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

[2001LC]

Over-sized plastic sleeved aluminium rivets are available.

Typically when screws are used they rust even if SS, as they cut through paint to body metal. Installers having miss aligned side molding, will then drilled new holes in "A" pillar, leaving factory holes open. These open holes allow air and water into interior. Often they also leave out the inner molding that covers rivets.

Additionally we've holes in body from factory at stop retainers along top. Factory stops are rarely used which is okay, provided holes are plugged.

 

[Eliot]

I am currently working with my insurance to get a new windshield installed on the LX (for the 3rd time in 3 years...). Unfortunately, insurance won't cover a dime of OEM glass because an OE "Equivalent" is available. I can't justify coughing up the $1000 they want for the Lexus part because I'm sure in a year or two i'll be looking at another windshield (Lots of dump trucks on my commute). I've been going back and forth with the tech at the glass shop to understand the exact piece of glass i'm getting and wanted to share some knowledge i've acquired.

The majority of the aftermarket brands offered are Chinese made. CCC, Fuyo (FY), and Trival are brands you'll hear a lot. Chinese garbage. I've had CCC and it was pitting after 6 months. They also crack very easily. I hate that this is the s*** they offer to protect me from whatever is flying at my vehicle. Pilkington and PGW (Pittsburgh Glass Works) are a common brand to request based on historic quality and good american made glass manufacturing. However, they are apparently way behind on production of older vehicles. Right now they're only really able to keep up with production for brand new vehicles. That means Pilkington and PGW are now outsourcing their production of glass for older vehicles to chinese plants. PGW branded glass is still stamped PGW, but made in China...not sure about pilkington, but the tech said he heard they're also outsourcing to China.

Regardless, all these pieces of glass should have a "DOT" stamp on them followed by a number. This indicates the plant where the glass was manufactured. Currently, for my LX, the glass shop has a PGW windshield for me at the shop, stamped "PGW", but it's marked DOT 563, made in P.R.O.C. China. Still debating whether i want to have it installed or not.

Here's a link for DOT references. Ask to see the glass and look for the DOT before they install glass on your vehicle. In hindsight i would have gone OEM on the first go around. May have saved me a couple windshield replacements.

DOT number search: DOT Number Database

 

[95Fantasma80]

Any insurance company actually offer OEM replacements? I'll switch over to them!

 

[KraziAzn]

Any insurance company actually offer OEM replacements? I'll switch over to them!

Farmers. I had my 2012 IS-F replaced with OEM glass at the dealership. They paid 1.2k for it. Only 100 bucks deductible. But they ended up cutting me a check for $50 because "loss of use" on my vehicle. They had to keep my car for 1 day to let the glue/seals settle. So I ended up paying $50 bucks for my OEM windshield.

But for some reason, it doesn't cover my 2000 LC, I think it might be too old?

 

[Eliot]

Allstate kept saying "it's a 20 year old vehicle." Haha, if they only knew. Allstate will replace with OEM glass on +/-1 year old vehicles. So if it was a 2017, 18 or 19 then i'd get OEM.

 

[KraziAzn]

Allstate kept saying "it's a 20 year old vehicle." Haha, if they only knew. Allstate will replace with OEM glass on +/-1 year old vehicles. So if it was a 2017, 18 or 19 then i'd get OEM.

Lol. Yeah. When I told my agent I want comprehensive coverage on my 2000 LC, he was very confused. He recommended me to get liability since the vehicle is so old / high mileage (169k). If they only knew indeed...

 

[95Fantasma80]

Farmers. I had my 2012 IS-F replaced with OEM glass at the dealership. They paid 1.2k for it. Only 100 bucks deductible. But they ended up cutting me a check for $50 because "loss of use" on my vehicle. They had to keep my car for 1 day to let the glue/seals settle. So I ended up paying $50 bucks for my OEM windshield.

But for some reason, it doesn't cover my 2000 LC, I think it might be too old?

Hmmm, we should all go on a hunt for the best insurance companies and find one that will actually go with OEM even with old vehicle, even if the policy is +- $100-300 a temporary switch to them to take care of this issue would be worth it.

 

[KraziAzn]

Hmmm, we should all go on a hunt for the best insurance companies and find one that will actually go with OEM even with old vehicle, even if the policy is +- $100-300 a temporary switch to them to take care of this issue would be worth it.

The main question is, do they still make OEM glass with the Toyota stamp on it? Or is it whatever the dealership have left over in stock.

 

[CrusingTheVista]

I have a question for you guys that have had your windshield replaced with Safelite. Which molding pieces did they actually replace? Mine seem damaged and out of wack all the way up to the front of the roof rack. I just want to make sure it all gets replaced when I do it.

Quote as of 01/12/19 for Safelite was $280.99 if I drive to their shop and an extra $34.99 for them to come to me.

 

[COYS]

I am currently working with my insurance to get a new windshield installed on the LX (for the 3rd time in 3 years...). Unfortunately, insurance won't cover a dime of OEM glass because an OE "Equivalent" is available. I can't justify coughing up the $1000 they want for the Lexus part because I'm sure in a year or two i'll be looking at another windshield (Lots of dump trucks on my commute). I've been going back and forth with the tech at the glass shop to understand the exact piece of glass i'm getting and wanted to share some knowledge i've acquired.

The majority of the aftermarket brands offered are Chinese made. CCC, Fuyo (FY), and Trival are brands you'll hear a lot. Chinese garbage. I've had CCC and it was pitting after 6 months. They also crack very easily. I hate that this is the s*** they offer to protect me from whatever is flying at my vehicle. Pilkington and PGW (Pittsburgh Glass Works) are a common brand to request based on historic quality and good american made glass manufacturing. However, they are apparently way behind on production of older vehicles. Right now they're only really able to keep up with production for brand new vehicles. That means Pilkington and PGW are now outsourcing their production of glass for older vehicles to chinese plants. PGW branded glass is still stamped PGW, but made in China...not sure about pilkington, but the tech said he heard they're also outsourcing to China.

Regardless, all these pieces of glass should have a "DOT" stamp on them followed by a number. This indicates the plant where the glass was manufactured. Currently, for my LX, the glass shop has a PGW windshield for me at the shop, stamped "PGW", but it's marked DOT 563, made in P.R.O.C. China. Still debating whether i want to have it installed or not.

Here's a link for DOT references. Ask to see the glass and look for the DOT before they install glass on your vehicle. In hindsight i would have gone OEM on the first go around. May have saved me a couple windshield replacements.

DOT number search: DOT Number Database

Consider ClearPlex. I just installed a new OEM ACG made windshield on my 80 and applied ClearPlex. Good product.

 

[Greenbean]

I have a question for you guys that have had your windshield replaced with Safelite. Which molding pieces did they actually replace? Mine seem damaged and out of wack all the way up to the front of the roof rack. I just want to make sure it all gets replaced when I do it.

Quote as of 01/12/19 for Safelite was $280.99 if I drive to their shop and an extra $34.99 for them to come to me.

You ever find out which trim pieces you needed?

I’m about to start this process on my 100 and am looking for details on any “extra” items I could source from Toyota to help the installer. My two left and right trim pieces at mangled pretty bad from whoever put the last windshield in. And the upper trim is not aligned all the way across the front either.

 

[Eliot]

I'd also appreciate this info, specifically P/Ns if anyone has those. Going on windshield number 5 in the last 3 years. I've had both CCC and PGW, both chinese garbage...

 

[HoustonFj80]

I just finished replacing the windshield on my 99, here are the PN's I used:

75533-60031 Aluminum trim
75534-60021 Aluminum trim
75543-60020 Moulding (rivet covers)
75531-60030 Top gasket
90269-04053 factory rivets (3.2mm)

The previous windshield installation job was a total hack that used larger sheet metal screws in place of the rivets, a combination on these oversized rivets did the job where the factory ones wouldn't grab:

Ford PN: W713819-S900 (4mm)
Toyota PN: 90269-06013 (4.8mm). You'll have to drill out the aluminum trim and file down the rivet head slightly to fit the trim channel.

 

[Asanka]

I just finished replacing the windshield on my 99, here are the PN's I used:

75533-60031 Aluminum trim
75534-60021 Aluminum trim
75543-60020 Moulding (rivet covers)
75531-60030 Top gasket
90269-04053 factory rivets (3.2mm)

The previous windshield installation job was a total hack that used larger sheet metal screws in place of the rivets, a combination on these oversized rivets did the job where the factory ones wouldn't grab:

Ford PN: W713819-S900 (4mm)
Toyota PN: 90269-06013 (4.8mm). You'll have to drill out the aluminum trim and file down the rivet head slightly to fit the trim channel.

From where did you replace it? Like go through the same route

 

[vkfzj80]

Thanks for posting those part numbers, I am dealing with this right now and will be tracking down some of these rivets as well

I just finished replacing the windshield on my 99, here are the PN's I used:

75533-60031 Aluminum trim
75534-60021 Aluminum trim
75543-60020 Moulding (rivet covers)
75531-60030 Top gasket
90269-04053 factory rivets (3.2mm)

The previous windshield installation job was a total hack that used larger sheet metal screws in place of the rivets, a combination on these oversized rivets did the job where the factory ones wouldn't grab:

Ford PN: W713819-S900 (4mm)
Toyota PN: 90269-06013 (4.8mm). You'll have to drill out the aluminum trim and file down the rivet head slightly to fit the trim channel.

 

[HoustonFj80]

From where did you replace it? Like go through the same route

Glass Co & Mirror on 16th Street.

 

[sean2202]

From my understanding talking to a private one man windshield shop in buisiness for 30 years who fixes windshields at 2 local toyota dealers so they can then sell the cars, said these LC are a "pain in the a$$" along with the FJ cruiser but the LC is worse.

He told me that since screws where used it would be OK as long as the metal was properly treated and then a sealant of sorts was applied to the screw.

The factory uses a plastic rivet which is good but from what I could gather from him talking it still could possibly get moisture underneath on a factory windshield.

Well what a joke and a B/S artist this guy was. Replaced the glass with PGW and used rivets that I found from another thread on here. Toyota shop supposedly did rust repair around windshield.
Well low and behold about 2 months after it was done a rock hit the glass and chipped it. A quote to repair was “50/50 chance on it spiderwebbing” I decided to let it go. Well it cracked a little while later. Called the original installer and filed a claim again (dumb) Well, “the glass is coming soon“ but never did. Finally 1 year later I called someone else to repair it. Tons of rust underneath, never treated. They said If I was ever in an accident the windshield would have fallen right out.

Be careful of who you trust to do work.
Once you tell insurance it is on your insurance record for 5 years even if it was never paid out.

 

[2001LC]

I recently advised a client, who had just bought and 03LX. To have windshield rust repair paid for by insurance. I said tell the rust must be fix before windshield can be install. Windshield is a safety issue. They either pay or total the vehicle. They paid him $~3k. He got the job done for under $2k and bought tires with the extra.

 

[suprarx7nut]

I recently advised a client, who had just bought and 03LX. To have windshield rust repair paid for by insurance. I said tell the rust must be fix before windshield can be install. Windshield is a safety issue. They either pay or total the vehicle. They paid him $~3k. He got the job done for under $2k and bought tires with the extra.

I had a very similar situation recently on my 06LX. Shop removed old windshield and told me and my insurance they HAD to perform extensive rust repair and refused to install the glass without it. Insurance profusely refused up front. Said it was unnecessary and the shop was just trying to run up the bill. After extensive back and forth with me and the shop, insurance agreed and covered all the rust repair, Lexus glass, new trim and of course, rivets. I was left to cover the paint work portion of the bill. I'm not sure how much paint was really done since it's all under the trim/urethane, but I've just got to trust that the shop needed to do it and executed on the work. Insurance paid out $2.5-3k. I paid $1,100.

 

[LC2000Red]

Having read these very helpful posts on windshield replacement, and unable to get a clear answer through the typical insurance claim people on the phone, I drove to the local Safelite garage and confirmed directly with the technicians that they indeed had experience replacing 100 series windshields. On-site they ordered the OEM strips and rivets. One week later they called me to confirm the appointment after they received the OEM parts to have the windshield replaced. This shop said there would be no advantage in way of quality by choosing OEM glass and the insurance company would not pay for OEM glass only for OEE glass. At least a $1000 price difference.
Upon picking up the Land Cruiser and inspecting the work the technician told me that it takes one week for the glue to completely cure and not to wash the car during that time frame given the remote possibility the detergents may impact the glue. Again just an upmost precaution I think.
Before going to Safelite, as recommended on this forum I did ask the Toyota dealership which glass company they use and that company confirmed that they too follow the FSM. That local company was solid as well but simply less convenient for my particular circumstances. Overall price was the same.