Like the title suggests, I'm curious your thoughts on OE versus aftermarket windshield glass. My windshield just met it's match and will be replaced next week. Insurance will only cover ~$600 of the ~$1000 price tag for the OE glass. Not sure if the out of pocket cost is justified by any increase in quality. Thoughts?
Windshield OE vs Aftermarket?
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spawn
New member
My 2016 already have 5-6" hair line with few rock chips before I even hit 1000 miles, less than a month old. Local glass company gave me a quote of $189 OTD, but i passed. I havent paid the tax. Less than 2 months now it is at least 10" now with 3000+ miles. Going OEM in this case is pointless. That is just me.
FrontRange4Runner
New member
$1000+ is insane, especially when you consider that most of the dealerships simply hire the same guys to do the job that you would. Go aftermarket, just MAKE SURE the glass comes with the wiper heating elements. There was a thread mannnny moons ago about this, and one person got a great deal on the glass only to find out that his wiper heaters did not work - far too late to do anything about it.
The price of the glass is $1062 from the dealer. As you said, they sub the install to the glass company down the street who will be doing the insurance claim whether I use the OE glass or not.
I'm just wondering if there is any quality differences (pitting, etc) between OE and aftermarket or if all the glass is made at the same factory and rebranded based on the purchaser.
Sorry, I posted again before seeing your response. I'm looking for the old thread now.
Link to old thread
Best I can tell this is the old thread that 1Engineer was referring to. In case anyone else is interested.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/96197-my-windshield-cracked-today.html
Best I can tell this is the old thread that 1Engineer was referring to. In case anyone else is interested.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/96197-my-windshield-cracked-today.html
Jhalko
New member
I replaced factory with one from safelite for less than $400, I paid cash (well credit card) as insurance had already cut me a check for it. Works great and has one winter on it, no pitting yet really.
1engineer
Moderator
That's a good thread. There are several others like here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/104862-windshiled-replacement-oe-vs-aftermarket.html that discuss the difference between windshields. Good luck!
BlackWorksInc
New member
Shit... List Price does seem to be about $900. That's ridiculous, besides the fancy windshield heaters; what the hell else is this glass made of!?
When I had my FJ, I went through 3 windshields. I always had full glass coverage. After a non-OEM install, which distorted at the bottom, I always requested OEM glass. Not a big deal, but I saw the defect everyday I drove...
FrontRange4Runner
New member
The hardness of glass will not change. Pitting will be the same, however the thicker oem glass may resist cracking for a longer period. That said, windshields are just like brake pads and tires, they wear out. Because this does not directly affect vehicle dynamics, go with the cheaper replacement. You will just have to replace it again anyways.
FrontRange4Runner
New member
The lower end Impreza has the same thing. I'm guessing that the 4Runner glass has diamonds embedded, just to make it that much more "reliable".
sntryplt
Member
+1 on the Safelite glass. I'm on my 2nd replacement from them, less than $400 each time. Just be sure it has the wiper heaters. No problems with glass or install quality.
philsey
New member
I may have posted this in the other thread, (not going to look) but I can assure you the oem glass is far from immune to pitting. Mine looks like hell when the sun or headlights is on it just right.
Jhalko
New member
I'd like to see proof that OE glass is that much clearer and I'm struggling to believe thicker? I was astonished at the windshield I got from safelite, for no reason other than I didn't actually realize how horribly pitted and bad my OE was until I could see perfectly clear with the new one.
My factory windshield is wasted also, lots of pits from sand and a few rock hits. The factory glass does not seem that great. I trying to pick a replacement now . I was set on safelite but read some bad reviews about poor quality installs but im sure it all depends on location.
cbreze
Member
My original glass cracked while I had the defroster on. Not sure if connected or not but pretty suspicious in any case. Was driving along and started snowing. Was a pretty rapid drop in outside temp, but still. Never heard anything, the crack just appeared near the bottom, easily visible, saw it immediately. Replaced it with a good quality third party glass. i thought maybe the OEM glass wasn't all it was "cracked up" to be and personally think it is over rated. Just my 2 cents. That was 2 and a half years ago and replacement is still good.
