Transparent aluminum, it's real. Probably expensive.

Transparent aluminum - Wikipedia

After the replacement, try EXO or ClearPlex. Cost was just under $600 on my Z06 (based on size and complexity). Likely closer to $400 on the 4Runner

Glass is basically chemically inert, so corrosion/oxidation etc doesn't impact the clarity, just clean off the dirt and you're good to go. I would guess that Alon has some longevity problems when it comes to transparency that aren't nearly as good as glass.

255K miles on a 2014 and we’re on our 4th windshield. Highway snowplows are the worst.

I think you should find yourself a good lemon law attorney. Good luck!

Got a hit with huge rock last month.
Just missed my windshield and nailed the roof right above my head.
Small dent and decent sized chip.
I freaking wish it hit the windshield.

cant believe it, unreal.

I live in Colorado, where stones on the road is a way of life, especially in the winter.

Everyone's windshields are abused here and no one is immune to cracks. Windshield insurance coverage is automatically included if you live here.

It's the angle of the windshield. Just like they discover with tanks in WW2, the more acute the angle, the greater the thickness of the material relative to the direction of the projectile, giving more strength and greater chance of deflection. 4Runners aren't as bad as Jeeps and FJs, but our windshields are pretty dang up-right.

The crack is growing however it has not made it to the edges yet.
The crack reflects light right into my eyes in some some circumstances. Excellent!
I have some Rain-X crack repair/filler on order. It has had some good reviews here.

It's no wonder there is supposedly a class action against Toyota for the Prius windshield.

Using substandard windshields in an effort to generate revenue is a crap way to do business.

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When you take it to the dealer to have it replaced, make sure you ask them who is going to do the work.

Depending on how large the dealership is I bet you won't like the answer.

Most people that I know that have issues with multiple broken windshields and "running over things in the road" are ones that follow way too close. Just saying.

I was just going to say something along the lines of staying back will prevent things like this and just chips in your paint overall. Cheers.

Get a bug/rock deflector on the hood, then get windshield protection film.

50k on my 4R, and I've had a bug/rock deflector and windshield film (on the inside for UV heat reduction) since day one. My windshield got nailed by a decent sized rock a few days ago traveling home on I-40 and it left 2-3 small pock marks, and no bullet hole or crack. It sounded GD awful when it hit and it took a few gas station stops to finally notice the pock marks on the windshield - I thought a rock hit the roof because I didn't see it at first.

I'd like to think that the bug/rock deflector has done it's job deflecting rocks up until this point, and the windshield film helped in preventing a bullet hole/crack - if I got windshield protection film on the outside, then I may have been able to avoid the pock marks.

Hilarious .... there are multi-numerous shared experiences and several threads here and on other Toyota forums on what shit this glass is and these guys are like “....it’s your fault it’s broke ‘cuz you dont know how to drive.....”

facepalm