I got a pretty bad crack about 24 inches across.

what's my best economical option?
Is a dealer install recommended vs a local shop?
thinking about the road noise.

thank you

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ton-glass.html

 

Never Safelite. Find a local company that does pilkington. Probably the best bet if you don't want to go OEM

 

i have Pilkington on my LX 470 and PGW on my LS. LX went through 3 OEM windshields in 3 yrs. Glass has the best clarity but is very brittle (Toyota/Lexus glass). Both the Pilkington and PGW have been hit by debris that would have easily chipped or cracked OEM glass w/o cracking. Since the car is old, I’d go with Pilkington or PGW again.

 

Pilkington availability was NIL in Arizona, as stated in the other thread. All places pushing the Chinese glass. I found a place that had PGW and went with it. Looks fine.

 

2001 with 93,000 miles on it. Had the windshield replaced by Safelite 2 years ago after debris cracked it. Less than a month later, got hit again with debris, resulting in a quarter sized crack. Driving on the freeways here in Southern California, I can't see spending $1,000+ on a windshield that might not last a week. The windshield replacement cost ~$390, the crack fix ~$150. Both of these repairs were done at my home, pleasant technicians, overall great experiences with Safelite. Several repairs by Safelite over the years on a 4Runner, GX460, RS300, Prius, etc. No leaks on any of these vehicles.

 

With this aging LS430 platform pretty soon there will be no availabilty of OEM Lexus windshield mouldings - that is what happened to me with Safelight - My antique Infiniti (1999 q45) is difficult to find parts and if Safelight does not have availability to get the windshield molding you are out of luck with them. I called them to schedule and explained the year of the car and model and they said we have the parts. Drove there to Safelight on the scheduled day and the counter person went in the shop to check on the delivery of the windshield and came back. The tech went out to inspect my car and came back to tell me they dont have the parts to install the windshield. They said they would call back. ( nope - they didn't) I drove to the Safelight location 2 days later ( you cant get a real person on the phone ) and asked about the vehicle and was told no parts and we can't install. I then called another glass installer (national company) and after speaking with the rep they also said the same thing - no parts - I see this name in this thread - Pilkington - is this a glass installer or a type of glass windshield? I will check it out - thx - Btw - my 2004 LS430 has a good windshield - thank goodness and I hope it stays that way. I know this is an old thread but if anyone has value-add please chime in- thx

 

You all need to relax about safelight glass if it works in my 21 LX570 it will work for a 20 year old 430.

 

Haha - I agree with he LET IT GO on Pilkington - these are great old cars. I had several 430 windshields changed over the years in my cars. Biggest PITA was getting the LEXUS OEM gel pad replaced. I think every time, the auto wiper sensor didn't work, even after I pointed out the right gel pad is required.

So they come back later with the OEM gel and voila they work.

I did safelite or similar last time. - Tier 2 Glass is just fine for my DD, car is still quiet and life goes on :-)

 

I'm working on getting my insurance to go for a Lexus windshield, right now, for my '06 LS430. . No Pilkington distributor in Washington County, Utah.

 

I had my new, genuine Lexus windshield installed and I am very pleased!

 

I am curious if it is exactly like the original with no tint or uv protection? From Lexus is this old stock or still being made? There is a big difference today vs when my 2001 was made.

 

The Window (Monroney) sticker on my 2006 LS430 specifies Lexus Solar UV reducing and Lexus Imbedded water repellent windshield and front windows.

My new windshield has the Lexus logo . And the top is lightly tinted, bluish in color.

 

Thanks...The 2001 does not have that. Are your side windows tinted at all as mine has none.

 

Only factory tint. Id like to get perhaps 20% light transmission (LT) on the rear backlite, 35% LT on the rear side windows and what (?) 40 percent LT on the two front side windows. I did that on my two, 1996 Impala SS's , my 1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC and my 1995 Buick Roadmaster Sedan. (All sold and gone, now)

When I was reinstalling my Lexus console, I was sitting in the R front bucket seat. I twisted around to reach back, and my hand tore the perforated leather! I installed new, "Duplicate of original" leather upholstery, from Richmond Auto Upholstery (Texas), on the 2 front buckets.

But I'm concerned that the rear seat upholstery may not survive the installer KNEELING on the 18 year old leather. it is fine for proper sitting.