Window Tint in Socal?

Hi guys. I'm living in socal and just got my new 3rd gen tacoma sr access cab. I am looking to getting my windows tinted.
Should I go 35% all around? or 35% on the front sides, and 20% on back sides? Which one looks better?

 

And is it legal to tint the front windshield at all in Cali? If yes, how many percent is good? Sorry for asking so many questions..lol

 

It's illegal to tint the front windows or the windshield.

 

It's not legal to tint your front windows in California. You can only have tinted front windows if your car or truck came with them from the factory.

Believe me, I found out the hard way. I tinted the windows on my Scion tC and when I got pulled over for an illegal u-turn, the cop wrote me up for my window tint and I had to get it removed. I managed to last 3 years with it on though, lol.

I had been pulled over a few times in those three years and that was the only time a cop mentioned my window tint. For the most part they don't care, I mean half the cars you see on the road have tinted fronts. But eventually you'll get popped, just a matter of how long it takes.

And it was only a $20 fine if I recall correctly. I've actually thought about tinting my Tacoma as well in the hopes that I can get away with it like most people do. If I can enjoy it for a few years or so before having to get it removed and pay $20, I'd say it's worth it.

 

The darker the tint, the more likely you'll get pulled over for it too, btw. Don't do anything dumb like black out your windows or tint the windshield. If you decide to take the risk and get tint, do a subtle tint.

 

With all of that being said above, I live in SoCal and have 20% on the fronts and 70% on the windshield. I had the same on my Tundra for 14 years and will run this on my current Tacoma until I sell it.

 

Best advice for the tint and pretty much all around. Move out of so cal.

 

I think it's a retarded law but it is what it is, there should just be a limit as to how dark it can be (like in most other states). I get that cops need to be able to see you when approaching your vehicle. But a subtle tint doesn't hurt anyone. Window tint drastically reduces the heat inside the cab and can block UV radiation as well. I wonder if I could get some kind of doctor's note that would make me exempt, lol.

 

How many percent of tint did you have for front side windows?

 

It was a few years ago but if I remember right, I think I had 15% on the fronts.

 

I live in socal and have a 3rd Gen acceas cab and got limo in the back and 20% for the fronts. I didn't get the windshield done and probably won't. Because I have a shorter cabin area I think more light comes through and makes my tint on all windows not look as dark but still gives me the coolness (temp and feeling lol) and privacy instead of being in a giant hot fish bowl. I know my tint guy was recommending 90% at the darkest for my windshield cuz any darker would most likely get me pulled over. I've had my tint for about 4 months and so far so good. For the most part cops don't care and have better things to do, just don't give them a reason to make ur life miserable.

 

It seems the region gets hotter and stays hotter for longer periods of time now than it did years ago and the tint helps a lot with interior temperatures. The UV blocking in the tint is a plus for not having to use dash protectant too considering the windshield is the largest pane of glass on the vehicle. If I get a fix-it ticket then so be it you know.

 

That's the way I look at it too.

Also, not that I'm recommending you do this, but when I had to go to court to pay the fine and face the judge (stupid Pasadena law, you have to go to court for traffic violations) they didn't do any visual check on my car. I just had to give them a piece of paper from the tint company saying it was removed...take from that what you will, lol (I did get it removed).

 

Wow 20% on the fronts that's really dark

 

Check out my build thread. I did 5% all around, which put the rears even darker since it came a little tinted from the factory. It looks badass, but if I were to do it again i'd probably go 10% in the front and 20% in the rear.

 

Just got them done today! got 35% on front sides, 15% on back sides and rear. very happy with it

 

Hopefully I wont get pulled over for that lol...

 

not a huge fan of how the back two windows have a 2-tone look to it. which is a bummer because i want to tint my backs too for UV blocking.

but as long as you're happy!

 

5% on rear three windows , no tint on front windows . I want to stay legal as it's only a matter of time before you get busted for the front windows. it only gives the man a reason to pull you over and check you out.

 

Yea but Im not sure if that outer part is actually the window or not, since this is the access cab... But when it is little bit dark, they actually look very close.