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

[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.

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Is this the place you mentioned the other day?

 

[dnp]

Reviving a 4-year old thread from the FAQ section:

After searching a multitude of windshield threads, and after reading this one posted in the FAQ section, there is still no clear procedure anywhere I can find for the proper replacement of a 100 windshield. There's plenty of discussion about which brand of glass to use, which install shops are the best, watching out for the use of rivets rather than screws (but no explanation on where the rivets are located in connection to the windshield), etc., but I can find no "this is what you need, and this is how you need to do it" guidance for those of us about to have windshields replaced.

In a nutshell, I'm about to have my 2003 LX windshield replaced, and I want to make sure what parts - in addition to the windshield - I should make sure to replace so (a) the windshield doesn't leak, and (b) I don't start to experience wind noise.

If it's not already out there on the forum, would anyone be able to offer the entire process through which a 100 windshield should be replaced?

HUGE thanks in advance!

 

[SupraTuRD]

Reviving a 4-year old thread from the FAQ section:

After searching a multitude of windshield threads, and after reading this one posted in the FAQ section, there is still no clear procedure anywhere I can find for the proper replacement of a 100 windshield. There's plenty of discussion about which brand of glass to use, which install shops are the best, watching out for the use of rivets rather than screws (but no explanation on where the rivets are located in connection to the windshield), etc., but I can find no "this is what you need, and this is how you need to do it" guidance for those of us about to have windshields replaced.

In a nutshell, I'm about to have my 2003 LX windshield replaced, and I want to make sure what parts - in addition to the windshield - I should make sure to replace so (a) the windshield doesn't leak, and (b) I don't start to experience wind noise.

If it's not already out there on the forum, would anyone be able to offer the entire process through which a 100 windshield should be replaced?

HUGE thanks in advance!

The rivets are located along the A-pillars. They simply hold the side molding in place.

 

[dealmaker]

I just had the windshield on our 2006 LX470 replaced here in the Los Angeles area. After perusing MUD on the subject and scoping out repair shops, I went with National Auto Glass on La Cienega Blvd., a small mom & pop that's been around for decades. The owner and the installer are both very knowledgable on the rivets issue and have repaired jobs botched by others. After a couple conversations with the owner, I went with the Pilkington glass. Cost out the door was just a bit below $400. They do mobile installations, too. Right after the owner finished telling me that Pilkington does OEM glass for Mercedes and other high-end cars, he walked over to my employers Mercedes F-Cell parked next to us and pointed out the Pilkington logo on his windshield. Highly recommend this company if you're anywhere near L.A. and need a windshield replacement.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Just got my fourth windshield installed and the first non-OEM one. The insurance company here in NM won't pay for OEM glass, so it was either $1700 out-of-pocket for OEM or $250 for third-party. I figured I'd try third party since they gravel the roads during the winter here in NM. Based on reviews here at mud, I went with Pilkington glass instead of PPG. I inspected the replacement windshield before installation. It was optically clear (no blurring), had a bronze tint like the OEM, and designated places (w/ brackets) for the rain sensor and rear view mirror. The glass had pretty good thickness. I wasn't able to compare it to the OEM, but the thickness of the glass on either side of the plastic laminate sheet was respectable. Total thickness was probably around 3/16". It appears to be otherwise made to the same specifications (bronze tint, black border w/ the black dots, fit, etc). I went with a glass company that performs the installations for the local Lexus dealer so they are familiar with the rivets and dissassembly of the headboard and A-pillar. I also had them use OEM moulding pieces, rivets, and rain sensing tape, which they ordered through the local dealer. The vehicle was ready in 2 hrs. I drove it home on the interstate going 75mph...no whistling sounds, no rattles, vehicle is as quiet as before with the OEM glass. I can't wash it for 2 days, but will test out the rain sensing wipers after that. So far, so good. I'll see how durable this one is. The OEM ones are almost guaranteed to crack if you get hit by a stone within an inch of the edge of the glass (3 of my 4 OEM windshields cracked that way).

 

[BMWSTOY]

This was no rock. 2500 mile trip and this happens in the last 30



Wondering if the installer will know what it was, I can only guess a ball bearing of some sort dropped from an overpass

 

[patrickfinley]

Thought I would update this thread. I just got a price from Toyota for the windshield alone it's $1076. That doesn't include trim or other parts, just the glass. I didn't believe him so I called another dealer and he quoted me the same price. I asked the parts guy his thoughts and he said that he wouldn't spend that money if it was his truck. I'm in CA so I don't think insurance will cover it like other states.

Non OEM prices with install are about $230- $330. I'm just going to try and find someone reputable. I found out who the dealership uses for glass and might have them install PPK or Plinkington glass for me.

Question, can they reuse the Rivets or should I buy some spare parts for the installers? Will the installers have rivets or screws? Can I get just the rivets or do I need to buy new trim as well?