windshield glass replacement

So what has it been costing you guys?

I've read a fair bit of negative input on safelite (mainly the glass they use) and found a local'ish place (various offices out of SoCal) that had a brand X (pretty sure I heard Fuyao) in stock and a Pilkington in stock. Both were estimated the same and from my quick research the Pilkington is supposedly pretty good. Then again Fuyao is supposedly a BMW supplier now. I donno.

Quote is $285 or something like that (did it over the phone and already foggy on the quote lol). Found another quote online for $258 but the brand of glass is unknown.

I'm pretty happy with that seeing later gens costing upwards of $800. A little bummed as I had 80% tint on the front, will need to do that again as its been great in the SoCal sun (isn't dark, does not attract cops but legit reduces heat in the cabin).

What has been others experiences?

 

I’ve paid $50 deductible on one and also had one done for “free”.

 

My deductible is $1000 lol.

 

My deductible is 1k. However, generally, I have “glass” and full “comprehensive”. It depends.

 

Free glass replacement on my policy, but since windshield is original to the truck, I have been Thinking getting it replaced anyway. 23 years of wear is showing, and i LOVE looking through a new windshield!

 

All the wind shields in my older Toyota`s I had no problems.

Safelite is the recommended of the insurance Companies I deal with here.

I have had no problems with Safelite but for my brand New Ford 550 the left window needed to be ordered through Ford..

The fact they come to my location makes things easier.

I think I paid $100.00 deductible with my Company card for each one.

 

yall should move to FL
well when i was a car estimator 10yrs ago......FL has/had a rule that if your w/s had crack(non rprable)
ins comp HAD to replace for free zero deductible because of safety.......of course, the insured has to have COMP/COLL coverage.

as far as glass
my vendor here in Houston quotes 2 prices
chinese made glass $
mexico made glass $$ maybe $40-$60 more not too much

there is no such thing as OEM glass
manufacturer's dont make/produce glass....they hire a sublet vendor and vendor puts a mercedes emblem/ford logo/jeep shape on the glass for said manufacturer.

safelite is the most expensive glass comp out there if paying out of pocket

 

Just checked in with my insurance, I'd be stuck with the $1K deductible. Repair (crack sealer) is free, but replacement, I have to cover the deductible. Not bummed, the 1st gen replacement isn't that much, probably far less than what I'd have paid over the years for a much smaller deductible.

That was a small part of why I'm replacing. Obviously big part is two cracks that have grown hugely in the summer heat, but what really got me going was driving into a sunset and my original 290K miles windshield looks like its been sandblasted and visibility was trash even though its clean.

 

Timely post, I just got a rock to the front window on Saturday.... First time I will be replacing my 99 Taco windshield.

Thanks for the info and current costs of Gen 1 front windows.

 

for most cost effective RR of windshield/glass
go to a reputable body shop
they always have a mobile vendor on speed dial to remove and install glass(for proper clear coat application)
I.E. quarter panel glass/back glass
crappy shops just tape over and spray paint/clr coat

just ask for their glass guy's number
yes, will likely be a guy working out of his truck, but is most cost effective
AND you dont run risk of ins comp jacking up your rates

my neighbor's daughters car got broken into
he didnt want his ins comp involved
he got a quote from safelite for rear door glass for $380 installed.....and had to go to safelite location for installation
i gave him my glass guy's number
$145 installed at his house

 

I've found that AllStar Glass in my area (Poway-Scripps Ranch) has been very good, they replaced a windshield on my 79 Bus and 06 Tacoma at a very fair price.

 

this is my cracked windshield
bc of this thread i made the call to Ivan one of my shop's glass guy
$175 installed includes universal molding(BTW im pretty sure OEM mldng will be discontinued)
saved a little bc cowl and wipers removed
will come to my house for installation....needs access to interior

he's in Houston TX PM me if someone needs his number

 

i want to say
if your windshield has heads up display/vehicle prox sensor/wiper heater strips/electronics that need to be calibrated
this is nowhere near the correct pricing. Ivan prob wouldn't even quote a price.

of course i own ole ass 1996/1998/2001 vehicles

 

Welp I went with a place that had my city name in their URL. Guy came out in a truck and made quick work of it. Deff universal trim around the edges as its wider/interferes with the snorkel bracket.

I need to get some new 3M double sided tape to remount my dash cam. But seems like a good job. Deff looks new haha.

 

The problem with the windshields these days is quality control....

Unfortunately these have become like the radiators from newer suppliers...
It might take several to get a good one...

So I'd go the route that you choose who can best inspect that when they get into their grubby little hands....

And yep it took two before I got one without flaws......I'm glad the glass shop was on their toes....
the extra half day was well worth it.....

A windshield shop will get the correct trim for your model......they dont have the time to dick with getting a square peg in a round hole....

and they're gonna have to warrant thousands of em a year.....they wont take chances...

 

I've had 2 windshields replaced on my 02 Tacoma. One was right around $200 (maybe 15 yrs ago), that was a "Toyota" OE windshield. The other was included in the total cost of some rust repair that was necessary because of that first replacement. I don't think it was more than $200, and it is Benson brand I think. Neither used the OEM molding. My auto insurance does not have any special glass coverage, it would require paying the full deductible.

I have not had good experiences with windshield replacements. That first time was at a shop that services many of the dealerships but clearly they did a bad job since rust appeared after only a couple years. The next windshield was installed at the body shop, after rust repair and paint, by the guy who took over the first glass shop, and does installs for several body shops and dealerships. Initially there was a slight air leak, they fixed it, but also the glass was set in to far so the A pillar trim rubs on it. Not sure who is to blame but after the paint and windshield replacement I have a nasty dash rattle. Never had the dash rattle in all the years prior to that.

 

Yeah the toyota's can get the dash buzz......

center of dash sits on a metal plate right where the defrost vents are...

(112) Easy Fix for Toyota Tacoma Dash Rattle (Any Year) - YouTube

 

Yeah, I've been aware of the tacoma dash rattle for 20 years lol. They had a TSB fix as well as some other "fixes" on the forums. My point was that my 02 never experienced the dash rattle until the day I picked it up from the body shop where they did the paint and windshield replacement. So either the body shop guys did something or it was related to the windshield placement.

I never saw that video but actually tried the technique used in that video....it didn't work for me.

 

Sorry I did not get to you in time, but this may help someone save $: When replacing my windshield my local glass shop discounted tinting the new one because it could be done before the windshield is installed. This apparently saves some labor/time/cost. My windshield tint is a very dark "eyebrow" only.

 

Replaced mine in 2018 with an aftermarket, guy drove out to my work and installed it on site. Cost under $200. It's not OEM and you can see the difference but it's a windshield and it works.