Greetings:

I bring my 04 4Runner (bought in Nov 2003) today for VSC TRAC / VSC OFF, Eng Check light up and windshield / dashboard rattling problem for the 4th or 5th time (the tech was unable to locate the crackling noise). After test drive with a technician and start to point out what the noise sound like and where it may locate. I left my truck for servicing.

A service representative call in the afternoon informs me that they finally locate the rattling problem. It comes from a "cowl" (I have no clue what this is). While removing the "cowl" and installing the foam kit the tech cracks my windshield. The serv. rep told me that Toyota doesn't make windshield. He will contact a windshield specialist and will let me know when I have to bring my truck back for replacing the windshield. I ask him "if Toyota doesn't make windshield, how come it has the logo "Toyota Lamipane Nippon" stamped / etched on the glass?". "I don't know. What's your daytime phone number you can be reach at, I will give you a call tomorrow" he replies. Based on this conversation, I assume that the dealer will replace my windshield with a replacement part. What is your opinion about this? If it were you, will you accept replacement part as an alternative? Please correct me if I am wrong but I believe all windshield are not created equal. It could shatter differently at an impact and can become dangerous if it hasn't been manufactured to a specific safety standard. Furthermore, the replacement part may not fit properly and eventually leak in the long run.

Any advice and insight thought would be greatly appreciated.

I can't answer your question, but I want to remind you to make sure the new windshield comes with a warranty.

Beware that the new windshield you are going to get will not have the "water repellent" that the OEM wind shield does. I had mine replaced a few months ago by a specialist and it's just not the same. I was so used to seeing the water bead on the windshield and now... NOTHING !!! It sucks !

I would get a brochure and point out the water repellant feature of the winshield that Toyota is so proud of and tell your service tech that as long as the new winshield was OEM quality and had the same features (water repellant) as OEM you don't care what they use Problem is they will be forced to use the OEM to get that feature. That way you sound like a good guy and they are forced into doing the right thing. Win/Win.

Thank you all for your advice and help.

Pitbull: I currently looked at a Toyota eBrochure for 2005 models and can't find "water repellent" windshield. Do you thing this feature exist on 2004 Sport edition model? I also google and still no luck. Would you be kind to let me know where do you get this information for reference?

Thanks in advance for your time and help.

I just checked my 2004 brochure and it wasn't mentioned. I know I've read it some where or I would not know about this feature. Have you checked your owners manual. Maybe start a thread asking "how do we know we have water repellent windshields" then ask where they read about it.

You might check this site http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/htruong/2003_4Runner.pdf

everything you ever wanted to know about you 4runner.

That link has some good info in it. The info about the water repellent windows is in there too. Page 25 towards the bottom. Take that in to the Technician Nice one Pitbull!

I'd demand an OEM windshield. The aftermarket ones break a lot easier. I find it hard to believe Toyota doesn't sell an OEM windshield. I think he's pulling your leg to try to save themselves some $$.

They probably told him it was coming out of his paycheck so he's trying to be sneaky . I wouldn't except anything BUT OEM.

Solice, u r funny.

I just want to do my homework in case the dealer does sneaky deal. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Thanks, Pitbull, for the link. It definitely has a lot of usefull information.

I flip the owner's manual page by page and still no luck. I call a couple dealer and no-one seem to know what I am talking about. So I am going to use the link document as reference.

I had my 4Runner about 2 months or so when the windshield cracked. That was in early 2003 I think Feb. I had to tke it to a glass shop and they ordered the OEM windshield and had it 2 days later. That was when the new 4Runners were few and far between, I also have the limited which uses a different windshield for some reason.

My windshield is exactly the same as the one it came with from the factory, Toyota symbol and everything. SO your dealer should have no excuses, as the glass shop got it from my dealer. It was expensive as hell back then, but insurance is great only cost me $100.

thank you all for your support and input.

I finally get my dealer to replace the windshield with OEM one. Everything is cool

Good.....we all knew as well as you that you were being BSed.

a few month ago I had a broken windshield by a pebble. I reported to the insurance and they send me to their windshield specialist. They wanted to give me a reguler windshield, I call my insurance back and told them that I wanted the same windshield (toyota oem). I waited a week more but I got my toyota oem windshied installed.


you might want to try calling your insurance, most state windshield are$0 out of pocket and don't affect your insurance

I've just had mine replace with one that says Toyota Lamipane (The original one was a Temperlite) which I bought from a Toyota dealership. So this is not a genuine Toyota part?