel the heat with your hand. Then turn the car 90 degress and face the sun with the driver's side window and see what I'm talking about. Perhaps it is the tint in the side glass?

I have not been able to compare my non-OEM to an OEM windshield but perhaps the OEM windshield has UV and Heat protection just like the side glass? This should help with better fuel efficiency (less use of AC) and less fading and cracking of interior leather.

Next time, I'll buy the glass from Lexus and have a glass specialty shop install it. I am curious as to whether the LX windshield is different than the LC windshield. Anybody know?

[jjbodean1970]

Originally Posted by bwbski26

so is rain ex a hydrophobic glass treatment? If not what is the difference

yes, its the same thing

[tech_dog]

I had a non-oem windshield put in my 80, and it always bugged me that the tint was different from OEM. I ended up replacing it with an OEM. It also chipped constantly. I'm pretty sure it wasn't as hard or tough as OEM.

If you're picky, and most LC owners are, then buck up and get OEM.

[ATLcrusher]

Originally Posted by hoser

Next time, I'll buy the glass from Lexus and have a glass specialty shop install it. I am curious as to whether the LX windshield is different than the LC windshield. Anybody know?

I think the tints are different - other than that I don't know.

I had to have Safelite out three times to get mine right (they ended up buying me new side moldings - which is a whole other story in itself). The key is finding a guy that's done 100's before - preferably many times.

[Jim_Chow]

Originally Posted by hoser

[snip]

Next time, I'll buy the glass from Lexus and have a glass specialty shop install it. I am curious as to whether the LX windshield is different than the LC windshield. Anybody know?

I heard LX glass is thicker for better sound insulation. Also, driver's side wiper blade has the wing attachment for sound reduction, too.

[C-dog]

Just had my windshield repalced yesterday in my driveway for 320.00. The guy was a pro. Replaced all rivots, scraped all old glue off, very precise. He says the the lc is one of the more technical windshield to do. His name is the "Glass Man" here in Basalt,CO.
Highly recommended if your in need a fix here in Colorado.

[pablo3b]

Did you replace it yet? I have a good friend who is a body man in Chino CA at MK Smith Chevy. His auto glass guy did my 99LC for $165. He was very skilled. It's much more important to do the job right. THe previous post about rivets is key. My guy took his time and (about an hour) to prep the area and all that. He said this car and the Lexus require the most patience and a lot of glass guys want to run through it, and then you're stuck with a crack or two down the road.

Make sure the guy has done the LExus and similar cars and will take his time. My chevy had a mickey mouse windshield replacement and it cracked one hot summer.

As far as OEM and aftermarket glass is concerned, I'm not and neither is my buddy. It's all about installation. Happy to help refer my friend's glass guy if anyone in So Cal needs it. email me at pablo3b@verizon.net

[jjbodean1970]

right, there is plenty of aftermarket glass with the correct tint out there. it's all about finding someone with experience who will do the job right the first time

[Pigeon]

I worked at a Dealership in the service department - We never once installed the glass ourselves - always had a glass company come and do it and just charged the customer like double.

[Filmpros]

Check first to see if your insurance has this type of coverage or better yet glass coverage....which is - 0 - deductible. I can get that coverage in NY bit not in CA for some reason.

Originally Posted by hoser

I have a $100 insurance deductible for comprehensive claims. Cracked windshields only cost $100 to replace and I can specify OEM glass. Insurance rates are unaffected. Some places even pay for the deductible up to $100. Sure my insurance premium is slightly higher than if I had a $500 deductible but I figure in 4-5 years (breakeven point), I'm bound to make a comprehensive claim.

I'm not telling you to purposely crack your windshield though

[Filmpros]

Correct...most dealerships outsource this work. I had an older cruiser, since sold, that had a Glass Replacement done at Millennium Toyota in Long Island, NY. I insisted on OEM Glass and my insurance company paid for the whole thing. It was over $1,000 for the job.

Sadly, the install was done very poorly. The window leaked...not just the first time they installed the glass....but three times afterwards as well. I finally had to go to a body shop to get the glass installed properly. That is when he told me they drilled holes in the trim piece ... for what reason I do not know. He also explained that the LC Front Windshield replacements are rather tricky.

I sued the dealer in Small Claims Court. I had them nailed to a cross and won. However, even though it was obvious they screwed me...the guy from the dealership still tried to negotiate the settlement. The "mediator" from Small Claims Court looked at him like he was crazy...and told him to pay me.

Originally Posted by Pigeon

I worked at a Dealership in the service department - We never once installed the glass ourselves - always had a glass company come and do it and just charged the customer like double.

[Jim_Chow]

I had mine done at Scottsdale lexus since my local dealer doesn't do windshields. The lex dealer outsourced it to a glass shop that does all their installs. The dealer techs pull away the headliner and stuff on A-pillar, then the glass company installs the glass. They did a good job, so far, so good. Cost $1K for OEM glass plus all the mouldings/rivets/rain sensing tape. Insurance company covered it 100% (full glass coverage here in AZ, NOT lumped into comprehensive like in CA).

[LXPearl]

I had my windshield replaced - PPG glass. Installation was done by a glass company that the Lexus dealer uses - done very well.

The windshield is made of safety glass while the side window glass is tempered. They are different types of glass and cannot be directly compared with each other. The windshield is a structural and safety component of the vehicle, including the sealer used to hold it in place.

[Living in the Past]

Did Toyota change anything as far as UV protection since 2000? I thought I read somewhere that is has better protection now. When I bought my 2000 the Toyota dealer had just had the windshield replace with non-OEM glass and the UV protection sucks. The windshield is cracked again and I do have 0 deductable for all safety glass I would be willing to pay extra to get the best UV protection possible. So while I copied the installation out of the FSM to try and get the job done right the first time I'm also looking to get the best UV protection here AZ. So who has the best UV rated glass.

I do already have all the other glass tinted with UV protection so almost of the UV is coming thru the front glass.

John

[Jim_Chow]

Originally Posted by Living in the Past

Did Toyota change anything as far as UV protection since 2000? I thought I read somewhere that is has better protection now. When I bought my 2000 the Toyota dealer had just had the windshield replace with non-OEM glass and the UV protection sucks. The windshield is cracked again and I do have 0 deductable for all safety glass I would be willing to pay extra to get the best UV protection possible. So while I copied the installation out of the FSM to try and get the job done right the first time I'm also looking to get the best UV protection here AZ. So who has the best UV rated glass.

I do already have all the other glass tinted with UV protection so almost of the UV is coming thru the front glass.

John

I had Scottsdale Lexus replace my windshield w/ OEM glass. The OEM glass is UV absorbing. Cost was about $996 incl mouldings, rain sensing tape, and rivets. Insurance covered 100%, no inspector needed.

[PVCruiser]

I am having a customers W/S replaced tomorrow. He has a '98. The quote was $165, on site. We'll see how it turns out. Might have to questions him on his skill level after reading all these posts.

[NMuzj100]

Good thread on the windshield trim moulding here ...

Windshield trim problem

[Filmpros]

Originally Posted by BillWms01

Be careful with a cheap glass outfit doing the work. My glass guy was here the other day fixing a crack in my 2000 LC windshield, and I saw him studying the molding around the sides. When I asked him what's up, he was comparing it to a Lexus he had recently done, and noted there's more to these than a usual replacement.

He said the windshield has several pop rivits along each side (underneath molding), and if they aren't installed correctly, it'll crack the new windshield. Said he'd seen one where a cheap installer had replaced the rivits with half the number of screws, and didn't even replace the molding.

So, make sure you trust the glass guy you get to do the work. And, as someone else pointed out, going to the dealer doesn't automatically mean they're trustworthy.

Be forewarned. Not many people know how to do windshields on Land Cruisers properly. I had the glass replaced on my 2001 LC and it had to be done over three (3) times by the Dealer and once (1) by my trusted Body Shop before it stopped leaking. However, even after the super "A Type" installer I use was done...it made a hell of a racket due to increased wind noise. It was so annoying, I had to sell the vehicle and buy a new one.

Also, I would never use anything but OEM Glass. It is a dead giveaway that there was a problem of some sort with the vehicle. My insurance pays for full glass coverage in NY....but there is a deductible for my cars in California.

FYI - This windshield takes three (3) people top install properly. There are few folks that can do this properly.

[SWUtah]

Originally Posted by Filmpros

Be forewarned. Not many people know how to do windshields on Land Cruisers properly. I had the glass replaced on my 2001 LC and it had to be done over three (3) times by the Dealer and once (1) by my trusted Body Shop before it stopped leaking. However, even after the super "A Type" installer I use was done...it made a hell of a racket due to increased wind noise. It was so annoying, I had to sell the vehicle and buy a new one.

Also, I would never use anything but OEM Glass. It is a dead giveaway that there was a problem of some sort with the vehicle. My insurance pays for full glass coverage in NY....but there is a deductible for my cars in California.

FYI - This windshield takes three (3) people top install properly. There are few folks that can do this properly.

My experience was just the opposite to yours. Had a 99 LC, called Safelite, the guy came out and repalced the glass and used special screws to replace the rivets. Did a great job no wind noise and the glass looked great.

[spressomon]

[quote=SWUtah;2067499]My experience was just the opposite to yours. Had a 99 LC, called Safelite, the guy came out and repalced the glass and used special screws to replace the rivets. Did a great job no wind noise and the glass looked great.


X2

[Dandon]

Hi,
my windshield cracked a few days ago. What begun as a small crack is now 30 cm long, so I have to replace it. My insurance fully covers the cost, but I have to do it at a certain car glass shop (Guardian Express, I don't know if it is a local or worldwide franchise). I'm taking the LC to them today so they can check the windshield and give me a date. After reading this thread I will thoroughly check the new windshiled after installation, until I'm satisfied with it.

[Dandon]

Well, I got the Windshield replaced yesterday. Work seems to be overall OK, except for the rivet cover trim rubber on both sides. They came off almost by just looking at them. I was able to get them right easily, so I don't understand why the "tech(s)" did such a lousy finish work. Though everything else seems to fit, I'll be checking for leaks in the next couple of days. The new windshield looks identical to the OEM one, but i'ts made in South Africa (?)

BTW, I had the date for last friday, but they had a wrong windshield (for an 80 or 90 series, I'm not sure), so I had to return yesterday.

[rusty_tlc]

Originally Posted by spressomon

X2

Is this the place you mentioned the other day?