OEM Windshield replacement options?

(01 AC)

Pardon me if this has been asked before but if you needed to get a windshield replaced do they still have OEM Toyota glass available?

also say your able to get one in good shape either from a junkyard or part out from another of the same year, would a shop be willing to install that for you or would they refuse bc of liability issues?

 

I had my windshield replaced at safelite and they used Aftermarket glass, and I've had no issues the last 2-3 years.

Why Do you want OEM? I wanted the same, but decided to go with Aftermarket due to cost

 

Idk really I’ve heard things about the quality not being as good, fitment issues, or distortion with aftermarket, not sure if pertains to these tundras or a specific brand tho.

really just wanting to know if it’s possible as a free windshield is still better then paying for one regardless of the price imo

 

Call your auto glass installer and ask if you can request PPG glass. Also see if you can get a replacement trim piece from the dealer to use in place of their crappy substitute (this is the piece they cut to get you glass out).

 

Oh boy. Here we go again.

Yes, OEM is available, to the tune of almost a grand. And I have yet to have anyone tell me what brand it is. Maybe Pilkington, maybe now? Dunno.

You've got two things to consider with windshield replacement: You need to replace the glass, and there are obviously seals and accoutrements that go around the perimeter of the windshield to pick up.

Here's some advice for you:

On glass etc.: https://www.tundras.com/threads/2000-limited-trd-refresh-repair-story.116395/page-4#post-3063287

Feedback I got from the veteran glass guy who swapped out our 2020 Highlander glass: https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-lunch-table-general-discussion.60450/page-831#post-2539596

On windshields, I don't know many (if any) installers who'll put back in used for windshields specifically. I personally have a guy who'll do it, but he's picky about it, and would want to find and pull it himself for extra $$ to ensure it doesn't get damaged on removal.

 

Safelite uses Fuyou which is a Chinese made glass. Safelites install practices have become quite crappy as well. Look at some of their reviews, and there are complaints from all over the country. I would look for some of your local glass companies. PGW/Vitro is who makes OEM glass for the newer trucks.

 

Our local safelite put a windshield in my lexus and butchered the hell out of it. Seal looked terrible, wind noise, and worst of all leaks into my floorboard.

 

Like every major national service, Safetlite used to be good when they were ramping up and a short time after, but these days is ass. They jumped the shark, I would skip. Find a local glass shop. Better product, better work.

Safelite, as an established company, will do anything they can to increase revenue and profit margins at your expense. Inferior glass, inferior product, inferior installers who'll accept a low-budget wage ...

 

100% correct.

 

Ya know, I think this is true. I haven't owned a car that hasn't needed at lease on windshield replacement. I've probably bought ~ 20 windshields in as many years (I've had 3 or 4 cars on the road at the same time). Safelite has always been my go to glass shop. My last windshield was ~ 3 years ago, and the installer was late, surly, and fucked up my trim. Thank god it doesn't leak.

My wife's coworker had her windshield replaced 5 times before they got it right! (Good thing she didn't take any shit and settle for inferior work).

My Tundra still has the OEM glass, but it's getting hard to see through it because it's like sandblasted from road debris. I'm afraid to change it, however, because I fear having to deal with leaks I don't have today.

 

I called my local dealer and they sent me to the shop that they use for glass replacement.

 

This is what happened with the '20 Highlander.

Essentially the windshield was cracked in 2 places and practically invisible when we test drove and bought it. Dealership had a specific company they use, because that place insists on using OEM parts (and/or the OEM brand glass w/o OEM labeling). Safelite won't do it without charging OEM prices + markup. I was thrilled with the service, and I'll likely end up breaking down and using them for my Tundra also.

I'd really love to replace my original windshield. It needs it. 1st owner lived on a dirt road and didn't change his wipers enough, so the windshield essentially has ultra-fine sand-etched arches in it. I wish cerium slurry worked worth a shit, I'd just polish it out and keep the original glass.

 

This reminds me of a saying I have, “if it’s big enough to have commercials on t.v., it’s big enough to lose quality for profit”




(just made that up)

 

My truck windshield is similar. I notice scratches and haze sometimes. It's not terrible but if I knew it could be replaced easily, for a good price, and done right I may do it but I just don't want to put in the effort involved for it as it isn't that bad yet

 

My windshield is original too. It's not in great shape but no cracks in it either. Knock on wood, I've never had to replace a windshield.

I've wondered if there is a correlation between tailgating and windshield damage. My step dad is always riding people's asses on the interstate and he's had to put in a few windshields since I've known him. Most recently in his fancy Highlander.

I drive like gramps in the slow lane and rarely catch a rock.

 

For anyone still chiming in, turns out based on a local installer that Toyota no longer supplies OEM windshields for the 2001 year and my only options are limited to FUYAO, and other low quality brands that the dude didn’t recommend. Guessing I’m just SOL unless I go the whole part out/salvage route.

 

If there are no cracks on the glass it can be buffed like a clear coat to remove the imperfections.

 

nah it’s a crack, as much as I’d love to save the OEM glass, based on it exponentially growing in the last couple days I know it’s time has come.

 

Supposedly you can with cerium oxide powder/paste, but ... I've seen a many videos debunking it as I have swearing it works. And some of them that swear it work started with dirty windshields and it looked like a cleaned dirty windshield after.

 

Everyone's favorite car fanatic to hate on, makes it look almost like it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH6fvLME2JU​

 

We watched her build a bug series! Great channel, great series, yay bugs!
FYI, I’ve had a 59, a 69 beetle, 64 ghia, 64 and a 74 bus, and a 77 scirocco… good times, wish I still had them all, or even one of them!

 

My 59 upper and my 69 lower…

Im sharing these here because the 59’s sunroof never leaked, but the structure rattled like crazy!!!
And… I had the front windshield of the 69 drop out in a bazillion pieces in my lap going 45mph! Such Fun!!! O hec noooo!

 

Not that anyone cares but I ended up getting the FUYAO installed at a decent ish price. Dude was a veteran and addressed all my concerns that I’d recommend to anyone although doubt anyone’s in my area. Funny enough there was literally a shitstorm tornado watch the next day but I didn’t see any signs of leakage which is good. I think it really comes down to getting a proper installer instead of a dude who took a 1 week course

 

Longevity will tell! But, I gotta say ...

​

 

PPG was the original glass installer for your year like it was mine. You should look into whether you can request it, that's what I've always used.

 

already too late for me, but at the time the dude said there wasn’t any Pinkertons or ppgs available for my year. Perhaps it was just a out of stock thing vs a discontinuation but who knows

 

I'd like to know more about this. It's a nightmare trying to see through glass when the sun is coming over the horizon in the morning and you're driving toward it on the highway. 10x more so when your glass is pitted from years of abuse.

 

Even though my build thread that was linked above mentioned that I replaced my windshield with Vitro glass… it isn’t. It’s Fuyao.

I requested Vitro glass, and was told that Vitro glass was installed, but a month later I noticed the little ‘Fuyao’ label in the corner. I called the shop and they apologized, said it was a mix up, and refunded part of the cost. At that point I didn’t want to deal with getting it replaced with Vitro.

6 months later though, it’s been just fine. I was worried that I’d notice the low quality of the glass, but I really don’t. I think OP is right, it can come down to the quality/skill of the installer.

 

I just bought a used 2022 Platinum with HUD and auto wipers. HUD is blurry and auto wipers aren’t working.
I looked at the windshield and it’s a Fuyou, which must indicate that it’s been replaced.

The truck is still under warranty, so I’m gonna tell the dealer to figure it out and hope they replace with OEM glass.

 

Yes, it sounds like it was sent to Safelite for replacement. There has been quite a few 22/23's that have had windshield replacements.