I posting this to both vent and to see if any other Mudders have had similar issues getting your Hundy's windshields replaced.
Okay, so we all know that this isn't exactly a "standard" windshield replacement, but it's not much different from a Camry, which has got to be one of the most standard windshield replacements out there. My 2000 has its original windshield--a Toyota Temperlite Asahi--secured with rivets as it came from the factory. Its never been out, and it is cracked along the whole bottom.
I called six different glass shops in St. Louis that were recommended me by either Toyota dealerships, Toyota independent mechanics, or body shops that specialize in Toyota. Of the six, five flat out told me that they wouldn't do the job because (1) I was wrong, and the windshield was not original, and there is no way that a 21 year old truck has its original windshield; (2) all the Land Cruisers have f-ed up, rusty sheetmetal under the windshields because of botched past replacements; and (3) I'm guaranteed a minumum of $1500 to $2000 of body work in order to get the windshield replaced. This was over the phone, without ever having seen the truck.
I guess with COVID, they all have so much business that they can categorically turn down work and insult customers? IDK...
In fact, the guy who's going to do it was recommended me by the independent mechanic I use, and he initially said "no way" until I explained that it was the original windshield. He agreed that, if the original windshield is in there, its no problem and that if the windshield that's in there now is Toyota glass, it is almost certainly original. But he also said he "couldn't be sure until he had it in the shop, and its a two-day job in the shop to replace, regardless." About $500 with aftermarket glass.
I realize that this is a low-volume vehicle, but its not some super-rare, super exotic. I just don't understand why its so damn hard to get it done.
Okay, so we all know that this isn't exactly a "standard" windshield replacement, but it's not much different from a Camry, which has got to be one of the most standard windshield replacements out there. My 2000 has its original windshield--a Toyota Temperlite Asahi--secured with rivets as it came from the factory. Its never been out, and it is cracked along the whole bottom.
I called six different glass shops in St. Louis that were recommended me by either Toyota dealerships, Toyota independent mechanics, or body shops that specialize in Toyota. Of the six, five flat out told me that they wouldn't do the job because (1) I was wrong, and the windshield was not original, and there is no way that a 21 year old truck has its original windshield; (2) all the Land Cruisers have f-ed up, rusty sheetmetal under the windshields because of botched past replacements; and (3) I'm guaranteed a minumum of $1500 to $2000 of body work in order to get the windshield replaced. This was over the phone, without ever having seen the truck.
I guess with COVID, they all have so much business that they can categorically turn down work and insult customers? IDK...
In fact, the guy who's going to do it was recommended me by the independent mechanic I use, and he initially said "no way" until I explained that it was the original windshield. He agreed that, if the original windshield is in there, its no problem and that if the windshield that's in there now is Toyota glass, it is almost certainly original. But he also said he "couldn't be sure until he had it in the shop, and its a two-day job in the shop to replace, regardless." About $500 with aftermarket glass.
I realize that this is a low-volume vehicle, but its not some super-rare, super exotic. I just don't understand why its so damn hard to get it done.