Windshield Replacement

Hello Tacomaworld
I have a 2021 TRD Pro and a small crack instantly became a big long one and I need to replace the windshield. With previous cars I always used Safelite or similar non OEM glass.

I have windshield insurance and was thinking I should go OEM only on this truck. Thoughts? Experience with non oem on Tacomas? Not sure it matters. Would love opinions here.

Thanks!

 

lot's of opinions on both, some are fine with aftermarket, some are not.

 

I currently have a non-OEM windshield and no issues. Seems to be the same thickness as factory and no wavy spots. I’ve read that waves and optical distortion can be somewhat common in aftermarket windows.

 

If your insurance covers OEM why would you not go with that? Mine doesn't and Safelite put aftermarket glass in my wife's Civic and it was wavy and distorted. Took it back and they put a different aftermarket one in and it's fine.

 

@Cleanwilly Since I do have insurance, I am considering going with OEM. The big prob is availability. Non OEM is much more available.

 

I had mine replaced with aftermarket so far so good . Don’t have any wavy lines . only issue I have is when it rains it seems a bit more difficult to see out of versus oem glass .Yes I tried different windshield wipers . You can go with oem with your insurance but u will have to pay an additional fee for it if they don’t cover it .

 

My OEM glass is actually slightly wavy luckily only on the passenger side. Still annoying though when it rains or during winter with frost.

 

Insurance typically won't cover OEM. If you have to go aftermarket, insist on Pilkington brand. They make Toyota's OEM glass and are IMO, the highest quality for aftermarket glass. Just tell Safelite or whomever, you want Pilkington brand. If they can't guarantee it, shop around.

 

How many windshield manufactures are there? I suspect that there aren't many, and if there is any difference in an OEM windshield it is because some are made by one manufacturer and some are made by another... both manufacturers making OEM and aftermarket windshields and all of them out of the same materials and using the same process.

I knew a guy with a bakery supply business that would fill branded flour sacks from a single huge bin. He had a "house brand" that he would sell for a lot less than the name brands, and most of the bakeries would pay more for the branded sacks with the same flour inside as the cheaper house brand so they could tell their customers that they used the "better" brand of flour... and charge more for their product.

The same thing goes for gasoline and oil, IMO.

 

@Bertw192 That is excellent info.

 

I'd check with your company. Mine (PEMCO) only covers OEM for vehicles less than two years old. Like everything with any insurance company, it can be a huge battle to be made whole.

 

Tons of posts on this. My insurance wanted me to pay the comp deductible. At $500 it was cheaper to have a local company do it for cash. $285.

Screw factory glass. It cracked super fast and easy The aftermarket is just fine. Mine even came with the go pro mount which I will never use, but whatever, its a cute gimmick.

 

I believe if your insurance company won't approve OEM you can request that Safelite install Pilkington glass - basically OEM without the logo on it.

 

Just got word...all glass shops can do OEM if approved thru your insurance. I am indeed based on the age of my truck and the type of coverage. ZERO deductible install next week. Thanks for the all info on this thread!

 

How much does an oem windshield run ?

 

Mine’s a 2021 as well, Safelite installed non OEM made in good ol USA glass on mine. I can’t tell the difference. Fast quality service.

Chances are high you’ll need another replacement in a couple years anyway so why fuss over all this? Keep that full glass coverage and move on with your life.

 

I just went through this.

Because of the age of my truck, insurance wouldn't cover OEM.

I asked shop for a Pilkington, they said sure but it will depend on what the supplier has. They installed a Fuyao. Told me they are OE equivalent and great windshields. Noticed distortion along both vertical edges the next day. Brought it back and asked for a Pilkington. They said no problem. They installed another Fuyao. WTF? They said no Pilkington available. I never left the parking lot - this windshield was worse. Distortion along the sides and in the middle section.

I told them to order me a OEM Pilkington. Nice windshield. No issues. Shop covered 50% of the deductible on the OEM. Paid it and moved on.

Like everything, YMMV.

 

@Jackie Moon Not sure where you getting the impression of "Fuss over this" It's called getting information and asking liked minded tacoma owners for information.

 

Safelite, scary. They messed mine up twice. First time installed glass low, couldn't read Vin. Second time messed up headliner, had to be replace. Never, ever again...

 

No worries, wasn’t even calling you out directly just the fussiness in the responses. I totally get the OEM vs aftermarket question, I didn’t even know I could have requested OEM from satellite haha. It makes me chuckle to read the fussy people who are rah rah “made in USA only F aftermarket!” but don’t realize the aftermarket stuff Safelite uses is also made in USA (at least with this vehicle).

To each their own. I had a “good local shop” try to patch a chip in my windshield. It was laughable what they did and I felt awkward the watching the guy work. I just thought to myself “yeah this is a job for the big boys.” A few months later that windshield cracked. Went to safelite for the replacement and the experience was top notch, a real professional job. I don’t care if they’re taking over the market. Learned my lesson.