Is it just happening to me, or has anyone else noticed that the quality of autoglass is getting worse now? I have had my truck for 13 months now, and have had 4 different windshields in it....new one being installed as I write this. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this. I have had other vehicles, and never went thru windshields like I have with this truck...is it the design of the truck or what?

 

Redwing and I recently talked about how "flat" the windshield on the F-150 is. It's at an angle that kinda leaves it more exposed to projectiles from the road. Haven't seen anything about glass quality issues though.



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all4chem@aol.com
Y2K XLT Supercab Flareside, Oxford White, Medium Graphite, Captains Chairs, 6-Disc, 5.4L, 3.55LS, Tow Pkg, Block Heater, Sliding Glass, Keyless Entry, 5-Spoke Al Wheels, P235/70R-16 OWL Tires, Clear Corner Lenses, Eaglite Plasma Headlights, Al Striker Plates for the rear doors, Oxford White Lund Interceptor, Line-X Liner.
Ordered: 01-17-00
Built: 02-23-00
Delivered: 03-13-00

 

Yes, the quality is getting poorer. We have several other vehicles that are less than 3 years old that have had 3-4 windshields. I have 2 older pickups, one is over 100k and the other is slowly getting to that point. Both have factory windshields and have "stars" but haven't cracked.

The "cheaper" you pay, the "cheaper" the windshields quality is...

 

I've wondered the same thing. My truck is on its 4th windshield, and currently has a nice chip in it. I'm just waiting for winter to come and give us that first -20 degree morning (if we ever have a REAL winter again) to hit the defroster and send a huge crack all the way across. I'll admit this windshield is big, but we have several other vehicles with similar if not more miles, and they're still on the original or second one. For 107,000 miles, I can't complain too much I guess. It may also be all the gravel trucks running to the airport the past two years doing their thing . Maybe we could blame it on George Corporal and his steaks? (Local glass company that gives away a free box of steaks with every windshield)

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1997 F150 XLT, Flareside , Moonlight Blue, 4x2, SC, Auto, 4.6L, 3:08, Moonlight Blue Cargo Cover by Century, Ford Blue Oval reciever hitch plug, 235/70/16 Firestone Wilderness AT's, sliding rear window, captain's chairs, Valvoline Durablend Oil, Purolator Pure One Oil Filter, and 106,000 miles and counting!

 

Not that this is the same subject but. . . I just had a new windshield installed, insurance covered it, I got a $35 check in the mail for having this company install it and they left the invoice in my truck so I got to see what they charge the insurance company. $850! I know you can get good quality windshields for a lot less than that, these companies mark up the prices so much so they can screw the insurance companies. Don't get me wrong, I know that insurance companies screw everybody but if glass companies keep this up then our rates go up.

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98' F-150, Off Road, Short Box, Blue, 4.6, K&N, Auto, Captain Chairs, Dual Exhaust
Alpine CD Player, (2) 10" Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers and a big ol' Arctic Cat
sticker on the rear sliding window!!!!! Soon to be chipped!!!

 

Cruddy new windshields help fund the replacement industry. They can make better ones can't they? ZRracer is right on with the insurance info. Another problem for us is that the installation sealer becomes a airbag safety issue. I believe most people would prefer the factory installation.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

That black urethane caulk they use to install the windshield is tough stuff.....And if the installer is a complete goof and puts too much on or puts it too close to the inside of your truck, it squeezes out inside the glass. Sticks the headliner to it, molding trim, and every damn piece of dust it can find. I really do wish they would use the factory seal.

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Boss™

Just Ordered 2001 F-150 Lariat, Oxford White/Silver 4x4, medium graphite leather, SC, SB, SS, 99L 5.4L, 44E tran, 7700# payload, Class III Tow, 3.73LS, Skids, Capts chairs, 4W disc ABS, shift-on-fly, keyless, HD everything
Planned Mods:
"Protected by Smith&Wesson" sticker, Westin Chromed Stainless Nerf Bars, ARE LS II bed cover, Bedrug™, Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter w/airbox mods, headers, Superchip, 3" body lift with at least 33's, alarm/pager/auto start system, stereo system