Well after getting my windsheild beat up over the last 6 months it is time to put a new one in I have about 4 or 5 rock chips and a crack on the pass. side that is about to hit the bottom.
Question here is Is there anything special about the windshields in these trucks. There is a guy near where I live that will put one in and waive the deduct. I guess I should prolly get a tinted one I don't know what the flavors are?

 

You really should get a tinted windshield. They will come in all kinds of "flavors", some will have a green or blue shade across the top, some just tinted without the shade "band". Most glass, whether aftermarket, or non OEM, is manufactured by the same companies, so the quality is the same.

My biggest concern would be the installer....they have alot of "backyard/shadetree" types that will not use the correct methods. Make certain that the installer uses the proper urethane materials. Butyl tape is NOT to be used under ANY circumstances. They should also be using a two (2) part adhesive urethane that will set in about an hour. This is true ESPECIALLY if your vehicle is equipped with an airbag. They should also carefully inspect your windshield's "bed" , or the pinchweld that it sits on. ANY corrosion in this area will most likely find its way out onto your roof or pillars in the future. In addition, rust will cause leaks of all kinds, not to mention the failure of the glass to keep you in the passenger compartment in the event of an accident.

As far as the deductable is concerned.....the glass industry as a whole is a nasty business. Some insurance companies demand 75% off list price! Then allow only an hour for labor, so much for the installation kit....yada,yada. I basically got out of the glass business due to insurance companies and their policies.

 

Something I learned not long ago that was new to me and made a lot of sense was to leave a window cracked open for a few days after a new windshield. Slamming the door closed with the windows all up can create a pressure surge in the cab blowing out the uncured window adhesive causing a leak.

 

Bill,

Absolutely correct.....however, with the numbers of vehicles with airbags, the new two part adhesives cure in about an hour. They were developed just in case someone had their windshield replaced and proceeded to run into a pole, or a norwegian, italian . Anyway, civil lawsuits resulted because lots of vehicles airbags deflect off the front windshield. When the OLD single part urethane exsisted, the windshield would, like you stated, just push out, resulting in the possible ejection of the occupants.

You are correct sir, if the company does NOT use a fast curing, two part adhesive, by ALL means, leave the window cracked to avoid pressure buildup in the cab when shutting the doors.

 

Pretty much what happened to my windshield. Passenger side actually DROPPED 3/16" and started whistling and leaking like a bugger. Bought the truck slightly used and that was not the windshield from the factory. Had the windshield pulled, reinstalled properly and $100 later no problems. Make sure whoever is doing your windshield install actually knows what they are doing - there are a lot of guys out there, whether it's mechanics, contractors, or glass guys that dont have a clue.....

 

Most new vehicles have a pressure release system anyway. My 2001 does. You can hear it flap when you shut the door. It is built into the back door on the drivers side.


Just FYI

 

Magnum's concerns regarding corrosion can't be stressed enough. I had a "mobile company" install a windshield on another vehicle and found out too late they scraped the paint while cutting out the old windshield. With the salt used during winter here in MN, it only took 3 years for the rust to spread across the entire top of the windshield. Fixing this mess will cost more than you can ever save from cutting the installation costs. Just my .02....

 

ive found you get what you pay for when it comes to glass. had a new safelite put in i gopt arock chip within a couple days. replaced under warrenty got more rock chips, and all kinds of pitts within a yr. funny that the factory glass last 10 yrs/130,000 miles. btw the guy that quoted meprice with factory glass told me i wouldnt be happy with a cheapo.

jed

 

Man I never knew so much about a windsheild. I'm glad I asked and thanks for the heads-up. I'll bet this was a new windsheild when I bought the truck it had 56,000 when I bought it and the windsheild was perfect. After I put 9,500 on it it has all these chips and the crack.