Jeep Wrangler windshield: Factory glass or glass company?
Is there a difference between getting a factory windshield over getting one from a reputable glass company? Someone told me there was, someone else told me the only difference is the factory one will say Jeep on it.
StarGirl
on February 8th, 2012
First off, no one is going to care if it is DOT approved on a wrangler. It is not a structural peice of the vehicle like it is on my cherokee. The factory ones suck, we have gone through 2, a rock shattered one, and the owners thumb shattered the other… (also we shattered one installing it into a cj…) We are currently installing a peice of Plexi on the wrangler. You can get a sheet and cut it yourself or have a custom glass/plastic shop do it. It will last a lot longer and not chip/shatter. And since it is not structural it wont matter if it is DOT approved. Plus it will be a lot stronger than a glass one. The glass ones on wranglers are just a single sheet. They are not sandwiched(2 sheets with a liquid imbetween) like on normal vehicles.
NaughtyNinja
on February 8th, 2012
no different in glass just cost and emblem. all glass has to meet dot standards you could even get on from the junk yard
Cocktail
on February 8th, 2012
The biggest difference is the price. Just be sure to use a reputable glass company that will guarantee no leaks. Also, make sure that it has the “safety glass” wording on it from the glass factory.
CheeseCake
on February 8th, 2012
Most factory glass is produced by glass companies like PPG which is where auto glass companies get their’s—no real difference except markup price. Some auto glass companies do use inferior glass from outside sources like Mexico or foreign suppliers so if you go with a glass company, make sure they use PPG glass or equivalent and are ISO 9002 certified or better to install. Most modern unibody vehicles use the windshield as a structural part of the vehicle and it needs to be installed with the proper methods and materials to perform as intended.
CrispApple
on February 8th, 2012
The glass is the same.
More important is the skill of the installer. Some glass companies will have installers with more experience since all they do is install glass.
StarbucksCoffee
on February 8th, 2012
To my knowledge no Car manufacturer makes their ‘own’ glass. I install windshields for a living and they all have to be to a D.O.T. standard .The only difference in a ‘factory’ glass is it will have the car makers name on it.Usually above the glass makers own name i.e. PPG, Pilkington etc. We actually get windshields from our supplier with the car name ‘buffed’ off as we are not allowed to sell ‘Dealer parts’!
Sunburst
on February 8th, 2012
Who cares, you can get a windshield sooo much cheaper at a junkyard
Sarah
on February 8th, 2012
factory will say crylser on it. after market identical except for the name
aftermarket about 240.00 installed
sahara
on August 19th, 2010
I did work for a windshield company and at that time we were making windshields for jeep , Oem (original equipment) and arg (replacement part) is made at the same place and are all laminated you can’t put a single layer of glass, it will shatter if broken.
vinod kumar sabharwal
on July 28th, 2011
very useful information on installation of wind shield glass.