Tinting advice

[Sgt. Rock]

Here in NJ any applied tint to the front seat windows or full windshield is illegal. I want to darken the driver/front passenger windows, but not dark enough to attract police attention.

Thought about taking the front to what the rear stock is and making the rear darker, so it all looks stock all around.

I'll appreciate any thoughts on tint levels and advice on tinting the tailgate window (effects on the defogging strips?).

 

[mtomaro]

Theres tons of threads on this but...

If I recall correctly: (and i probably dont)

Factory Glass
Front 75-80%
Rear 25-30%

So 35% up front should match pretty close.

 

[mcarey86]

If having any tint up front is illegal, making the front windows look like the rears is not going to look factory at all. The rear is pretty damn dark. You'll get stopped all the time if the police enforce it.

 

[bloodninja]

Unless Jersey has changed, they check for front window tinting upon inspection. Use your better judgement.

 

[4RnR Grl]

20% on the front windows nearly matches factory tint on the rear passenger windows. IT WILL NOT PASS AS FACTORY. If you have a black interior and it's dark you cannot see in the vehicle from a distance, especially on an overcast or rainy day.

I would go with 35% or less on the front windows.... no more if it's illegal in your state.

 

[codyHTX]

here's a comparison of stock vs 35% tint added, doesn't quite match the back because A) it is not quite as dark of a tint, and B) the greenish ~80% tint in toyota's front windows.

 

[blakjack23]

I'm always surprised to read our rear windows are around 25% tint. Mine don't seem that dark. I just had my wifes Camry done with 45% all around and it looks just as dark as my rears. Must just be the way I'm looking at it.

 

[BobsTrail]

I did my front windows with the lightest tint, and it's difficult to tell. The stock mid and read windows still look a lot darker. It was a light tint, but it blocks all the UV and helps with heat rejection.

Later I did the front windshield and moon roof the same way but used Solar Guard ceramic, it's similar to 3M Crystalline. It's the lightest tint and it's difficult to tell. It also blocks the UV and reduces the heat load a lot. I don't have the dark tint look, but better heat/UV blocking.

 

[SFL_driver]

I can't believe they don't allow any tint. We would be burnt to a crisp down here in FL if we couldn't have tint!

 

[Logan714]

I can't believe they don't allow any tint. We would be burnt to a crisp down here in FL if we couldn't have tint!

California is the same way. Not supposed to have any front window tint. I think they try and pass it off as officer safety if I remember correctly. Which is why I refused to register my truck in California and keep it registered in Arizona.

 

[carlomagne]

i added either 50 or 55% to my fronts. not too noticeable.

 

[mdogg]

Here in NJ any applied tint to the front seat windows or full windshield is illegal. I want to darken the driver/front passenger windows, but not dark enough to attract police attention.

Thought about taking the front to what the rear stock is and making the rear darker, so it all looks stock all around.

I'll appreciate any thoughts on tint levels and advice on tinting the tailgate window (effects on the defogging strips?).

If you match the front to the rear OEM tint, it will attract attention - immediate attention from LEOs in certain towns for varying reasons (either quick/easy ticket OR possibly fishing for other infractions). My suggestion is to make a LEO friend and get a gold card. You might still get stopped, but it should be a quick affair and back on the road. I have been stopped once in the 4Runner in 1.5 years. Before that, I had a lowered G8 tinted with 35% all around and was pulled over maybe 7 times in 4 years. Of those 8 stops, 4 were in the same town - and I had been pulled over there a few more times in my previous car too.

If you want absolutely no issues, go with something like Llumar Air Blue 80% on the front windows and call it a day. If you want the rear windows darker, go for it.

Regarding the rear window, the defrost lines are fine over tint assuming that you get quality tint applied by a professional. If you cheap out on the tint and/or the installation, then something has to give.

Unless Jersey has changed, they check for front window tinting upon inspection. Use your better judgement.

Nope. Now it's just OBD and possibly tailpipe for emissions. They cut out everything else from the inspections process (meaning you can still pass inspection, but LEOs can write a ticket for those items that aren't in compliance).

 

[bimrunner]

Running 50% in front and limo all the way in back windows and sunroof. Definitely dark in there though when its night time or stormy. Cops in NorCal haven't pulled me over for it specifically but it may happen some day and I would be forced to have it removed to get my fix-it ticket cleared.

 

[SOOTRD]

For your reference, here is 20% all around (over factory tint also).

 

[Belaire23]

i added either 50 or 55% to my fronts. not too noticeable.

What lift and size tires are those. I NEED IT.

 

[bimrunner]

What lift and size tires are those. I NEED IT.

... the tire sidewalls say 285/70/17 and that is probably Icon stage 5 or up so assume 3" up front and 2.5" in the back with icon coils...