4th gen aftermarket windshield success/horror stories?

[av8ter]

Turned a chip into a edge to edge crack today in the middle of a intense mall-crawl(damn speed bumps). Currently have a "FY" brand as it came in the truck when I bought it. Ideally I would like to go back to OEM glass(still might) but it is a big jump($755 my cost working at the dealer, not installed).

I wouldn't mind going with aftermarket glass if there is a know good option. I'll be picky if there is noticeable distortion. The current "FY" glass on the vehicle is actually pretty decent in terms of it's lack of distortion, but does have a excessive amount of air bubbles within the glass itself that appears to be pitting with working against direct sun glare.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I had mine changed at the local pricey place used by folks and dealers with fancy cars.

3rd party glass, looks good in all respects, no distortion or bubbles....except not treated to repel water like the OEM. This shop is proud of their adhesive and requirement to let the car sit for several hours before driving it.

Not happy with the new wind noise somehow related to the molding install.

 

[Porqupine82]

Local place did mine, and the tinted AS1 line is slightly lighter than OEM, otherwise the glass looks good. The glass guy also had to repair surface rust that he attributes to a bad aftermarket install prior to me buying the vehicle. He did this free of charge.

 

[dkyleb]

As a guy who has to get a new windshield every few years... Price is what sells me. Ugh.

 

[m85476585]

The previous owners had a Pilkington windshield put on. The installers did a terrible job, and it's also badly pitted now (not sure when it was installed)

First thing I noticed was excessive wind noise. After a lot of frustration trying to glue down the weatherstripping, it turns out the windshield is mounted a bit too low, like it slid down after they put it in place. As a result: It leaks around the top and sides. The top weatherstripping doesn't fit properly causing excessive wind noise. The VIN window doesn't line up with the VIN. The installers also scratched the paint off the front edge of the roof, so it's rusting a bit. Idiots.

I don't feel like paying to replace an almost perfectly good windshield, so I'm hoping it will break some time. I fixed the wind noise and most of the leaking by adding tons of silicone caulk along the top edge. Hopefully I didn't make a mess that makes it harder or more expensive to replace later. I also learned that weatherstrip adhesive sold in parts stores is almost useless. It makes a huge mess and doesn't really work to glue the weatherstripping down.

 

[m85476585]

Local place did mine, and the tinted AS1 line is slightly lighter than OEM, otherwise the glass looks good. The glass guy also had to repair surface rust that he attributes to a bad aftermarket install prior to me buying the vehicle. He did this free of charge.

What is involved in repairing surface rust? I though you couldn't really do that properly without respraying a whole panel. Maybe yours was not on a visible part of a body panel?

 

[m85476585]

I had mine changed at the local pricey place used by folks and dealers with fancy cars.

3rd party glass, looks good in all respects, no distortion or bubbles....except not treated to repel water like the OEM. This shop is proud of their adhesive and requirement to let the car sit for several hours before driving it.

Not happy with the new wind noise somehow related to the molding install.

Find a stock 4runner in a parking lot somewhere and look at the top edge weatherstripping. It should basically be pinched in a thin gap between the glass and the roof. Compare that to yours. I found the side molding doesn't contribute much to wind noise (but gluing it down better does help a little), but the top can cause really bad noise since it causes air to flow loudly over the thin roof.

I also found that moving the front roof rail to the recommended position or where I have it for my ski box doesn't make a significant difference, and switching to beam type windshield wipers instead of the factory frame ones doesn't make a significant difference.

 

[morphious]

I got my windshield replaced several years back, after researching options, I found Pikington to be a good replacement. I had it installed at my house by a local father son operation and have had ZERO issues thus far. As far as quality of the glass, I can not tell the difference between original or this manufacturer.

 

[NinjaOne]

My windshield is being replaced sometime in the next hour with aftermarket glass. I'll let you know what I think.

I purchased mine with a chip in the windshield, drove it home and it cracked and spread to the edge of the windshield overnight. Finally decided to replace it now that the dashboard has been replaced. After I get the new windshield I'll be adding a small tint or UV film and tinting the side windows

 

[Porqupine82]

What is involved in repairing surface rust? I though you couldn't really do that properly without respraying a whole panel. Maybe yours was not on a visible part of a body panel?

No it wasn't. It was very minor. He sanded the rust, then color match painted over it, then clear coated after taping off visible areas.

Total install was 200 bucks

 

[Derek]

If you are in the Atlanta area I recently had mine replaced by H&A Auto Glass. H&A Mobile Auto Glass - 75 Photos - Auto Glass Services - Buckhead - Atlanta, GA - Reviews - Yelp

I called around and they quoted me $149 for the replacement and they came out to my house. I had my doubts at this price but they did a great job with the install and the aftermarket glass looks just as good as the OEM it replaced. I can't remember what brand they installed though.

 

[gshadow325]

If you are in the Atlanta area I recently had mine replaced by H&A Auto Glass. H&A Mobile Auto Glass - 75 Photos - Auto Glass Services - Buckhead - Atlanta, GA - Reviews - Yelp

I called around and they quoted me $149 for the replacement and they came out to my house. I had my doubts at this price but they did a great job with the install and the aftermarket glass looks just as good as the OEM it replaced. I can't remember what brand they installed though.

i just quoted you because i cant belive its 149. im tempted to change mine out since it has a scratch from a windshield blade coming off

 

[Derek]

i just quoted you because i cant belive its 149. im tempted to change mine out since it has a scratch from a windshield blade coming off

I thought the price was too good to be true as well. Safelite was quoting me $380 and Abra Auto Glass quoted me $250.

 

[NinjaOne]

I thought the price was too good to be true as well. Safelite was quoting me $380 and Abra Auto Glass quoted me $250.

Just got mine done under insurance.

Windshield: $147
Labor $130
Seal/adhesive: $32
Total $342 (inc tax)


Looks pretty much the same as OEM. Mirror is slightly different. Wind noise seems to be fine, have yet to test that on the freeway

 

[daka320]

Had our cracked windshield replaced about a year ago. Have windshield coverage through Progressive Insurance and they use Safelite. Seems like good glass and have no problems to date with the install.

 

[Dylan]

My windshield is being replaced sometime in the next hour with aftermarket glass. I'll let you know what I think.

I purchased mine with a chip in the windshield, drove it home and it cracked and spread to the edge of the windshield overnight. Finally decided to replace it now that the dashboard has been replaced. After I get the new windshield I'll be adding a small tint or UV film and tinting the side windows

Was your dash replaced as part of the recall campaign? I'm still waiting to take mine in. It has cracks from wear over the years, but also has a small crack from a bum who tried to steal my stereo. I don't want that crack to disqualify the already cracked dash from being replaced.

 

[Gatafly]

Been very pleased with Safelite. They have done 2 vehicle for me. Two previous vehicles had windshields replaced by other companies and both ended up getting rust from under the windshield because of a bad install. They must have gouged the paint when stripping off the old adhesive. From then on every 2 years the window would crack from the expanding rust. Thankfully those autos are gone. My 4runner with almost 170k still has original windshield. Its in great shape with a minor amount of sandblasting and 1 repaired chip. I will keep it as long as I can because I don't like replacements as you can see from past experience. When I do it will be Safelite. They will use OEM if you ask them to. . . . . . at least they did for me.

 

[NinjaOne]

Was your dash replaced as part of the recall campaign? I'm still waiting to take mine in. It has cracks from wear over the years, but also has a small crack from a bum who tried to steal my stereo. I don't want that crack to disqualify the already cracked dash from being replaced.

Yes, part of the recall.

Never hurts to take it in, mine was damaged from a phone holder that fused onto the dashbaord. They didn't say anything about it.

 

[KBToys]

My 4runner came with a after market windshield and noticed that my drivers side floor would get wet eventually when going through the car wash i would see water dripping from the pilar. Had the windsheild replaced by a local company for under 200 and it has been dry since.

 

[Morphyne]

That is exactly the problem I am having right now. Might be worth $200 just to have the leaked fixed...