Windshield Info

For what it's worth, a bit of info...
Last December, I got in the truck one morning and noticed a tiny crack in the bottom of the windshield.. Right about where the wiper would attach to the arm on the driver side.
It was not because of a rock kicked up or anything like that. It just showed up.
Anyway, I just lived with it for awhile, but it started to grow and grow.
So I finally had it replaced the other day. Went to a place in Spokane that I've been to a few times... Being as all they do is automotive glass and do a good job.
I was a little taken aback by the cost ($450.00 installed) but the guy told me that a good chunk of the price is because they make sure the camera on the windshield is aligned spot-on.
Well, OK, is what it is... Everything costs more these days.
Anyway... After all was said and done, I went and talked to the installer-guy and asked him why he thought the crack appeared for no reason at all.
He said it doesn't happen often, but he's seen it before. Apparently there are mounting/pressure points right there, where the windshield mounts. A bit of bad luck or a bit of body-flex will cause it. And sadly, it's nothing that is 'provable' so I can't make a claim under warranty. Errr ... Ugh.
But he also told me to be glad I didn't have a 4-Runner. He's replaced a lot of rear windows as they seem to shatter quite often, for no reason.

 

Mine cracked last December in the cold just driving too. It happens more often than you think. Just got mine replaced last week, even got to install it with the dude as my ditch lights complicated the install and he was alone, lol. I think mine was 300 or 350 (no sensors) if I paid outright for it.

 

[QUOTE="BMH, post: 27189736,
But he also told me to be glad I didn't have a 4-Runner. He's replaced a lot of rear windows as they seem to shatter quite often, for no reason.[/QUOTE]

We bought a brand new 4Runner 18 months ago. I can’t speak for the rear window, but we are waiting to install the fourth Windshield when it comes in off back order. The glass guy told us they use a very soft glass on the 4Runners for safety reasons. Not sure what the difference is but I swear if I stare at it menacingly it will crack.

 

Wow... FOUR windshields in 18 months?? That's nuts! You'd think Toyota would be saying to themselves 'Huston... We have a problem..' and doing something to address it.
You'd think...

 

lol I had two 4Runners between 2010 and 2017. Total of around 200K miles and no cracked windshields. Its a data point.

 

$450 is cheap for a Tacoma windshield with camera calibrate. $750 where I live.

 

My yota is a 17 and I've been through 5 windshields and needing a sixth one soon

 

450 is not a lot for a windshield with advanced electronics etc. my Range Rover was 2k because Internal heating elements etc. to give you a little perspective. Even before Covid it’s still around that price

 

1200ish installed on a 4runorp with all the goodies…

 

And I just barely had my first replacement. My other buddy with a 17 hasn't had to replace his yet...knock on wood.

 

Weird huh? It’s my wife’s 4 Runner, I’m not sure what she’s up to, but her prior Highlanders and Camrys weren’t frequent fliers to the glass shop. I’ve had a Tundra, Tacoma and Jeep Cherokee over the last 20 years and haven’t replaced a Windshield since the Jeep at least a dozen years ago.

 

It’s the verticals windshield… wranglers have the same issue

 

LOL, yeah I guess not. I've always gone to this one place for 20+ years cuz all they do is auto glass, they have a giant warehouse full of windshields/etc. and they're cheap. And realigning the camera is another added layer to the process.
I'm not really complaining about the price really, I knew it was going to be more (Especially because of the camera) I was just used to having the windshield replaced on other cars/trucks for +- $200 ....

 

Just had mine done. It was 800 alone for the OEM glass. Then the calibrate crap. Luckily it was covered by insurance

 

Had mine replaced $1200 installed and calibrated. I paid 500