Factory Windshield

Toyota brags that the Tacoma has a special noise reducing windshield. Is that really the case ? And if so, would a replacement windshield have the same effect ?

 

Most manufacturers do, it’s not Toyota specific

 

The windshield is bonded in with an adhesive. If the adhesive isn't applied correctly or is cheap, you can get movement or leaks. The whole process is also very dependent on technician skill, more so than the name of company that employs the technician. The Safelite guy in Ohio may produce very different quality work than the Safelite guy in Alabama. An "indie" glass shop using OEM glass and good quality adhesive can produce just as good results. However, the TSS system complicates things...

 

Pilkington is the OE for your glass.

 

Our windshields seem to spider fast. My next replacement I'm going to keep a closer look out for chips. I missed 1 little chip outside my vision in passenger side and now its split in 2 places
A warning for the wise lol

 

I haven't read everyone's posts, but figured I'd share my experience with Safelite.

I received a crack in my windshield when the truck was relatively new....like in the first several months. Called SafeLite because I figured they were a national brand and had a good warranty. I opted for the SafeLite brand glass since it was the cheapest. It was super wavy and gave a decent headache trying to drive. They replaced that with another safelite brand glass...and another. Then they decided that it must be a bad batch and upgraded me to PPG glass, who supposedly is who makes the Toyota glass, and then another PPG glass. Then they upgraded to some other brand that was supposed to also be as nice as OEM. They had to replace that one. Finally, they sent the district manager down to personally do my glass and see if it was truly as bad as I said.

He brought a wavy piece and installed it even though he could see that it was wavy before the install. In the end, they installed a piece of Toyota glass at the Safelite glass price. It was a huge headache and I can't imagine that being everyone's experience. However, I have 2 chips in my windshield now and I'm not going to replace it until I have to. When I do, I'm going with OEM glass from the start, which I believe I was quoted $550 to replce.

 

Didn't read all these anyway I had a 14 Toyota Rav4 broken windshield and told them I wanted Toyota OEM and they said no problem and it had the Toyota little sticker on it and it was no cost to me .

 

Last week driving home in my new Taco an errant rock found my windshield. In a matter of minutes a small crater grew to a crack 18 inches long. Called insurance company (USAA) and they set up an appointment for me at local Safellite. They got a windshield in and told me the install would take three hours as they had to recalibrate the camera sensor. When I arrived at Satellite they told me they had an aftermarket windshield. Not knowing the difference I said OK. A few minutes later the tech came out to talk with me and said with 105 miles on the TACO not to accept the aftermarket replacement as Toyota would then not warranty anything to do with the camera, cruise control or lane departure warnings. He called USAA and they agreed it must be an OEM. OEM glass is Pilkington. It has taken 2 weeks to receive. Crack is now all the way across windshield. Next week I go back to Satellite for the install.

 

That was very nice of the installer to help you out that way , some don't get that lucky . There is a big big difference in glass . OEM will go 100k and still look decent and some aftermarket will be all pitted up by 50k .

 

Safelite will try to use whatever is the cheapest alternative but if you ask for a factory replacement they will provide it. Your insurance company will determine how much (if any) of the difference you may have to pay. I've had dozens of windshields replaced over the years... Safelite is as good as any other shop in general.

 

Im on windshield number 3. #4 goes in tomorrow 20,000kms HAHA

 

I had my windshield replaced about 6 weeks ago at Safelite and they used Pilkington glass. Told me that is all they will use when the TSS sensors are involved. I had to take it to them so they could do the re-calibration at the same time. They did a great job and it looks great.

 

How much? They quoted $850 on a 2019 TRD OR.

 

My insurance replaced my truck with factory glass for $100 deductible. I was lucky, I think since the truck was only a year old at the time . The glass does crack like crazy with any minor debris it seems though.

 

Safelite repair carries OEM windshield. When I had a jeep wrangler and got a crack in the windshield, the windshield they replaced it with still had the seven slot grill emblem on the top and the little jeep truck in the corner which is how the windshield looks from OEM

 

They also quoted $850 to me too. I just had to pay my glass deductible though.