OEM windshield

[concretejungle]

how can you tell if it's OEM or not? It seems that my windshield may be leaking slightly in the driverside corner. I am just curious if it's stock or a replacement.

Should it say Toyota on it somewhere?

 

[RavenTai]

yes in lower left corner, the original LC glass aslo has the vin etched in, LX's do not

 

[Beowulf]

>> the original LC glass aslo has the vin etched in <<

I learn something new on IH8MUD every day!

-B-

 

[erics_bruisers]

fight the power is safelite or whomever tries to tell you they can't get OEM glass -- they can -- they need to order it from the dealer --

e

 

[concretejungle]

thanks raven. So i assume that the fact i'm not seeing anything etched in the bottome corner either side that it's a replacement windshield. Maybe that's the reason it's leaking a bit.

 

[concretejungle]

DAMN....i went outside to check the glass for the VIN etching, decided to look at the back glass and realize it's leaking a little too! What the heck is going on, front leak and back glass leak!

 

[Doc]

I doubt your window is leaking because the glass isn't OEM. More than likely it's leaking because the installed did a sub-par job on the seal. Apparently the seal is a MAJOR pain.

 

[RavenTai]

thanks raven. So i assume that the fact i'm not seeing anything etched in the bottome corner either side that it's a replacement windshield.

Sounds like it, I should qualify the VIN etching statement I only looked at 96/97 vehicles (both LX and LC), so I am not sure if the earlier ones also had this,

all the LC's I looked at had the vin etched on all the side and rear glass, only a few had the windshield etched with the VIN so I assume that the rest had replacement windshields, all 96/97 LC and LX glass (all sides) has the Toyota name

I recently got a rock in my windshield and it grew to a single L shaped crack about 3' long I am going to need a new one

1. Is there a place to get a good bronzed colored windshield besides the Lexus dealer?

2. Besides giving him a copy of the FSM pages, what do I need to tell the installer to make sure mine is sealed properly? Any tips or tricks?

3. Anybody ever tried installing their own glass? I have excellent mechanical skills but I suspect this has it’s own skill/tool set.

 

[robbie]

over the last four years I have had put in 3 windsheilds and by far the best trouble free fit was orginal toyota. The after market were PPG and some other made in Mexico. Both rattled in the hole. If you can afford it get orginal. They after market installers will glue them in and give you a good leak warranty, but after wheeling the truck it will rattle loose. Just my experence. Yes the rubber seal can create them some problem but only if it has been glued in before or replaced with a after market seal. My next one I have inssurance again and will ask for toyota orginal. You should be able to get it through any local glass replacement by asking them for a quote to install toyota orginal, I have done it once.
Also the earlier years do not have the vin etched in the glass, I do not know what year this started either in 95 or96. later robbie

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Raven:

Tell them to follow the FSM to the letter - primer inside and out and glue on both sides (watch them if you can). If they miss the 'glue the outside' step, it will leak. There may be a full toyota 'glue kit' (primer, glue, etc) - I think the autobody shop charged me for this

My sense is that a self-install isn't worth it. There seem to be a few specialized tools that you would have to buy, plus the glue kit etc. With the installer, you always have someone to go back to to fix the leak.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[cruiserdan]

VIN etch is NOT a factory deal. Dealers sell it after-the-fact in the same manner that paint sealants and fabric protection are.

 

[RavenTai]

VIN etch is NOT a factory deal. Dealers sell it after-the-fact in the same manner that paint sealants and fabric protection are.

ahhh I see


Robbie & CC, Thanks for the infom, I'll shop arround and see what I can come up with for a OEM windshield and seal