Looking for some windshield help... (1 Viewer)

[MissouriLC]

Hi, all:

I'm not a club member, but I am hoping someone can help me out with some local-ish advice regarding a 100-series windshield replacement. I posted a rant about this over on the 100-series tech forum awhile back (Windshield replacement... a rant. - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/windshield-replacement-a-rant.1251542/) and I still haven't come to a resolution. Basically, the situation is this...

I'm in the St. Louis area and I need a windshield replacement on my 2000 LC. The cracked windshield is the original Toyota Asahi glass. There are only two (2) installers that I have contacted (out of a total of 8) that are even willing to do the job. The first guy, who comes highly recommended, wouldn't entertain it at first but agreed since it hasn't been replaced in the past. But, he said he wouldn't be able to do it for three to four months because he is busy replacing windshields for dealers selling used cars. So, I feel like he is just trying to get me to buzz off. The second guy said he can do it anytime, but says he will HAVE to replace the rivets on the trim with screws, which I don't want. I'm not real keen on going that route.

There are no real Land Cruiser specialists in STL. I am hoping that someone knows of a good glass shop between here and KC that can do this job and do it correctly. I don't mind paying the premium for a properly-done job, and I don't mind driving to KC to get it done, either. If anyone has any personal recommendations, I would most greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!
Tim

 

[ccasteel]

I just had my LX470 windshield replaced by a local installer. He's a small one man mobile shop. I asked that he install using rivets and he said not problem. I didn't watch the whole time but asked him to call when the glass was out so I could inspect for rust. It was fine so I watched while he installed the new glass. I got nervous as he was putting in the rivets, but it went fine. In hindsight, I would probably buy new trim instead of having him re-use the original.

I think the price was around $300. I had him replace the windshield on my daughters Subaru at the same time. And he did tell me he could do multiple modern windshields in the amount of time it takes to do the LX470. So, yep, I think most installers would rather do something they can turn quickly. I don't remember exactly, but I would say it took around 3 hours.

I would use him again, but the one thing I didn't like was he was a little messy with the sealer. Got some on his hands and put a few fingerprints here or there. They all cleaned up because I saw them before they dried.

 

[RKTINC]

It seems like one of the St Louis metro Toyota dealers would have a body shop or have a certified Toyota body shop. It may cost a bit more but it would be worth a mint to have one done correctly with OEM quality parts. Try the service managers/directors personally a a few stores in the metro and see what they say.

Reliable Toyota / Lexus in Springfield has a long-established Toyota / Lexus body shop. I would think they could do the job correctly.