Living in the California desert makes driving any vehicle a misery after it's been in the sun a bit. By "a bit" I, of course, mean the second I pull it out of the garage! I have one of those silver window shades to help a little while it sits in a parking lot but I'm tired of cruising the interstate with the AC cranked full blast and the sun frying my thigh because the vent won't hit it just right! It's time to tint those windows!! Now for my question. For those of you with tinted windows out there what did you pay? I have the rear slider on my SCab but haven't decided if I'm going to tint over the rear section. The factory tint seems adequate so I may just tint the doors to match. I know all about California tint laws but as I am in the military and the vehicle is registered in Georgia I'm willing to take a chance. Having never had my windows tinted before what should I look for when I choose a shop to do the work? I've heard good things about a local shop so I'll probably go with them. They quoted me $125 to do all the windows in my Taurus but I haven't called about the truck yet. Does this seem reasonable?

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Stock Stuff:
Y2K SCab 4X4, Chesnut Metallic, 5.4L, 3.55 Limited Slip, Skid Plates, Factory AM/FM/CD, 40/60 Split Bench, Sliding Rear Window, Towing Package and Keyless Entry.

Extras so far:
305/70X16 GY Wrangler AT's on American Eagle Series 146 chrome wheels.

Future plans:
Airbox mod/FIPK, Cat back or custom exaust system, spray in liner, stainless step bars, hood deflector, chip? we'll see.

 

Will that shop give you names of customers so you can ask them how good a job they did?? And do you get any kind of warrenty???

 

Tina,
The tint is warranteed for as long as I own the vehicle. If it ever fades, bubbles, cracks or anything like that they will redo it for free. As I am in the military I asked if I left the area would they pay for another shop to fix any problems. They told me if that happens they will reimburse me the cost of the initial job from them only. I figured this was fair. A buddy of mine had his tundra done there a couple weeks ago and it really looks sharp. I guess that's proof enough huh?

 

Personally, I hesitate to tint car/truck windows any more than what comes from the factory. The extra tinting is great when it's sunny, but at night? Forget it! Try backing up in the dark, especially if there's a light in front of the truck and none in the back. All you see when looking to the rear is the reflection of the vehicle's interior! You're at the mercy of the side mirrors and if you tint the front windows, you might have to lower both windows in certain situations.

Even when backing out of my driveway, I can't turn my headlights on because the light reflecting off the garage door blinds my vision thru the rear glass and I just have the factory privacy tint.

Anyway, just thought I'd post about a negative with dark tinted windows that others may not think about.

 

Dennis,
I know what you're saying but it's not an option out here. It's 115 in the shade for almost half the year. It's worth putting the window down at night to see backing up. I can always open the rear slider as well. Thanks for the opinion though!

I made an appointment for this weekend. I'll post before and after pics for those thinking about tinting theirs.

[This message has been edited by onemilmhz (edited 08-22-2000).]

 

A good comprimise is to put on a light tint.
I put on a 30% tint and it made it WAY cooler without making it too dark at night.
it blocks 99% of UV rays also
I think much of the heat comes from UV rays.

 

The shop finally opened and quoted me $120 for the whole thing or $50 for just the doors. Sounds pretty good to me.

 

Got mine done at Alta Mere window tinting for 109.99 + tax. Llumar Pro-Shield, lifetime (yeah right) warranty.

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2000 F-150 XLT Sport, Silver 4-door Supercab StyleSide
Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires, 3.55 R, 4.6l V8, Auto (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player, 60/40 Split bench dark graphite

Mods So Far
K&N Filter, Gatorback Spray-In Bedliner, Llumar ProShield Window Tint
WMS Velocity Tube, Black Westin Step Bars

Future Plans
Superchip, Upgraded Speakers/Stereo
FlowMaster Exhaust

 

Hey one -
I had mine tinted just the way you are talking - to match the driver/passenger windows with the rest of the truck and let me say it looks good, plus it is WAY cooler driving - I am from GA too so you know it gets "hott'r than a goats butt in a pepper patch" here and now I'm crusin in comfort...bytheway, the tint is ~18-20% from the factory and yes it is technically "illegal", but just don't give em a reason to stop you and you usually don't have a problem...mine cost 75 for both, it only took the guy 15 minutes (he knew his stuff) and I say goforit, you will love it!!!!!

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2000 F150 4x4 Lariat SuperCab
5.4L V8, ORP, Tow Pkg, Lthr Captain Chairs
Plain Black w/o trim color
Mods so far:
-20% tint (drivers/passgrs windows to match factory tint)
-United Welding Service solidlid toolbox w/rails
-Herculiner (love it)