2011 Tacoma Factory vs Non-Factory Windshield

Hello Tacoma owners,

I have a 2011 Tacoma OffRoad Pkg, and my Windshield cracked with only 5000 miles. I called Toyota and the cost of a Factory OEM windshield is $1125.00 vs a non-Factory Windshield is $400.00. I found another company that will replace it for $294.00. Does anyone know the differences between a factory and non-factory windshield. I know at 4X the cost the factory windshield is certainly not crack resistent.

Cheers, Christoph

 

The non factory probably wont squeel like the factory one does. I would go with Safelight. All over the country, good service, full warranties

 

Who's your insurance company? Mine (USAA) would do it for free

 

I got my winshield replaced for less than $200 through Safelight, you can tell it is not the same qaulity as factory {windshield isn't contoured as good} but it doesn't leak and has a free replacement guarantee for life. I'm happy with it after 1 year.

 

The crack is in the middle of the windshield starting at the very bottom and almost to the top. Looking for a replacement at this point.

 

Does the safelite glass have the black dimples around the rearview, or just the tint across the top?

 

Mine is tinted, guys mounted my rear view mirror a little too high so now I have an awesome view of my bed while driving. My only complaint.

 

1st gens dont have windshield mounted rear views

 

I better watch who ever replaces the windshield since I have the rear view camera option.

 

The placement of the mirror won't affect the camera image since that is mounted on your tailgate. Its the reflection you have to deal with. Just tell them to put the distance from the headliner you want in the notes section for the installer. Measure the distance you have now and if you want it a little higher, figure out what that would be and tell the installing company. I did this in the past and it made things a heck of a lot less stressful.

 

Safelight glass on my Taco, cheap no name glass



Windshield looks really good, you have too look closely to see the imperfections compared to OEM





Guess I lied about the dimples, it has them aroud the rear view and tint the rest of the way.

 

Get factory. My insurance agent told me that as long as the truck is less than 2 years old you can get a factory, otherwise you get safelite etc. Mine was replaced at 2k miles and is fine.

Got a safelite in the wife's 2005 4runner and it took them 3 x to get it close to right. It still has bends in the plastic at the top corners and looks like shit.

 

non-factory?

 

Damn dood, sorry to hear about the bad experience. Guess the quality of the workmanship can vary from shop to shop. Glad mine came out really good after hearing that.

 

I usually call the insurance company and let them know that I'm ordering an OEM windshield and let them know who's installing it. When it comes in the installer calls me and we make an appointment. Costs me $100.00.

Marc M

 

Is there a reason this isn't warrantied at his mileage?

 

Don't think road hazards are covered under any warranty.

 

How is this a road hazard? Or is the OP leaving something out?

If something *hit* the fucking windshield, then I can understand it not being covered. But if I'm just driving along at 5k miles and my windshield cracks for no damn reason at all, you better believe that's getting warrantied.

 

You would be suprised, a cracked winshield is not a manufacturer defect. Defective parts are covered under the warranty, not what you do to vehicle. Driving hazards are not covered.

 

A cracked windshield without impact is most definitely a manufacturer defect.