07 FJ Windshield Replacement

NedH · 09-25-07, 06:46 PM

Wow! What's with the high cost replacement windshields on 07 FJ?
In addition to the approx. cost of $650.00 to replace the broken glass I'm told the top model strip is toast once removed as well.
That replacement cost is $250.00

Anyone have suggestions or alternative replacement parts?

Thanks in adavance.

NedH · 09-25-07, 06:58 PM

Any after market replacement windshield for the 07 FJ?
I'm told $650 plus molding for another $250. What's with this?

Garth · 09-25-07, 08:16 PM

That's how much they cost. I don't think there's an aftermarket version yet available. Find a dealer who gives a TLCA discount...then join TLCA, get the discount, enjoy the new glass.

kiskat23 · 09-25-07, 08:16 PM

If FL its free but, I looked at the invoice and it was over 1400 with the piece of molding that needs to be replaced. K

kiskat23 · 09-25-07, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garth

That's how much they cost. I don't think there's an aftermarket version yet available. Find a dealer who gives a TLCA discount...then join TLCA, get the discount, enjoy the new glass.

Mine is a PPG one. K

LandCruisers4Life · 09-26-07, 09:56 AM

They need to make them out of tempered glass like on oven doors. Rocks would bounce off all day long.

I just got my first 'star' from a small rock kicked up off an 18 wheeler. I was pissed, but what can you do?

SteveH · 09-26-07, 12:51 PM

This was mentioned a few months ago, and the non-Toyota glass was supposed to be about 1/2 the price of Toyota glass. Not all shops carry this non-OEM glass, so you might call around.

Edmunds.com broke the windshield on their long-term test FJ Cruiser and they were dismayed at the replacement cost of around $700.

Also, many new windshields have 'trim' that cannot be re-used, and it varies in price from $25 to <a lot more than that>. My '98 4Runner 'molding' was $26.

Steve

tddfj · 09-28-07, 10:39 AM

did anyone try their insurence comp. here in kentucky we have what is called the act of god clause. this replaces front windows at no cost. because in this state is against the law to drive with broken or cracked windows. had several replaced never a penny out of pocket.

FLYINGLOW · 10-01-07, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

They need to make them out of tempered glass like on oven doors. Rocks would bounce off all day long.

I have smashed more tempered glass windows on my 40 than I can count. I wish stuff bounced off all day! If it was tempered glass then it would smash into a million pieces when it was hit hard enough crack. You couldn't even drive home. The windshield is also a structural member on most vehicles.

gotmud · 10-01-07, 07:59 PM

FJ's are notorious for windshield damage, primarily due to the angle.

Most glass companies charge your insurance company about twice what you would pay if you paid cash. They know exactly how much an insurance company will cover and will make sure the invoice is right up to that amount. Cash prices tend to be more competitive since they know you'll shop around. JM $.02

LandCruisers4Life · 10-06-07, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYINGLOW

I have smashed more tempered glass windows on my 40 than I can count. I wish stuff bounced off all day! If it was tempered glass then it would smash into a million pieces when it was hit hard enough crack. You couldn't even drive home. The windshield is also a structural member on most vehicles.

Uh, I think YOUR version of this glass is much different than the kind I am talking about.

FLYINGLOW · 10-06-07, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

Uh, I think YOUR version of this glass is much different than the kind I am talking about.

huh?

LandCruisers4Life · 10-06-07, 08:10 PM

The tempered glass used on old stoves of yesteryear was so strong you could hit it with a hammer and it wouldn't break. I know because when I was a kid, I tried it on a stove we were throwing away.

FLYINGLOW · 10-07-07, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

The tempered glass used on old stoves of yesteryear was so strong you could hit it with a hammer and it wouldn't break. I know because when I was a kid, I tried it on a stove we were throwing away.

Its also very thick. Not really appriate for a windshield.

LandCruisers4Life · 10-07-07, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYINGLOW

Its also very thick. Not really appriate for a windshield.

I think it would be perfect for a windshield. Especially since mine already has 2 'stars' on it already from pebbles being tossed off the road by other vehicles.

FLYINGLOW · 10-07-07, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

I think it would be perfect for a windshield. Especially since mine already has 2 'stars' on it already from pebbles being tossed off the road by other vehicles.

Well, feel free to do it BUT when (it will happen) you do get that first chip the whole windshield will break into a million pieces and you won't be able to see through it to drive home. Break a piece of tempered glass and see what it does, now put 2 pieces together with sticky plastic in the middle and smash it. Let me know how it looks.

AfterHrsAutoGlass · 03-28-09, 12:21 PM

The glass shop has agreements with the insurance networks and we have to agree to the insurance companies pricing. Normally the glass company that has the cheapest price gets the work. We have to bill off of the Mitchell (NAGS) price guide when dealing with insurance. NAGS sets the prices on all auto glass some have a list price of $124.68 all the way up to $2k-$3k.The some companies require we bill by NAGS book hours some hrs. may be .5 some may be 6.0 hrs. . Some are billed at $25 an hr. some up to $60 an hour. depending on the company it may just be a flat labor rate of $45-$100.

I dont know about other companies but we actually loose money when we take an insurance job.

I refuse to even let my office staff take an the new FJ's in we loose about $275 every time they come through the shop.

Another quick note only use Toyota glass on these ,it may void any dealer /manufacture warranty if you use aftermarket glass. Keep you deductibles low and you will only have to pay $50 - $500 for a new install . Fact some companies will even waive your deductible so it could be free.

AfterHrsAutoGlass · 03-28-09, 12:26 PM

Also tempered glass can not with stand the impact of a rock at 30 mph. It will blow up into a million little pieces. Tempered glass hurts bad when it gets in you eyes. Not a safe option that's why they done away with tempered windshields in the first place.

For more info check out After Hours AutoGlass

SHAKE35 · 03-28-09, 03:35 PM

I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD NOW. i got a quote of 340.00 ,it was aftermarket but they told me the molding would most likely need to be replaced ,they priced it at 300.00 so i said forget it
i have a year to go with the cracked windsheild till next inspect.
its one of the downfalls of the fj!!

WyoCruiser · 03-30-09, 10:12 AM

Check out the FJCruiser forum for a huge amount of info./experiences on this subject. According to the posts and my experience, prices have gone down considerably over the last couple of years for FJ Cruiser windshields. Again, according to the comparative experiences of a lot of the posters, aftermarket glass, like LOF, seems to work just as well if not better than Toyota Brand and is less expensive. Also, contact several glass shops to get competitive quotes and have it done at a glass shop rather than at the dealer for lower cost.

Check with your insurance agent. My Farm Bureau agent says go get quotes to find the best price. Then send bill to him. Ins. pays everything up to $500 with no deductable out of my pocket to repair chips or replace glass.

I currently have LOF replacement glass. No warranty issues. It is $300 to $350 at several shops in S. WY and N. CO.

P.S. I've been a member of this forum since 2005 and I may sound like I'm a dealer or work for a related business, but I'm a retired IBM systems analyst and don't work for a dealer or any other business. Please check out the FJCruiser Forum.

CaliChaos · 03-31-09, 08:52 AM

note: you CAN do the windshield without replacing the molding.

I got mine done that way. $300 bucks installed in Houston (Feb 2009).
Just have to have an installer who understands how the molding holds on, a bit of time and patience. A heat gun might work well to soften the plastic clips.

just my .02 worth.

Sure beats the $1200 I was quoted by Toyota early 2008.

killerkoff · 03-31-09, 12:39 PM

yeah mine is toast too. I have to pay the deductible ($500)
i thought i had full coverage but the glass is not apart of it

jerdog · 04-22-09, 10:18 PM

Check your policy for special windshield coverage. Even though I have a $1k deductable, my windshield coverage is only a $100 deductable. I just replaced my Tundra glass, and I didn't realize I had this coverage until recently (been driving with a crack for a few years). I have a small star on my FJC, but it is upper right and out of sight. I'm waiting, and hopefully the price will be closer to my Tundra ($175 total). Thx everyone for the info.

Each state and insurance company is different. If you don't have special coverage, ask for an add on windshield policy rider. That may be a cheaper way to replace the glass.