Windshields....OEM vs. other..

Looks like I will be in the market for a new windshield soon for my 2014. I've got a chip that seems poised to spread. I'm curious what luck people have had with different brands? I hear Pilkington is good and PPG is decent too. OEM from Toyota is no doubt expensive and probably not any better. In fact, I thought I read that some aftermarket glass might actually be better than OEM? I don't really mind getting a different windshield, but I hate breaking the factory seal. Finding a glass shop that does quality, conscientious work might be challenging too. Damn rocks.

 

Do t sweat it, I've had at least a half dozen replaced in my many years off diving. Never had an issue.

Our last was done by safelite, insurance paid, took 15 min and looked just like OEM Honda.

 

I have no idea what the glass shop replaced my windshield with, but it wasn't OEM. I talked to the manager about my choices, which were OEM, and Aftermarket OE. He told me federal law mandates that aftermarket original equipment must meet the same requirements as the OEM factory windshield. I ended up going with Aftermarket OE and I don't regret it for a second. I can't notice any difference between it, and my original glass. The roads down here in Puerto Rico are terrible and there has been no issues with cracking, squeaking, seals, ect.

 

If you can get a windshield with "permaplate" you will have done yourself a big favor.

I've had it on vehicles. You can damn near throw bricks at it and doesn't chip or crack.

 

Stick with OEM I've been through a nightmare with 2 different aftermarket windshields that fit like complete shit and I'm stuck with it now. They don't match the curve at the top of cab / windshield and the glass flattens out in the top corners and you can see a visible distortion. I did some research and found out that the aftermarket glass business basically consists of just a couple of manufacturers but ten companies people their different name brands on it. I had three different branded windshields sitting on the back of the glass guys truck in my driveway and they all had the same improper shape defect. I also noticed that the aftermarket windshield spotted super easy, anything that dried on it turned into a hard water stain spot. Stick with OE Toyota and use your insurance and spend a bit more it is worth it.

 

Mine came with pilkington as do several makers.

 

Orrrr...
http://www.agc.com/english/portal/transport_car.html
Not cut to shape, and no idea how much it would cost, buuuut.....

 

Subbed. I need a new windshield too. Toyota wants $1037 for just the glass alone... That ludicrous... So im honestly unsure what to do

 

I have PPG glass. It is a little distorted on the upper corners, but so was the OEM glass. I can't tell any difference over OEM as far as pitting or anything else.

 

That's stupid expensive.

$300-500 should cover an aftermarket. OEM windshield by itself is $550.

 

I just had my glass replaced and I made sure it was replaced with pilkington which was the same glass as OEM. Just did not have the Toyota name. They both said pilkington In the same place.

 

Wow, $550?? My dealer was going to give me a break and charge me $880 for the glass but my girlfriend's father who is a mechanic has a guy who will put a new aftermarket windshield in for only $200 for the glass and labor... he said he's never had any issue with the guy who does the windshields for him but it's almost too good to be true and I don't know if it's one of those you get what you pay for situations or not and he's been a mechanic for over 30 years and ive been with his daughter for 6, so I obviously want to trust them but I'm not sure on the glass quality

 

This is good to know!

 

i have a 2015 dbl cab and my windshield is from plinkington

 

As someone who repairs cars for a living, always, always, ALWAYS go OEM. Those cheap knock off windows are cheap for a reason, usually because they aren't cut exactly right and can have a slight bubble along the edge and won't seal properly. Or nearly impossible to get the gaps right to make it look good.

 

On my FJ (they have big windshield issues) the OEM windshield lasted 3 years until a rock that would have smashed any windshield hit. It almost came through into the cab. Over the next 8 months the Safelite windshield was replace three more times and covered by insurance. One was 5 days after it was installed. Every time Safelite said it was a rock strike that caused it. I was told all the replacement windshields were OEM. I don't remember which brand they were, other than crap. After one of the installs I could see waves in the glass at the edge. It looked like there excessive amount of pressure on some spots. The windshields cost $1100 including the painted roof strip.

The last one I went to a different windshield company and insisted that they replace it with Toyota factory glass, it has Toyota printed on it. I got insurance approval and have had it for the last 4 years. The windshield and roof strip cost $1200.

 

i had 100 miles on my 2014 and a rock hit it,, dealer 1300.00 esimate, safe auto 300.00 same exact windshield, and it was done right when they changed it,,,

 

My windshield says "Toyota United LN". I googled this and apparently this brand is a subsidiary of Pilkington and was purchased in the late 2000's. So, Pilkington seems to be primary OEM vendor these days, best I can tell.

 

Stay away from FYG. It's distorted crap made in China. I had one replaced under the guarantee and they replaced it with the same crap only not quite as distorted. Next windshield, I'll demand something better. I'm sure I'll break another one as Oregon dumps rock on ice and snow every winter, ensuring the glass shops will be busy. This is my fourth and it has a stop drill repair on it already.

 

From my experience with other vehicles, aftermarket glass sucks and is never as good as OEM...