pwanghk

Greetings:

I bring my 04 4Runner (bought in Nov 2003) today for VSC TRAC / VSC OFF, Eng Check light up and windshield / dashboard rattling problem for the 4th or 5th time (the tech was unable to locate the crackling noise). After test drive with a technician and start to point out what the noise sound like and where it may locate. I left my truck for servicing.

A service representative call in the afternoon informs me that they finally locate the rattling problem. It comes from a "cowl" (I have no clue what this is). While removing the "cowl" and installing the foam kit the tech cracks my windshield. The serv. rep told me that Toyota doesn't make windshield. He will contact a windshield specialist and will let me know when I have to bring my truck back for replacing the windshield. I ask him "if Toyota doesn't make windshield, how come it has the logo "Toyota Lamipane Nippon" stamped / etched on the glass?". "I don't know. What's your daytime phone number you can be reach at, I will give you a call tomorrow" he replies. Based on this conversation, I assume that the dealer will replace my windshield with a replacement part. What is your opinion about this? If it were you, will you accept replacement part as an alternative? Please correct me if I am wrong but I believe all windshield are not created equal. It could shatter differently at an impact and can become dangerous if it hasn't been manufactured to a specific safety standard. Furthermore, the replacement part may not fit properly and eventually leak in the long run.

Any advice and insight thought would be greatly appreciated.

dwh91102

Not sure about the "factory windshield" why they can't get one. About the safety all windshields have to meet specific standards. Usally the most problems with replacements is there is a chance it could leak. If the window and gasket are installed properly there should be no problem.

ranma21

I will insist on factory part!! There is no way a dealer won able to install a winshield. if they insist having someone to install for you, u can ask for factory part and bring it over to whoever the dealer want you to go. That will ensure you get factory part. Good luck man!

Uneasy Rider

The reason they want to install a non factory w/s in your rig is becaus you can get aftermarket glass for waaaay cheaper. Some insurance companies do the same thing. I would insist on factory glass.

firemedic

I would insist on factory glass installed by a glass specialist. Unless it's a pretty large dealership it is unlikely they have much experience in installing windshields, I'd rather have a pro do it.

rimpainter.com

Call their parts department as an "anonymous caller" and ask if you can order a windshield and who makes it.

jimbo74

dealerships dotn install their own windshields... glass places do.... talk to their guys and make sure toyota will pay for the glass specialist to put an oem one in... they dealership will get billed and they dont have to provide the oem windshield, the glass guy gets and brings the windshield

4-RUNNIN' FREAK

I had to have a windshield replaced on my old car.

$1,300 for OEM glass, $300 installed for junk crap that did nothing but leak.

MAKE SURE you get OEM, insist on it. It is a new truck and they broke it.

Do not let them con you into a cheap, ill-fitting replacement.

pwanghk

Thank you all for your inputs and advices. I will definitely insist to get the factory OEM part.

jc1kz

guys guys factory means factory and 4runners are made in japan all 4runers !!!
if you want factory you will wait uptwards of six months if they will even ship one out for you....all camrys and supra are assembled in america but 4runners are ALL imported to USA.....so accept the windsheild they will replace it with or wait six months to a year.......your call........

firemedic

So they don't stock any parts for the 4runner in the US?

jc1kz

not with the toyota logo in the glass !!

besides so long as it is DOT approved and installed corectly then what the hay? and if the dealership is paying for it, does it make any worse or better
if it has the logo........???

firemedic

It's listed in the OEM parts catalog on www.1sttoyotaparts.com for $270.

jc1kz

I'll just say this and im done on my accident repaired at the dealership with toyota parts the windshield doesn't have the logo like the rest of the rear windows do....you think what you wnat i'm done.....i'm not into pissing contests....

firemedic

I'm just trying to say if it were my practically new truck and the dealer did that, I would want it fixed to pre-damage condition, it is their fault and they are required to fix it, with factory parts if available. Their excuses would mean nothing to me, they would still be required to make it right.

On the other hand if it were my 12 year old 4runner, I would say no big deal w/aftermarket glass.

lee

dude in MA, insurance covers this for free... no upped premiums, etc. my roomate used Giant Glass.

frankenrunner

they would be required, by law, to replace it for free w/an oem one, to bring the vehicle back to the condition that it was when they recieved it, accident or no. hell, they bloody well should volunteer the service.
keeping it "real",
frankenrunner

slammdrider

if it leaks then the person who puts it in is completely stupid it should never leak if properly installed. ive been around winshields since i was five so i know what im talking about. and about the dealership saying they dont make a windshields thats a load of bull all car manufactures make there own glass. they just told u they dont becuase the dont want to spend alot of money replacing your original one. there is no real difference between dealer glass and aftermarket other then the fact that one cost like $1000 dollars more then the other. just tell them that u want it replaced with dealer glass and if they still tell u they dont make it then call the corperation and ask them and they will tell u they do make glass for it. its mostly all about the dealership wanting to save money so they dont have to explain why they had to fork out 1300 dollars.

PirateFins

[QUOTE=slammdrider]and about the dealership saying they dont make a windshields thats a load of bull all car manufactures make there own glass. /QUOTE]


False, all manufactures have a contract with a glass manufacturer to make their glass. The cost is higher for OEM because you are adding several steps to the supply chain, which every little part of the supply chain needs to make a profit on. Here is a little example. Go to your local auto parts store and price a set of NGK spark plugs for your truck, now go to the dealer and price same spark plugs. The cost at the dealer is higher. Why? Because the car company has more overhead incured from buying a stocking the part. Same plug different cost.

nees1212

My windshield in my Tacoma got cracked last year, and I had it replaced through my insurance company. They told me who they recommended, which was a place I was familiar with, so I called them up and setup an appointment for the guy to come to my house to install it. The windshield that he installed had "Toyota" etched in the glass.