VIN# etched into the glass???

fightman80

fightman80

New member
Hey folks,

I read somewhere that the 4Runners have the VIN# etched into the glass??? Is that all trucks, or just a dealer option?

I bought mine 2nd hand from the Stealership, and they charged me $200.00 for this! They waived the $200.00 "administration" fee, but then charged me for this! I had a feeling they were screwing me over with this extra $200.00 glass etching, but I was just so sick of arguing with them over the price of this truck, I just wanted to get it over with!
 
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I used to sell cars (a couple years ago) and from what i remember all the new cars came with it stock. I think it was usually on the rear window in the lower corners.
Its a good security feature but you shouldn't have to pay for it. You can get any of that crap for free. For example the "protection package: It's legit they do most of what they say like the undercarriage stuff, but its not worth $800.
Buying a new car is hard to wheel and deal becuase salesmen dont make that much unless they sell those additives, or sell it for the sticker price.
 
GottaBeTRD said:
I used to sell cars (a couple years ago) and from what i remember all the new cars came with it stock. I think it was usually on the rear window in the lower corners.
Its a good security feature but you shouldn't have to pay for it. You can get any of that crap for free. For example the "protection package: It's legit they do most of what they say like the undercarriage stuff, but its not worth $800.
Buying a new car is hard to wheel and deal becuase salesmen dont make that much unless they sell those additives, or sell it for the sticker price.
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Yeah, but they still want a sale, and a good deal for you is still profit for them. When I bought my last car (before the runner), they refused to take off all the dealer cleaning and other BS charges, so we walked. They chased us after we got in the car and offered to take those off to make the sale.

Just make sure you are letting them make a little profit, and they can be convinced to make the sale. A low-profit sale is still a sale, and a sale their competition won't get.

This is the first I have heard of VIN in the glass. Seems odd to me. How is it a security feature?
 
I've been there chasing people down LOL! its a sleezy job, and im glad m not there anymore haha As for the cleaning stuff i never saw them put anything in the interior or the paint maybe it came in with it already on? but the undercoating would only cost $150 to $200. its ridiculous what they charge for all that

Your right with letting them make some $. In some of the local dealerships here, the salesman make at least $100 a sale no matter what they sold it for. but yeah you cant be going in wanting every discount they have. especially for a new car. i hated selling new cars cause nobody pays the sticker price and there really was never that much room to discount Honda's

As for the etching it mostly for tracking. Thieves can scratch off any sticker or take of the little plate in the dash but they most likely wont be replacing the rear window. It's really hard to see but its just like a laser cut vin# in the window.
 
It has been on prettuy much every Toyota I have owned except the 84 truck. On my 2nd Gen its on every piece of glass. Rear windows, back glass, door glass and windshield. Its one way to check to see if any has ever been replaced or not also if they dont match.
 
It was definitely not standard on my 2001. The distributor tired to add it to almost every vehicle my dealer ordered but I convinced them to order mine without it.
 
When I sold VWs, vin etch was added at the dealer. All they do is stick on a little plastic sticker with the vin # cut out then paint it with acid then peel off the sticker and wash. Our dealership didn't charge for it but most do.
 
I wish I wasn't in class right now or else I'd be checking this crap

My windshield I replaced so I know it's not on that but 0o0o

I have like a small flower etched into my driver's side window and it bothers me lol
 
I can see the charge for the etched glass on a new car, but I bought mine used! It was 6 years old!!! Thieves!! HA HA !
 
As far as I know the VIN# in the glass is unusual in Austria.
When I bought my Land Cruiser it had the VIN in every glass window. I found out that the former owner was the Romanian embassy. They had put the VIN# in every glass as security feature in these days when the car was new (maybe in case to drive to Romania and reduce the possibility of stealing).

But I thinkt it's an insolence to demand money for this feature, when it is usual for cars in the US of A.

greetz
 
Ok, I can see it for verifying if something has been replaced (like replacing glass is that big a deal). It seems a bit superfluous for security though since the VIN is stamped on the frame. Unless they are grinding that off, the VIN is safe. Besides, the VIN is not that necessary anymore for security etc. There are so many ways to track a vehicle, is a thief really gaining much by taking the VIN off?. Cops are really only going to check the VIN if the plates don't match the description, which is how they will get in trouble anyway.
 
Nelsonmd said:
Ok, I can see it for verifying if something has been replaced (like replacing glass is that big a deal). It seems a bit superfluous for security though since the VIN is stamped on the frame. Unless they are grinding that off, the VIN is safe. Besides, the VIN is not that necessary anymore for security etc. There are so many ways to track a vehicle, is a thief really gaining much by taking the VIN off?. Cops are really only going to check the VIN if the plates don't match the description, which is how they will get in trouble anyway.
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There is vin numbers on everything on my 4runner. The fenders, the doors, the glass, the bumpers, the hood, the frame, and the body. The only thing that it helps is seeing if any body parts were replaced and if you buy parts, just making sure that there not stolen from anybody else.
 
Singtoe said:
There is vin numbers on everything on my 4runner. The fenders, the doors, the glass, the bumpers, the hood, the frame, and the body. The only thing that it helps is seeing if any body parts were replaced and if you buy parts, just making sure that there not stolen from anybody else.
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I too was under the impression that every single thing was etched with the VIN number on my 4R. I see the etching on the windows, and inside the door.
 
Mine is etched as well, all glass and on the frame behind the passenger front tire. Don't know about the fenders...and ain't checking.....LOL!! I like it.

I knew it was a security feature offered at some new car dealers, but never heard of it being offered and charging for it at a used care place. That sucks!
 
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