Cracked windshield

[Sky]

They do not "chip" easier than older windshields, but there may be more debris on the roadways of our crumbling infrastructure.

I'll have to disagree- something is different as my 96 Ford with 215,000+ miles has no chips. My 95 Ranger with 300,000+ miles has no chips.
My 18 Transit with 34,000 has 3. My 11 FJ with 110,000 has 3.
All are driven on the same roads.
SOMETHING is different between those windshields.

At least my 19 4R has none but it only has 500 miles.

 

[3rdgendreamin]

When I initially started reading this thread and saw someone complain about being more prone to cracks because of the angle of the 4Runner window, I laughed and thought to myself, I just sold an FJ that had a window if you looked at it wrong it would crack. HAHA! One of just a few reasons I wanted to get rid of the FJ. That windshield is super spendy to replace and shops don't always really know how to do it. The aftermarket trim pieces dont fit right so I always splurged for Toyota windshield and top trim piece that gets replaced every time. Glad I don't have to worry about that anymore with the 4Runner.

I really wanted an FJ but the 4runner made more sense for me.

 

[tsfarling]

I really wanted an FJ but the 4runner made more sense for me.

I wanted one for 7 years and then bought one in 2014.

Things I don't miss:

Smaller storage space
Suicide doors
No roll down or open rear windows for passengers
Gear searching on the highway like it could never make up its mind which gear it wanted to be in.

 

[t0y0ta4R]

In PA, most (all?) insurance companies will pay the fee for the windshield repair - regardless of your deductible.
>>cb drags out his soapbox and clambers up<<
Insurance in most states has two parts - comprehensive and collision. Collision pays for stuff that is your fault - running into stuff/people and things that can't be proven as not being your fault. A low deductible is expensive.

Comprehensive is for stuff that isn't your fault - fire/theft (assuming you didn't leave the keys in), wildlife hits, road debris etc. A low deductible is generally cheap. For me (in VA), a $100 deductible costs me $26 a year more than a $1k deductible.

Unless you're in a state that has a separate glass portion (or a handful of other states that has oddball insurance laws), glass damage falls under the comp portion of your insurance.

Most insurance companies will waive the deductible if you get a windshield repaired rather than replaced. They also have a deal with Safelite where they don't pay a lot for the repair.

<<cb gets off his soapbox, stumbles and bloodies his nose>>

This makes sense and Safelite mentioned something similar. That said, the cost wasn't that bad to have it filled so I didn't chase it down much at the time. I'll certainly keep it mind on the next one but either way appreciate the feedback.

 

[t0y0ta4R]

I'm on my 4th windshield....almost made it through last year without on lol. If i drive it to work i pass 3 quarries and get stuck behind dump trucks often....if the wife drives it she has to go to Northern Va which is always in construction. Oddly enough, knock on wood, havent had to put one in the Tahoe yet...even though it has taken some hard hits from rocks.

Ugh, Northern VA...all I can think about is how bad the traffic is there and that's on a good day with no construction.

 

[t0y0ta4R]

Driving back and forth from SoCal to Montana, clocking 207.5K miles in 5+’years, we’re replaicing a windshield every 2 years. The worst culprits are oncoming snow plows.

Insurance covers. $250 deductible. New clear windshield every 2 years. Woohoo.

Ouch, makes me wonder if you could get on a program where they give you one free windshield for every 4 purchased or some combination for your loyalty. :biggrin1:

 

[3rdgendreamin]

I wanted one for 7 years and then bought one in 2014.

Things I don't miss:

Smaller storage space
Suicide doors
No roll down or open rear windows for passengers
Gear searching on the highway like it could never make up its mind which gear it wanted to be in.

Stop being so reasonable!

 

[kev_runner]

My 3 week old 2020 TRD ORP has one tiny chip already on it's third day ! I am looking for a windshield protector, sort of like the screen protector of our smart phones.

In the past years, my insurance has increased my premium because I made glass claims almost yearly. When i complained, they said the glass claim will also get on my record as "claims".. they sent me to LexisNexis website, and for sure, I saw my claim records... they stay for 5 years and affect insurance premiums.

From that time on, I never paid extra for windshield, I just have it repaired/replaced out of pocket. That way, I don't have a recorded claim and my insurance doesn't go up every renewal which negates the savings I make when I claim under insurance.

 

[Mcd3mcd3]

My 3 week old 2020 TRD ORP has one tiny chip already on it's third day ! I am looking for a windshield protector, sort of like the screen protector of our smart phones.

In the past years, my insurance has increased my premium because I made glass claims almost yearly. When i complained, they said the glass claim will also get on my record as "claims".. they sent me to LexisNexis website, and for sure, I saw my claim records... they stay for 5 years and affect insurance premiums.

From that time on, I never paid extra for windshield, I just have it repaired/replaced out of pocket. That way, I don't have a recorded claim and my insurance doesn't go up every renewal which negates the savings I make when I claim under insurance.

Where do you get a windshield protector from? I have 2 chips already!

 

[Dreeves]

Only reason a modern windshield would have any degree of strength would be for use as a backboard for airbag deployment. Otherwise, not impressed at all with the four runner windshield. Or paint.

 

[Y2Ksport]

I had a chip that i regret not repairing right away. In 3 weeks time, it grew into a 10" long crack that now requires replacement. I've only had to replace a windshield one other time in my 20 or so years of driving so a part of me wonders if Toyota windshields are just that brittle.

 

[endo1]

Yup they can grow quick

 

[Jivewalker]

I have a big chip dead center of my windshield from a walnut or something, looks like a bullet hole! It's been there for at least 2 years now and probably 60,000 miles, and this is my third windshield. It drives everybody crazy but me, I don't even notice it. Not in my sight line. When are you gonna get that fixed is the question I always hear. Meh... do I really want some jerkoff with a flatblade sawzall in / on my runner if it's not bothering me? Not really.

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

I'll have to disagree- something is different as my 96 Ford with 215,000+ miles has no chips. My 95 Ranger with 300,000+ miles has no chips.
My 18 Transit with 34,000 has 3. My 11 FJ with 110,000 has 3.
All are driven on the same roads.
SOMETHING is different between those windshields.

At least my 19 4R has none but it only has 500 miles.

I just put 50k on my 2019 Honda in less than a year (almost all highway) and it got one small rock chip. Meanwhile I have had two 4R windshields get CRACKED with less than 25k miles on them.
Could be bad luck but it sure does seem these have an affinity for cracking.

 

[DallasTRDPro]

I got one small chip on 5th day of ownership on my way to Moab. Then I just got a second much bigger chip 2" away from the first one. Both on passenger side so they don't both me. The second chip was a rock that also skipped off my hood and left 3 chips out of the paint. This 4 Runner has been worse for paint scratches, chips and dings than any vehicle I have ever owned. Super annoying.