Windshield replacement

Was wondering if anyone here has replaced their windshield with an actual toyota part windshield on their 2nd Gen, not an aftermarket brand, a rock hit my windshield on the highway yesterday and I'm pissed, any help or advice would be much appreciated, thank you.

 

Changed the glass on my 1st gen years ago with oem glass, I used a window guy, he purchased and picked up the oem glass for me. Dealer was way high on doing the replacement. Might also want to replace the rubber molding too.

 

Yea I'm just so worried about leaks if I don't order actual toyota part

 

Couple of items on this topic.
- I had mine replaced under warranty at the dealership...it started cracking around the rearview mirror about a year after I got it...no issues with the OEM, photo below
- Look into your insurance, most policies have a very generous window replacement, the deductible doesn't apply, and I paid nothing out of pocket. THis was the case about 15 years go on another car, I had the windshield replaced twice at not cost, no ding on your insurance.
- When i had the above replaced, the (chevy) dealer suggested for quicker service I go directly to the windshield place, they told me this glass/windshield wholesaler did 90% of all dealers windshield work in San Antonio. This place accepted my car insurance and it was replaced the same day. Hopefully you can find something similar in your town.

Good Luck

 

You'll have to check your auto insurance regarding glass coverage policy. Most won't cover OEM (entirely) unless aftermarket isn't available (think a brand new car). I don't know your glass coverage, so I can't say anything with certainty, but "most" only cover aftermarket, at the price of your deductible. Of course you can always demand OEM, and pay the difference in price, but its hefty, and honestly completely useless. Your OEM glass and aftermarket Pilkington glass are both gonna be made by Pilkington, and alike in every way - one just gets a fancy Toyota stamp.

Side note, (again not all) "most" dealers outsource their glass installs to people like Safelite anyways, so if you're thinking you're going to get some sort of superior service from a dealer doing the install, thats likely not the case. I'd trust a 20 yr old kid who does 8-12 windshields/day over some service guy at a dealer who may do 1-2 per week (if the dealer even does their own glass work; again, usually unlikely).

Whats your glass coverage policy? If your deductible is high, sometimes self pay is the better option. Can't tell you how many people pay a full $500 deductible for a -$300 job.

 

Any legit windshield replacement will include a new outer gasket, but you will have a choice of the OEM flat style or the aftermarket one that has "wings" that cover the gap that is normally present around the sides.

I would also insist they cut out the old glass adhesive with the string tool, and NOT a knife. I'm sure there's some glass guys who can use the knife and not nick the pinch weld in the process, but why take the risk?

Also the silkscreened brand name on the glass does not mean much these days. The DOT plant code is a better indication of where the glass was made. I'm not sure if the Chinese mfrs have gotten any better, but their glass used to be super wavy and headache-inducing to look through.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/175069-automotive-window-glass-codes.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAd..._psa_any_windshield_installers_please_please/

 

I appreciate all the feed back fellas. I'll definitely look into my insurance.

 

Awesome, thank you. This is the windshield I have currently the one with the dots around the edges and the upper top middle part and I would like to get the same one if possible, I know beggers can't be choosers, hopefully I can get the same one I have.

 

I'm on my second aftermarket windshield. They have been fine. no leaks, no issues.

 

Mine was replaced about 10 years ago with aftermarket. No problems.

 

Is it the little dots on the edges type?

 

If you don’t want your expensive plastic, black cowel damaged while the windshield gets replaced I suggest you remove it yourself first, and reinstall it afterwards. If you don’t it may look visibly fine once reinstalled but you’ll have no idea of what got broken underneath from removal or installation.

 

Awesome, thanks for the tip

 

The main takeaway from this thread is that a lot of windshield installers seem to be really bad at their job, or they don't care about the outcome. Choose your installer carefully.

 

Good point

 

For a second there I was scratching my head about the "little dots", then looked at the pic above.

No, I can't say I've noticed dots around the perimeter of the glass. Of course, I never noticed that on the original glass, either.

*edit* Just went and looked. Son of a gun, there are little dots around the edge.

 

Lmao ah ok

 

Some states insurance gives you a free windshield so look it up. Ask first as some require the crack in drivers view and a certain length - easily adjusted by you I did not say that.
If a rock ding most insurance fixes free by filling that with epoxy and works well.
Safelite is good as stated above and they know how to seal a Tacoma so no kazoo noise - no worries.

 

For free? I'm definitely going to look into that, I live in GA

 

I'm no glass expert, but it is my understanding that the little black dots you're talking about, called frits, are common across all modern windshields. I read an article about them years ago that said the black band around the edge of the glass is a baked on enamel that helps the adhesive adhere to the glass and bond it to the frame/body of the vehicle. The little dots are both a more aesthetic transition between the black band and the transparent glass as well as a gradual transition between the two that helps distribute heat more evenly in order to prevent warping of the glass.

Edit: This isn't the article I was referring to, but it talks about the same things.
What are the little black dots on your car windows? (fox8.com)