My 21 windshield cracked today. Has anyone replaced theirs with oem one. And who did the work. Was it through a dealer or windshield place
Thanks


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I haven’t had mine crack on my ‘18 yet, but I’ve had two bad chips repaired.

My two cents is that the windshield has been the same since ‘10 so the aftermarket worked out all the bugs years ago and pretty much any glass shop should have one in stock given the popularity of T4Rs.

Even when you take it to the dealer. They usually have a glass guy come to do the labour and the dealer carts over the glass to them.

It all depends on which biz entity you want to deal with and which one services the warranty if there is an issue.

My concern is usage of oem parts. Glass and trim/seals. If they outsource the labor let it be. I have read that people had issues with aftermarket seals leaking and not looking right


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There is no Toyota seal that makes the glass to chassis waterproof. It is the tube of sealant that is applied to the chassis and the glass is set a top.

A good glass install will:
1.) cut the old sealant carefully and ensure they don’t nick the paint. Old cars have a pillar or roof rust because an old windshield was replaced and was not done carefully.
2.) installer cleans the old sealant of
3.) they disconnect the wiring for heated glass or antennae carefully
4.) installer uses the correct sealant as specified in the factory service manual
5.) installer makes sure to 100pct get enough coverage and spread of the sealant then places the glass on
6.) they reattach all the electrical if applicable
7.) they transfer over your dash cam and roll transponders with new 3M stick tape

So they reuse 56111 and 56117D ?



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the molding needs to be replaced for us. I've never actually replaced my own windshield for a 4runner. I did replace my own for my 1989 Mazda Rx7 years and years ago. The molding for the rx7 was actually screwed in to the a-pillar where the a-pillar had plastic inserts. The glass did not use an embeded U-channel molding like 4runners.

I found a youtube video for a Tundra. I would think it's not too far off from a 4runner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0jC5B39jHQ

Here is a Toyota 4Runner 5th gen windshield replacement video

TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2015 WINDSHIELD REPLACE WITH WRD TOOLS - YouTube

My OEM 4Runner windshield has the heating element built into it. If I still want that in a replacement windshield is an OEM replacement my only option or do they make aftermarket ones like that as well?

Yes, other manufacturers make the replacement windshield for our 4Runners that have the heating elements, just be sure that’s pointed out.
Whatever brand you get installed, stand to the side and look for any waviness just to make sure your replacement is good !

Backstory: I had a PPG windshield installed that came out of an overused mold and it was very wavy on the upper part of the windshield. Once noticed, returned to SAFELITE and had it replaced.

Thanks for the heads up, I probably wouldn't have thought to look for that while the installer was there. I'd probably notice it after the work was done and the installer had left.

Had to replace my windshield and didn't want to go OEM this time. Went through safelight and confirmed all replacement have the heating elements, OEM or not if your 4Runner originally had it. Trust but verify though.

When I bought my 2012 TE in August 2015, it was CPO with warranty... weather gets cold, the lower windshield heater isn't working because no heating element. So I took it back to the dealer for warranty service, no heat when I press the button. Service write up guy at first said it wasn't on the window sticker as an option, but I pointed out that it was *standard*, not an option, as I had downloaded & printed the 2012 brochure. So we looked at the windshield and he realized it wasn't Toyota glass. The used car manager agreed to replace the windshield under warranty (good for them!) and I got Toyota glass installed.

The parts guy said that the Toyota glass had some properties that kept the interior from overheating in summer sun, etc., just better. I don't know, maybe UV reflective? I recall reading thread(s) about OEM spec windshield glass.

But, my experience demonstrates that even though the heating element is standard on the 5th gen 4R (please chime in if that's wrong), some aftermarket glass doesn't bother with it, so you can lose out.

There are plenty of people with bad Safelite experiences, just as with dealer service. I don't know how to prove that Safelite glass is the same spec as Toyota. I've had Safelite do a couple of windshields on my full size Chevys
before I got the 4R, everything seemed fine with that.

Hope this doesn't make things worse for your thinking.

It is called high solar energy absorbing glass (HSEA): Factory tint (Privacy Glass) | Toyota Nation Forum

I don't think the windshield heater comes on al trim levels or all years. My '18 SR5 Premium does not have it.

I was wrong. My 4Runner does have heated windshield wipers.