FJ40 - Driving at night with flat glass

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GA Architect

GA Architect

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Being that I drive my 40 to work as much as possible, sometimes when I leave my office it is dark. Not to mention, when I arrive at my office it is usually before sun-up as well. Due to all the flat panels of glass, which is every one of them except for the rear two corner pieces, light bounces all over the place along with glares & odd placed reflections. I take it this is inherent of the beloved FJ40 Land Cruiser, and we all just live with it.

Question: If one decided to have window tint installed, would this cut down on all the additional light reflections & refractions?
 
Back in the early 80's I bought my first 40. It was a 78. One of the first things I did was tint the windows. Big mistake. The glare at night was way worse after I installed the tint. Just my experience thru my eyes.

Tom
 
With early stage cataracts, I only drive at night, way out in the Big Empty, so I don't notice additional glare due to my window tint - there are no lights out there to glare...

But, I can tell you, it took a few drives for me to overcome the 'mirror appearance' that the tint presents in daytime - the first time I noticed it, it was disorienting - I had a bit of trouble figuring out just where the cars were at intersections.

But, after driving it for a few days, I no longer notice the reflections - apparently my old brain filters them out.

I can certainly see night time glare being quite problematic...

The fact that I don't have to drive, in traffic at night, and the cooling abilities of the tint, in the Nevada desert, definitely makes the tint worthwhile for me.

If you are going to have your windows tinted, you should find out if there is a different type of tint that will cut down on the glare. I opted for the most efficient tint I could find - eliminates 90% of UV light and only allows about 10% heat gain.
 
Can't comment on tint, but I for sure have noticed its tough to drive the cruiser at night. Fine I'm I'm alone, but cars coming head on blind the hell out of me. WAY worse then normal cars. I suspect the flat glass doesn't deflect any light away like curved windshields do. I don't know.. no proof.. just my speculating. I find as I am getting older, I am having a tough time seeing at night while driving. I'm only 29, I can't imagine how crappy my night vision will be in another 30 years.
 
Well , I'm 50 , going blind albeit very slowly so far and yes the reflections are definitely there . That said , try raising the seat position or try a pillow - since I moved my seat it doesn't seem to be as noticeable at night . There are some films I believe are made to cut glare and reflections - might want to look into it .
Sarge
 
pngunme said:
With early stage cataracts, I only drive at night, way out in the Big Empty, so I don't notice additional glare due to my window tint - there are no lights out there to glare...

But, I can tell you, it took a few drives for me to overcome the 'mirror appearance' that the tint presents in daytime - the first time I noticed it, it was disorienting - I had a bit of trouble figuring out just where the cars were at intersections.

But, after driving it for a few days, I no longer notice the reflections - apparently my old brain filters them out.

I can certainly see night time glare being quite problematic...

The fact that I don't have to drive, in traffic at night, and the cooling abilities of the tint, in the Nevada desert, definitely makes the tint worthwhile for me.

If you are going to have your windows tinted, you should find out if there is a different type of tint that will cut down on the glare. I opted for the most efficient tint I could find - eliminates 90% of UV light and only allows about 10% heat gain.
Click to expand...
man, I just went through the cataract thing-I was almost (almost) able to get rid of my glasses. I can tell you, when that happens-it happens slowly--the depth perception went out first for me. Fortunately, no fender-benders, but some close calls. I had the reflection problem too, but now it seems to have disappeared after the cataract replacement. Don't have any tint on the windows, but it might be an improvement---then again I noticed a lot of reduced glare and stuff if I just quite washing the windows(ha)
 
just wondering if they have threads over on the honda forum about how they're getting old, broken and can't see at night anymore?
ok carry on.
 
Take off the top and doors and put the windshield down.

ALCFHLS-S_driver_1.jpg
 
I have been getting lots of glare... But... My reason is my glasses... They are lightly scratched to the point the antiglare has rubbed off

I got prescription sunglasses for daytime and they are in great shape... Need to get new everyday ones :(
 
It definitely took me several weeks of night driving to get used to seeing reflections of cars on my right, that were actually on my left. Kind of scary at first. It's the price we pay for our cool rides.
 
DougAustinTx said:
It definitely took me several weeks of night driving to get used to seeing reflections of cars on my right, that were actually on my left. Kind of scary at first. It's the price we pay for our cool rides.
Click to expand...

Kool.....Glad to know I'm not going "SENILE" just yet! It isn't the on-coming traffic, it is the lights coming thru the side windows that glare and refract off the other.
 
My 40 is my daily driver and I do a lot of day and night driving. I live in Atlanta so there's definitely a lot of cars on the road at all hours and I can honestly say I've never noticed a glare, but I do where glasses with antiglare and anti reflection so maybe that has something to do with it. Just my opinion. Also I don't think a 40 would look good with tint.
 
@Fast Eddy just thinking out loud - 10 years... maybe it's time to quit blaming the PO... They probably got their money's worth outta the tint.

And there are probably better products nowadays...
 
I've had similar issues with glare as well..
I know your gonna think I'm stupid, but I kinda stumbled on this by accident.
I had a tough time getting the wipers to clean well.So I did new blades and finally ended up cleaning the windshield and not only did it help with getting the wipers to clean well, but it also helped with the glare a bit as well.

Pretty simple :

Just used Bon-Ami cleanser and newspaper.
I'm sure some of you have used this in the past ( us old farts )...
Wet the windshield, sprinkle some Bon-Ami on it.
Take a sheet of newspaper and fold it into a square about the size of your hand and start scrubbing.
Using a small circle motion and you will feel it get smoother.
Rinse it off really well and your good to go.
You'll see and feel the difference.

PS DON'T use regular cleanser ( Comet ).It will scratch the glass . Bon-Ami will not scratch..
Hope this helps
 
djcfj40 said:
I've had similar issues with glare as well..
I know your gonna think I'm stupid, but I kinda stumbled on this by accident.
I had a tough time getting the wipers to clean well.So I did new blades and finally ended up cleaning the windshield and not only did it help with getting the wipers to clean well, but it also helped with the glare a bit as well.

Pretty simple :

Just used Bon-Ami cleanser and newspaper.
I'm sure some of you have used this in the past ( us old farts )...
Wet the windshield, sprinkle some Bon-Ami on it.
Take a sheet of newspaper and fold it into a square about the size of your hand and start scrubbing.
Using a small circle motion and you will feel it get smoother.
Rinse it off really well and your good to go.
You'll see and feel the difference.

PS DON'T use regular cleanser ( Comet ).It will scratch the glass . Bon-Ami will not scratch..
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Interesting you mentioned about news paper. I used to clean the windows of my '79 RX-7 with news paper because it wouldn't streak or leave lint behind. It was odd to work with, but did a heck of a job!

However, the glare really isn't from the windshield, it is mainly from the door glass. I've gotten used to it now, but I didn't know if some sort of tint would help........I'll have to get some Bon-Ami and give it a try on cleaning the windshields.
 
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