2015 Update: Windshield Options

[Flank]

For now, I've learned to "live" with the leak. Went to Binswanger glass here in DFW about a year an a half ago. New PPG with Toyota gasket, they agreed to use FSM procedures, including removing cowl. Originally, they wanted to reuse the gasket.
Instal done, leaked after rain. 1.5 hour revisit, leaked again after rain. Third trip, leaked.

Now we are a year down the road, and they ordered a new PPG and new Toyota gasket at their expense... Said they used provided FSM Instructions. Leaked again next rain, but I can visually see the gasket alignment is off this time. 5th trip to glass shop... they check it out, then refund my original purchase price. Huh.

For now, don't have it in me to take the flogging anymore.

 

[iptman]

That's what scares me about replacing mine since it is the original windshield. I have one spot crack and one that's started to spider about 6 inches.

 

[Rwhat]

Mine is original, but the glass is all San blasted from the PO living in tahoe. Hard to see at dusk or early morning.

 

[Flank]

That's what scares me about replacing mine since it is the original windshield. I have one spot crack and one that's started to spider about 6 inches.

Yeah, I could not go without. It is my company vehicle with logo and all, and it looked ghetto with about 4 cracks - one going all the way across. It really sucks when you are spending money on a fix you are fairly certain will fail...

 

[djsixbillion]

Did you have the dealer install it too or did you just get the windshield from them?

No, had a local shop do the install, and I provided them with the FSM instructions.

 

[Mousetails]

June 2016
Thought I would add some updated info to this thread. Went outside on Wednesday and there was a large 18 inch wavy crack in drivers side windshield on the LX. No impact, it was in my driveway and crack originates from roof edge. UGH. After some googling of the windshield markings, it appears I have a Safelite windshield, bronze tint, marked SGC (Safelite Glass Company?, definitely not original, which was news to me).

After much reading here (thanks IH8MUD), started making some calls. I am in Milwaukee.

First place, a local chain, outright refused to even quote it, since they have had too my problems with "that particular vehicle". OK.

Second local, well regarded place seemed knowledgable. Talked about glass options and he determined that bronze tint no available from anyone at this time, and I would have to go with Blue. PPG, Pinkington and Safelite glass not available any longer. Had a Blue tint PPG in warehouse. I talked about needing to glue it in, no problem. Went over today and of course everything changed. No need to glue it. Emphatic that it never was glued. I pulled out manual, still not convinced, not willing to glue it. I chose to walk away.

So, third try. I scheduled appointment online with Safelite, and then called local store to discuss. I felt like I stepped into a different world customer service wise. Person I talked to was familiar with the Land Cruisers and immediately made note to send out a "more seasoned" tech. I told them I would supply OEM gasket and it would need to be glued per the FSM. No problem and noted on the order. As for the glass, they confirmed bronze no longer available, but they still have a few sitting in warehouses around country. So, I have a bronze one coming to Milwaukee from Minnesota for my appointment.

We will see how it goes next week. Installer is coming to my home. I ordered gasket from Camelback Toyota (first order with them) and hopefully it arrives early next week.

Will report back after the install.

 

[madisonr34]

I replaced my cracked windshield 3 months ago here in sacramento at Capital city Auto Glass. Here is what the glass guy told me:

The Fj80/Fzj80 windshield is not glued in. There is a gasket. And the whole thing is held in place by pressure or something like that. He said its a difficult install if because of the gasket system. I paid around $350.

No blue tape or anything. He said once the gasket and windshield is installed, I can wash the car or turn up the bass on the stereo with no worries or waiting with no risk of it leaking.

 

[solidfrontaxle]

I replaced my cracked windshield 3 months ago here in sacramento at Capital city Auto Glass. Here is what the glass guy told me:

The Fj80/Fzj80 windshield is not glued in. There is a gasket. And the whole thing is held in place by pressure or something like that. He said its a difficult install if because of the gasket system. I paid around $350.

No blue tape or anything. He said once the gasket and windshield is installed, I can wash the car or turn up the bass on the stereo with no worries or waiting with no risk of it leaking.

That's what they all will try to tell you. Hence this and other windshield threads. Hope it doesn't rain much there.

 

[cruiserdan]

I replaced my cracked windshield 3 months ago here in sacramento at Capital city Auto Glass. Here is what the glass guy told me:

The Fj80/Fzj80 windshield is not glued in. There is a gasket. And the whole thing is held in place by pressure or something like that. He said its a difficult install if because of the gasket system.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. The factory installation procedure REQUIRES the glass to be glued into the weather-strip and the weather-strip be glued into the body.

 

[Kernal]

^^^This^^^. If the installer doesn't use an adhesive-sealant in the correct manner the windshield will leak but also the windshield may not be retained in the event of an accident.

 

[madisonr34]

Ok. I'm definitely taking my windshield back this week and getting a refund. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[inkpot]

Don't most states have mandatory glass coverage built into all auto policies? Arizona sure does. Windshield replacement is basically free! My insurance agent told me that the average lifespan is around 5 years. I have had 2 done in 6 years and I am very close to #3.
FREE!!!!

 

[JCruse]

I havent had mine replaced (the PO did though) but I did have it pulled not long ago to fix some rust. The body shop sourced a thicker and wider gasket when putting the glass back in. It's a good 30% wider and almost the same in thickness. Looks near bulletproof compared to the old one. Between the epoxy primer and this, it should keep away any future rust until after I'm dead. LOL

 

[gray rider]

Lots of good discussion here. My glass has a long curved crack on driver's side. Time to replace. Or may sell her as is.....

But I have a question: Does anyone actually use a dealer for a qualified replacement???

 

[Kaninja]

Wow am I glad I found this thread. My windshield has 3 cracks now. A speedbump caused one to grow by about 10" today right across my field of view. PO had problems as noted by the heavy use of silicone around outside of windshield. No leaks now but I will be sure I make specific instructions on the work order for whatever shop does the work. That way if they "know better" than the FSM and do it "their way" and not glue the seal to the frame AND glass they are on the hook. Anyone know a reputable glass shop in the Vancouver area?

 

[iptman]

Lots of good discussion here. My glass has a long curved crack on driver's side. Time to replace. Or may sell her as is.....

But I have a question: Does anyone actually use a dealer for a qualified replacement???

Dealer/OEM glass is pretty spendy. Around $400 if I recall. Then you have to pay someone to put it in. I still might go that way when I replace mine though after all the horror stories I've read on here regarding cheap Chinese glass.

 

[scottryana]

You can more than double that price for OEM glass nowadays.

Dealer/OEM glass is pretty spendy. Around $400 if I recall. Then you have to pay someone to put it in. I still might go that way when I replace mine though after all the horror stories I've read on here regarding cheap Chinese glass.

 

[MoustacheMike]

You can more than double that price for OEM glass nowadays.

Agreed, I recently had the windshield on my LX replaced and it was around $1,100 for OEM glass if ordered through dealership or windshield repair shop. Granted I could likely order it myself for cheaper assuming it's actually in stock, but my insurance company told me they wouldn't cover the costs (neither full cost, nor the difference) of the OEM windshield.

So the shop ordered & installed a aftermarket Chinese windshield brand (bronze with shade strip), but they did use an OEM gasket and did the install as instructed in the FSM (double glued) without any fuss or drama.


** It was the 4th shop I went to, the other 3 shops (which include safelite & Jn Phillips ) were unprofessional and dishonest **

 

[mod5csi]

Hey all. Getting my OEM bronze Lexus windshield installed on Friday.

I've been following and reading amok the stories my installer is prepared to follow my instructions.

However, I find myself second guessing... Myself... the windows gets glued to the gasket, then gets set into the truck, then a bead of urethane adhesive goes around the exterior flap and the body. On all 4 sides of the glass, Correct?

I ask because the FSM only shows the bottom side getting glue the area with the extra flap between the cowl and body. I realize it's hand drawn pictures and inefficient to draw 4 pictures. I just want to make sure I'm not talking this guy wrong.

 

[gray rider]

Not to steal thunder from mod5 above....(*please address his question*).

Today the local dealer said that they don't replace windshields on 80's. Recommended two private contractors. I called one and he sound informed. He said 270 for the replacement. I said that seemed reasonable and what if I brought my own OEM gasket? He said all good. They get gaskets for 60 bucks. I did not quiz him about the procedure, etc, but he did say it was a job that was better done in their shop vs in field as it would take 2 guys to do it adequately................