Tired of replacing windshields...

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The 200 windshields are tricky. When they come from the factory there are spacers to bring the glass out for a tight fit to the surrounding gasket. My installation guys said they don't use the spacers, they fill the gap with extra material that they use to seal it. I think this is the source of many poor aftermarket installations, I speak from experience, my problem was the wind noise. Find someone who knows and understands how it's done at the factory, spacers! Hope you get results somehow.
 
Bendcruiser said:
The 200 windshields are tricky. When they come from the factory there are spacers to bring the glass out for a tight fit to the surrounding gasket. My installation guys said they don't use the spacers, they fill the gap with extra material that they use to seal it. I think this is the source of many poor aftermarket installations, I speak from experience, my problem was the wind noise. Find someone who knows and understands how it's done at the factory, spacers! Hope you get results somehow.
Click to expand...

Is that whats on my driver side in my photo?
 
AnyMal said:
Is that whats on my driver side in my photo?
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I don't think so. The spacers are behind the glass in the frame and I'm not sure how many there are.
 
There are two and IIRC they only go on the body side of the panel, at the bottom.

My glass guy is as good as it gets without sending it back to Japan, and he didn’t use the spacers. He had the experience and attention to detail to make them redundant.. I even provided them and they weren’t used.

Point is, it’s ALL about the skill level and experience of the installer.
 
Verdict is in: impact damage both times.

If you look at my second photo and follow the crack, you can kinda/sorta spot the impact spot underneath the dusting of snow. My mistake for not clearing that off when looking at it initially.

Insurance adjustor also pulled up photos of my last windshield replacement and confirmed the same damage in nearly the same spot. This black stripe of the windshield is called the "frit" area, and both my impacts were in it, near the VIN. Very strange, to say the least.

Will be replacing the windshield in the next few weeks. Should this happen again, I'll be putting up cameras.

--

Has anyone heard of/seen products that can be applied to the windshield to minimize chance of cracks/damage? Like... a screen protector of sorts? Any other ideas? Rock deflectors on the hood?
 
bloc said:
There are two and IIRC they only go on the body side of the panel, at the bottom.

My glass guy is as good as it gets without sending it back to Japan, and he didn’t use the spacers. He had the experience and attention to detail to make them redundant.. I even provided them and they weren’t used.

Point is, it’s ALL about the skill level and experience of the installer.
Click to expand...
Is this your guy?

Been trying to get in his schedule for several months. I think there is a shortage of 200 series glass out there. If that’s not your guy, I’d be happy to get your guy’s contact info :)
 
daneo said:
Is this your guy?

Been trying to get in his schedule for several months. I think there is a shortage of 200 series glass out there. If that’s not your guy, I’d be happy to get your guy’s contact info :)
Click to expand...

That’s not him but I fully planned to drive up to DFW to use vdkar until my guy was recommended by berli’s.

It’s Noah from Calibrated Glass, and they don’t have much of a web presence. I’ll PM you his number.. posting publicly seems like an invite to spam him.
 
Bendcruiser said:
The 200 windshields are tricky. When they come from the factory there are spacers to bring the glass out for a tight fit to the surrounding gasket. My installation guys said they don't use the spacers, they fill the gap with extra material that they use to seal it. I think this is the source of many poor aftermarket installations, I speak from experience, my problem was the wind noise. Find someone who knows and understands how it's done at the factory, spacers! Hope you get results somehow.
Click to expand...

Can anyone explain the spacers to me? Part numbers?

"Stoppers" in this list? Windshield installation parts for a 2020 lc200. - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/windshield-installation-parts-for-a-2020-lc200.1357138/#post-15956057

They look like this - and they go at the top of the windshield (not sure how attached).

1768958694100.webp
1768958713315.webp


EDIT:

I think what is being referred to as "spacer" is the above but also this: "DAM, WINDSHIELD GLASS ADHESIVE", part # 5611760100. It is self-adheres to the windsheild, and the urethane bead actually goes around it. A shop I called re replacing the windshield mentioned this part, so that bodes well... but they did not mention the "stopper" parts above.

1768958493019.webp
 
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Back in the 1980's / early 90's I used to drive round trip from Alaska to Seattle multiple times a year in my FJ60. This was at a time of massive road improvements and there were huge stones, iron bolts, you name it getting thrown up from the road. I had a plexiglass windshield cover that was easily installed to protect my windshield from rock and contruction debris. Now, they have some sort of film that can be used that seems to work.
 
stonepa said:
Back in the 1980's / early 90's I used to drive round trip from Alaska to Seattle multiple times a year in my FJ60. This was at a time of massive road improvements and there were huge stones, iron bolts, you name it getting thrown up from the road. I had a plexiglass windshield cover that was easily installed to protect my windshield from rock and contruction debris. Now, they have some sort of film that can be used that seems to work.
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I saw this advertised in a tint shop I was considering. I don't know that it'd work quite as well as your plexi, but can say it would likely help vs the standard nothing. My newest windshield has small chips/pits in it and I'm just going to let it ride until one spiderwebs.
 
Here, from the 300 forum, I posted my experience there. It is called XPEL Windshield Protection - similar to the PPF. 1000% recommended.

LordExplorer

Thread 'PPF decision'

I received notice today that my 2 row Earth LX7 will be arriving in the next two weeks so starting to plan out my overland build. First thing I’ll be doing is tint and PPF (full). I’m trying to decide if I should do satin PPF. I saw Dissent’s build at the expo and I was surprised by how much I liked the satin PPF on it. It looks killer. However, I’ve only briefly seen the Earth color in person and it was overcast out.

For those with Earth, what are your thoughts on the metallic flakes in the paint and overall look in various lighting? Do you think it’s a more dynamic color that shouldn’t...
 
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