Window tint

[Clemsonfan15]

If it were me I wouldn't put anything less than 20% on the fronts. I don't think higher percents would be worth it, but if I lived in other states that would probably change. I guess tint does provide UV protection.

I really don't like how super dark tint looks or if you have like 5% on back and 35% up front. It just doesn't seem to flow well.

broncosi- I don't see how you do double 5% at night or even during cloudy days.

A few things I have noticed:

1. Brows are worth it.
2. 20% isn't bad at night. It just takes some getting used to.
3. 5% is nice if you don't want to be seen, but I wouldn't want it at night. Don't really see a need for 5% on the fronts.
4. I could not stand 5% over factory tint on the rear window. It would be too hard to back up at night without rolling down the window.
5. Make sure you get good tint.

 

[Sloan]

And NO, in the 2yrs I've had my 4Runner tinted, I have never had any issues with law enforcement about my tint.

You mean the Shelby County 5-0 haven't got ya ridin dirty yet? lol Everytime I go up that way I ALWAYS see a trooper/ cop sitting on a median.

 

[bootown]

trd...I can't believe how well your front windows match your rears. I have seen so many trucks where the front windows are clearly different from the rear ones...that's something I want to avoid. I personally would rather have no tint on the front than tint that wasn't really close to everything else.

So I will go for 20% on the fronts and see how that turns out. If you have any specifics about your tint....brand, color, etc, that would be very helpful. I just did some research and saw colors can be charcoal, smoke, gray, etc. Do you know what color you used? Non-reflective?

While I am here typing does anybody have any tips on how to find a high quality automotive paint shop? I was hit & run in a parking lot and am afraid to pick a paint shop because I am so particular about my truck.

 

[bootown]

This is just painful for me to have to look at everytime I look at my truck...

 

[Rock Slide]

You mean the Shelby County 5-0 haven't got ya ridin dirty yet? lol Everytime I go up that way I ALWAYS see a trooper/ cop sitting on a median.

Nope, not at all . I've had cops ride behind me, beside me and in front of me on the freeway and not a problem yet.

You're right, cops are always out in full force in the Shelby area, but I get over looked

 

[DavidAlexander]

Rock Slide, yours looks NICE!

On a side note,
I believe the police can only regulate the front (driver and passenger) windows and the windsheild.

The rest is just like a paneled van that has no other windows anyways. As long as you have 2 side mirrors your set, legally.

So the back seats and the rest you can do with 5% and have no problem.

I would match the front to the back too, like bootown said, its just not legal where I live.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

bootown if you take it to a good tint place they won't ask you what color you want. I got 3M on mine. It's good stuff. Llumar is also good. Don't get reflective, it's illegal.

Here are some pictures I took today. It's cloudy and it rained last night so they don't give you the best idea, but it's better than nothing.

4runner with 45% front windshield

Suburban with no windshield tint

Fronts tinted with 20% and rears factory

Front with 20% and outside, to give you an idea of how dark or light they are

On the left is the window with 20%, at the very top is a 5% brow with 45% on top of it and on the right is the windshield which has 45% on it.

I can probably take some pictures tonight if you would like.

 

[rdgt4r]

blk runner00, yeah all my tint is over the factory privacy glass. also with the 5% I have on all the rear windows it is extremely hard to see out the back at night so keep that in mind.

 

[bootown]

clemsonfan15...thank you for taking those pictures. Seeing everyone's pics with front windows matching the factory backs was surprising for me. First thing Monday I'll be scheduling an appointment.

And to the white 4runner owners that posted - you just made my decision harder on whether or not to have the white or black lettering out on the new tires I plan on buying this week. I thought for sure I would go black side out after after doing that with my old black '99 t4r...now it's a toss-up.

Just one more dumb question...What is the brow? Is that an additional narrow darker strip along the top edge of the window or is the brow the strip across the top of the windshield?

Thank you so much everybody for posting pictures! I didn't think I would get so many responses. They all helped out...and I never get bored seeing pictures of the best looking auto on the road

 

[rdgt4r]

bootown, yeah the brow or eyebrow it the tinted strip across the top of the windshield. i have 5% on mine and it is a great addition to blocking out the sun from the front of the windshield.

 

[sn0wrunner]

I kinda want to do my windshield now...

 

[rdgt4r]

sn0wrunner, its a good addition but ill admit it takes a week to get used to but after that it its nice, helps to have.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

When deciding on tint I would first figure out how strict the cops are around you. Second is how dark you want to go. I wouldn't go darker than 35%. I'm happy with my 45%.

It didn't take me any time to get used to my tint. It really helps me with glare from oncoming cars.

It might be hard to find a place to do it too.

 

[sn0wrunner]

I wouldnt go any darker than 35 on the windshield, i'd probly go with 45. They are actually getting strict in Boulder, where i go to school, but at my parents house up in the mountains they dont really care. They'll let you ride dirty! not too much gang or drug related stuff going on up there lol.

 

[Sloan]

my friend has a big 4wd scottsdale with NO tint what so ever and he got pulled over for a cracked windshield. the cop made him get out of the car and had a drug dog search his car. so i'm defiantly gonna take it legally window wise around here right now. i'm still debatting if i should go with 5, 15, or 20 percent for my rear windows. will 20 be dark enough over the factory tinted glass that nobody can see in, but i can still see out better then say the 5 percent?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Is there any reason you don't want people to be able to see in?

It's going to take a dark tint to make it so nobody can see in on a sunny day. If you do 20% over your factory it's going to come out somewhere in the 6% range, so going lower will put you below 5% fast.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Is there any reason you don't want people to be able to see in?

Sound system probly. Thats my reason anyways.

I've redone my tint several times and right now i have 20% over the factory on the rear windows and you cant see in unless you press your face up against it during the day. But if you step back 20 feet or so you can still see through a little from the light the other windows let in. At night, there is no chance you can see in.

 

[sn0wrunner]

not the best pic for looking at tint, but if you look closely at the front windows (15%) you can see the trees on the other side. Where as on the back you can just see the reflections of the trees towards the camera. I can try to get better tint pics tomorrow if you want.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

That's true. I too have subs in mine, but I use the trunk cover thing. It's GREAT! Covers them and I don't have to worry about putting more tint over the factory.

 

[rdgt4r]

i too also put more tint to conceal my electronics and passengers haha. plus i think it looks good blacked out on the rear half. wish i could do it to the front.