Windshield Conspiracies

[Irish Reiver]

During the covid summer in 2020, I thought it would nice to refresh the glass in my '94 which was starting to show its age. It was stamped with Toyota and I assume it was original. I paid something like $400 for a replacement from Safelight which I fitted myself. The new windshield didn't last 1 month before it had a foot long crack in it. I had just sold that truck so had to pony up the cash for replacement #2. This one sustained a chip less than a day later but luckily it was on the passenger side and down low and hard to notice.
Last year I helped a buddy with a '96 refit his windshield because the safelight guys refused to do the sealer on the gasket. Less than a month later we were doing it again following a stonechip that resulted in a full height crack. He messaged me earlier this week to say that the new windshield had also succumbed to a stonechip which evolved into a large crack within minutes.

Now, either I can't fit a windshield or the glass Safelight supplied is sh!te. I am sure I read somewhere that the glass in a land cruiser was thicker than regular windshields but I have no idea if that was A) True or B) applicable to the 80 Series. In any case according to Ourisman 56111-60070 is no longer available. Am I wrong about Safelight and if so are there other glass manufacturers that sell a reputable product? I really don't want to had over some hard earned cash for a poor quality product.

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[suzuguru]

Better to go to a local glass shop. Safelite is way overpriced.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

F safelight. They quoted me $1400.00 to replace a rear sliding glass. A local shop ordered one on ebay and installed it for $220.00 out the door.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I had a new windshield get a stone chip within a week of replacement.
I used a tiny 3/16 diamond core hole drill to drill a hole at the very end of the crack, through to the laminate layer.
The windshield lasted for the next 7-8 years.

 

[mrsleeve]

F safelight. They quoted me $1400.00 to replace a rear sliding glass. A local shop ordered one on ebay and installed it for $220.00 out the door.

Agree they quoted me 1850+ tax for an oem tundra windshield. Got a local place to do it for 1000 less

 

[Irish Reiver]

The price from Safelight isn't really the issue. I could even get it replaced for 'free' by my insurance but I just don't want poor quality glass. I haven't been able to find any local suppliers. Its like safelight have the market wrapped up.
If all windshields are the same then I may as well get what safelight have but I suspect like everything else there are better quality products out there.

 

[cahill]

I only have anecdotal evidence but had a few more cracks with aftermarket glass. I was able to find an oem piece before they became unobtainable and it has been holding up well for the past r 4 or so years. There are some threads on here that discuss aftermarket glass options and discussion That some may be better than others. Not sure the better manufacturers are still making glass or if they are of the same quality as before. Maybe someone with some inside knowledge will chime in.

 

[BILT4ME]

The price from Safelight isn't really the issue. I could even get it replaced for 'free' by my insurance but I just don't want poor quality glass. I haven't been able to find any local suppliers. Its like safelight have the market wrapped up.
If all windshields are the same then I may as well get what safelight have but I suspect like everything else there are better quality products out there.

There are a number.of windshield threads in the 80 section and they discuss the different brands, who own what now, and who not yo use.

I found a local place that was recommended by another mud member. When I called and explained what I was looking for, they thought I was too much hassle and never called me back. When I called them again, they told me it was to much work and they felt they didn't want to work on a 28 year old truck.

So, I've been bagging on them at every corner.

I have yet to find someone to do a quality replacement.

 

[Kernal]

Been discussed before so repeating myself, i called around to my local Toyota and Mercedes dealers and asked who they used to install glass then took my 80 to that independant shop. Also took a copy of the Factory instructions on correct windshield installation for the 80 Series.

If Safelite is not using the correct adhesive-sealant that's a major liability.

Also last time this topic came up seemed like no one had any windshield replacement glass available. Much of the market is controlled by either mainland chynuh or a chynuh billionaire who's bought up glass factories around the world, including in the US.

 

[thatcabledude]

Safelite did the windshield (followed FSM) on my 94 and it has been problem free install and cracking wise for 3 years. I paid out of pocket and IIRC it was $600 something

Of course I had a quarter sized rock hit it within the first year. It’s a bad chip, but did it not spread.

 

[duece71]

What about a pick and pull/junk yard for glass? Doesnt solve the issue of install however.

 

[BILT4ME]

What about a pick and pull/junk yard for glass? Doesnt solve the issue of install however.

I would be reluctant for all that work.

My windshield is so rock and sand pitted I'd hate to get another like that.

 

[Irish Reiver]

What about a pick and pull/junk yard for glass? Doesnt solve the issue of install however.

I'm not too concerned about the install and I'm fairly confident that my install process isn't the cause of the short lifespan of the new glass. The pick and pulls in my area store the 80 series next to the hens teeth.

 

[ikarus]

Has anyone tried a windshield protection film similar to PPF? I’ve only heard of it on exotics that are spending 15k at the detail shop.. but if you were confident that your 80 windshield was installed properly I wonder if it would be nice to add that to extend the lifespan of the glass

 

[Irish Reiver]

Got busy on the phone this morning and called a few of the windshield replacement shops. None of them were able to give me any decent info on where they source their glass from. On the other hand they all wanted to pay me so they could change the glass. Clearly there is an insurance scam involving this activity.

 

[COYS]

Has anyone tried a windshield protection film similar to PPF? I’ve only heard of it on exotics that are spending 15k at the detail shop.. but if you were confident that your 80 windshield was installed properly I wonder if it would be nice to add that to extend the lifespan of the glass

I use clearplex (optically clear plastic) on all my cars including the 80. I nabbed one of the last oem windshields and immediately clearplexed it. Going 4 years strong now.

You need to reapply the clearplex film with new every 3-4 years depending on use. If you live in a rainy climate and you drive your 80 like a daily, may not be as practical as a socal car since it may wear faster due to frequent wiper use.

In LA, I use 405 Motoring to do the job. Good shop and charged me ~$600 iirc.

 

[PolarRunner]

Just so people are aware, there are approximately 5-6 major glass manufacturers that supply all automotive glass (not unlike the 12v battery industry). This goes for auto manufacturers as well. OEM glass is barely different from aftermarket, usually only having the MFR symbol silk screened on the glass. The OEMs can be a bit more even, if you will, the two sheets being lined up better than aftermarket. On modern cars with forward collision/lane departure etc systems, the OEM glass typically has a better camera bracket also includes pre-installed molding(s), set pins and lots and lots of extra packaging to keep it safe in transit.

Most likely, the original glass manufacturer that produced the LC windshield and likely the other glass as well, was bought up long ago by one of the bigger companies.

PGW, Pilkington, Fuyao & AGC are the ones that come to mind off the cuff. I think there are a couple more. For Fuyao, they make glass in USA, China and Mexico - I am unaware of any other factory locations.

Edit: FWIW Safelite used to sell glass, but they never manufactured it, they would just buy from the factories and resell to competitors.

Edit 2: 'Inside baseball': I have heard that new windshields are not nearly as robust as many of the older ones used to be. No idea on when this change occurred but the general consensus is new windshields are far inferior to their predecessors.

 

[baldilocks]

I'm not too concerned about the install and I'm fairly confident that my install process isn't the cause of the short lifespan of the new glass. The pick and pulls in my area store the 80 series next to the hens teeth.

Safelite out of Vancouver, WA had to do my windshield a second to get it right. The first time they sent a youngster who was born after glued to body glass was the thing. He failed to pull the gasket inside fully at the lower corners. I called back and requested an old, crusty installer and he showed up with the youngster that didn’t do it right the first time. No problems after that.

As far as Safelite refusing to follow the sealant instructions in the FSM, that’s obstinance unique to individual shops in my experience.

 

[alia176]

Just so people are aware, there are approximately 5-6 major glass manufacturers that supply all automotive glass (not unlike the 12v battery industry). This goes for auto manufacturers as well. OEM glass is barely different from aftermarket, usually only having the MFR symbol silk screened on the glass. The OEMs can be a bit more even, if you will, the two sheets being lined up better than aftermarket. On modern cars with forward collision/lane departure etc systems, the OEM glass typically has a better camera bracket also includes pre-installed molding(s), set pins and lots and lots of extra packaging to keep it safe in transit.

Most likely, the original glass manufacturer that produced the LC windshield and likely the other glass as well, was bought up long ago by one of the bigger companies.

PGW, Pilkington, Fuyao & AGC are the ones that come to mind off the cuff. I think there are a couple more. For Fuyao, they make glass in USA, China and Mexico - I am unaware of any other factory locations.

Edit: FWIW Safelite used to sell glass, but they never manufactured it, they would just buy from the factories and resell to competitors.

Edit 2: 'Inside baseball': I have heard that new windshields are not nearly as robust as many of the older ones used to be. No idea on when this change occurred but the general consensus is new windshields are far inferior to their predecessors.

You made some great points. I have a Fuyao in the 80 and the old Benz. Apparently Fuyao has bought up several glass companies in the USA. PGW is still being sold, as well as Pinkerton but not every installer can/want to get them for you. My GF just had her GX460 windshield replaced with a another PGW. I wonder if I can find a PGW to replace the previous PGW on my 4runner .

 

[mudgudgeon]

As far as Safelite refusing to follow the sealant instructions in the FSM, that’s obstinance unique to individual shops in my experience.

Not unique to any trade.

Imagine a plumber coming to a house to install a new toilet, or an electrician to fit a new light fixture and the home owner telling them how to put it together.

Lots of blokes will be off side and defensive from right there onward.