DIY windshield installation?

[tnjeepguy]

"how many windshields has everyone gone through?"

Five on two TJ's, mostly carelessness on my part. (one was a 15 inch white pine fell on it and poked a limb through the windshield, but the roll bar kept damage to a minimum)

 

[chili_pepper]

I'm not thinking as much about them getting smashed in the wilds

In this case, I wouldn't be surprised to find that someone here keeps spare loaded windshield frames on hand "just in case"....I've seen what some of you people do to your vehicles...

 

[TheBoogieman]

"how many windshields has everyone gone through?"

Five on two TJ's, mostly carelessness on my part.

I've only replaced one (20) Jeeps. I only did that one because @AndyG told me it was too pitted to clean properly.

 

[williambmac]

This was actually one of the reasons for my original post...getting the lowdown on what specific glass and materials people are using. But as not many are doing this...

I fully realize this type of thing isn't for everyone. As well, the speed with which a glass pro can change it out with a warranty, I get it. Don't want it to seem like I'm giving guff to anyone.

I was forced to use Safelite by our auto insurance. They put three windshields in my wife's Grand Cherokee. All three had horrible imperfections in the glass. The outer eight inches on both sides were real wavy/blurry.
After the third windshield I fought with state farm to go elsewhere.

 

[mrblaine]

I was forced to use Safelite by our auto insurance. They put three windshields in my wife's Grand Cherokee. All three had horrible imperfections in the glass. The outer eight inches on both sides were real wavy/blurry.
After the third windshield I fought with state farm to go elsewhere.

The alternative out here just flat out sucks. We had the windshield in Kat's Renegade replaced. 2500 dollars later to the dealer and it is all happy now. I wish I was as well.

 

[CDNTrooper]

Here is the windshield installed

 

[Wildman]

No I dI’d the install on my own, I positioned two suction cups so hold on to it and aligned the side that was closest to me and it went in. You only need two tubes of Urethane and I agree it was bleep to pump that stuff out. One windshield manual no problem but more and I would by an electric caulking gun!

I could have used one more tube of urethane. I didn't have enough to fill my channel in completely.

I've got contact all the way around the glass but it's just not continuous.

 

[AndyG]

I've only replaced one (20) Jeeps. I only did that one because @AndyG told me it was too pitted to clean properly.

Sometimes I have to weigh in to keep from having to write up a violation - non compliant windshield. Just trying to help people.

Boog listens. He’s a champ and non pervert.

I have washed mine ‘til the glass got thin.

AndyG
Forum Compliance Officer

(I always wanted a title. I love this place.)

 

[williambmac]

The alternative out here just flat out sucks. We had the windshield in Kat's Renegade replaced. 2500 dollars later to the dealer and it is all happy now. I wish I was as well

A lot of these glass companies lack the ability to do some of the required programming after the windshield replacement. I know Audi charges close to 3k on some of their vehicles for a windshield replacement. They also charge up to 6 hours labor time just to recalibrate the adaptive cruise control.
The other issue is the aftermarket glass doesn't play well with the adaptive functions and the forward camera.

 

[KennethS]

My insurance has glass coverage standard so a windshield replacement is no additional cost for me. The plus is it has been done in the parking lot at work, so no additional effort on my part.

 

[Wildman]

Actually, @Jerry Bransford remarks raised something I've wondered about, how many windshields has everyone gone through? And I'm not thinking as much about them getting smashed in the wilds, more so from use on the roads. I love the view but these things seem like they're just asking to get chipped and cracked.

When I was DD my TJ I went thru a new windshield about every other year or every 3rd year. And if I had to replace it I always waited until July or August to make sure most of the rocks were cleaned off the roads.
And it NEVER failed that as soon as I had a new windshield within 3 months I'd pickup at least one new rock chip.
The windshield I replaced had been in the Jeep for 5 years but had been cracked for 4 of those years but the cracks were initially on the passenger side so they didn't affect my view of the trail.

A lot of these glass companies lack the ability to do some of the required programming after the windshield replacement. I know Audi charges close to 3k on some of their vehicles for a windshield replacement. They also charge up to 6 hours labor time just to recalibrate the adaptive cruise control.
The other issue is the aftermarket glass doesn't play well with the adaptive functions and the forward camera.

You can't start adding in technology fuckery into this discussion. Obviously most new vehicles will require a qualified technician to do the replacement. But none of this applies to a TJ windshield.

My insurance has glass coverage standard so a windshield replacement is no additional cost for me. The plus is it has been done in the parking lot at work, so no additional effort on my part.

Mine is an additional fee but it's only like $7 per every 6 months. But my TJ has been INOP for over 10 years so I currently don't have any insurance on it. So if I'd wanted/could have had someone come do the replacement for me it would have been out of pocket.
With State Farm there is also a $100 deductible.

 

[Apparition]

With State Farm there is also a $100 deductible.

That’s your State Farm, mine doesn’t charge a deductible.

 

[Wildman]

That’s your State Farm, mine doesn’t charge a deductible.

Must be different by state or region?

 

[mrblaine]

A lot of these glass companies lack the ability to do some of the required programming after the windshield replacement. I know Audi charges close to 3k on some of their vehicles for a windshield replacement. They also charge up to 6 hours labor time just to recalibrate the adaptive cruise control.
The other issue is the aftermarket glass doesn't play well with the adaptive functions and the forward camera.

I'm aware. I also know that very little of the glass available in the aftermarket is worth owning at any price.

 

[chili_pepper]

But none of this applies to a TJ

One of many reasons I bought mine.

 

[Apparition]

Must be different by state or region?

Probably all depends on what your agent wants to offer.

 

[Moglocker]

Here is the windshield installed

View attachment 441931

Looks good,passenger side fell just a bit.I just closed my 35 year glass co in St. Louis,when we retired to Florida.

 

[williambmac]

You can't start adding in technology fuckery into this discussion. Obviously most new vehicles will require a qualified technician to do the replacement. But none of this applies to a TJ windshield.

Just responding to blaine's statement.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Just responding to blaine's statement.

I thought that was obvious by you quoting him. I must be smarter than I thought.

 

[Wildman]

Just responding to blaine's statement.

Unless I log out I can't see his comments. So sorry didn't know that was why you'd responded.

I thought that was obvious by you quoting him. I must be smarter than I thought.

See above..