Ok, now that I now have an "L" im FULL of questions. First off I want to say what a damn truck. MOST AMAZING THING EVER. Ok sorry. I havent owned it more than a couple of hours, still giddy. Anyway, my L has a tint already added to it on all 3 windows, but i dont see any signs of (how do i put this) a film applied to the window. It looks like the winow was tinted from the inside?? Ive had tint before, and i can see where the installed the film. Anyway, can i go darker, is this a real film or what? Im lost and confused.

-Alan

 

I see that you are going to get a rhino liner. I would strongly suggest looking into line-x. It is much tougher than what rhino lining sprays on. Rhino has a mushy texture to it while line-x is alot tougher. I have never seen any problems with line-x while I have seen a few Rhino liners that have peeled off from the bed in places from normal use.

 

My window tint guy told me if you go to dark you not only get the monetary fine, it's a moving violation! That's Washington state though. But still that's stupid to up someones insurance rates for tint. When you take it in your tint guy should be able to tell you the laws, matter of fact if I woulda gone to dark I had to sign a waiver taking responsability!

 

let me clarify...it appears that the tint on my windows is a factory tint. It is not dark at all, more smoke than anything. I've tinted my other trucks before and always stayed legal, but the tint i have now is WAY less than that. I was wondering if the stock Lightings had a "smoke" tint? I want to go more, but for sure not more than legal...i try to abide by all laws where i live...cops here in San Antoino are real ******'s

-alan


P.S. About the spray in liner...I havent really looked into it much, but from what ive heard rhino is a smoother liner vs. linex being an abrasive type. I dont know of anything else to do, i have a factory tonneau, maybe a bedrug? I like how the y look ,any opinons on bedrugs??

 

Tint = OEM rear window

The rear window tint is in the glass. The laminate sandwiched between the two pieces of glass is tinted. The laminate is what makes the glass safety glass. The side windows can be matched very closely to the rear glass.Tint can even be put on the inside of the rear glass to darken it up further if desired but matching the side glass could get you a ticket depending on your state's laws concerning tinting and maximum allowable light blockage. I had my side windows matched to the rear glass on my 02. Technically, the tint is darker than allowed in my state but it is not a high priority with police and have never been stopped with any of my vehicles (5 of them).

 

For most of your "tint" questions go to this website and look around. Even has a page that has info on tint laws in various states. http://www.textint.com/
By the way, your rear slider window is tinted only. Many that tint the side windows to come close to the rear slider go with a " 35% " tint. A very well known brand of tint is LLUMAR.
IF you want to have little or no problems with cops consider going with just 35% on the side windows. In places like Arizona, etc. you could probably go darker. REMEMBER, if you tint to dark you will have trouble seeing out of the vehicle at night when say you go to look out the rear view mirror, the side mirrors or just try to look out when it is dark! Again, 35% gives you a decent tint without the headaches. Consider the LLUMAR brand as it holds up well and is backed very good by the manufacturer. Be sure to ask around lots in your hometown area in regard to a good place to get the tint done as there are many that do a lousy job on tint. Get it done right! Oh, in my area it is about $30 for a side window to be tinted with 35% LLUMAR by the best place in town.

 

Spray liners regardless of brand name and plastic bedliners in my opinion take away from the look/style/appearance of a truck like the Lightning. IF you must have one of these liners cause it is a work truck I guess you would call it then go for it otherwise settle for nothing less then a "BEDRUG" in your L. For good price on a BEDRUG and the BEST customer service go to http://www.chikenearsengineering.com/index.htm

 

If your tint inhibits your ability to see another car on the road, or block a large percentage of your viewing area, then it should rightfully be used against you for insurance.

 

I've never really heard of someone getting in an accident over tint, but I'm sure I should get a ticket for cell phone use (some city's do) and I will take the stereo out right away cause' I have heard of people messing with it and getting into a wreck that way! Kidding , it's not like it's a Honda!

 

And my guess is you have not ridden in a vehicle with heavy tint like say "limo tint". Tint can cause viewing problems especially at night in places that are not brightly lighted. View problems can cause accidents. For example, backing up at night and you can't see the car behind you and... bang! Of course you could open up the slider when you back up....

 

Do you by chance have a pick of your truck w/ a 35% tint or any truck?

 

YES, had my new '03 L side windows done when I bought the truck in May. Went with 35% LLUMAR. The 35% on my side windows is very close in tint darkness compared to the stock rear slider window. Contemplated going a little darker on the side AND rear slider but tint guy cautioned me about local leos (cops) and how they enforce the tint laws. NY has fairly strict tint related laws. Can tell you the 35% is enough for me. Maybe if in Arizona or such I would go darker. The 35% tint does my Dark Shadow Gray Lightning justice! OH, I have had no problems from any leos thus far. Pics below sorry about size guys!

 

Just get 5% on the sides.

I have that now and about to add another layer of 20% since it is too light for me.

 

Note.... numbers like 5% , 20%, 35%, add so many % can be confusing for those not familar with tint. Research and see in person (not a pic) a sample of % of tint on a car or truck BEFORE you have that % applied!

 

Forgot to mention that when you have the side and rear windows tinted the untinted front window appears tinted as the others do.. Most states do not allow tinting of front window or allow 6in. from top down tinted. Check your state laws.