Bumping this old-ish thread..

Safelight will install OE glass is you ask. You’re only on the hook for the difference in cost. $42 out of pocket for them to use a Toyota windshield on my wife’s RAV4. Total was ~$1400.

(Just bought my RCF and I’m scrolling through pages of old threads)

 

I actually just had my windshield replaced last week by Safelite. I requested OE glass and they got it approved through insurance.

One thing to keep in the back of your mind if anyone has to do this in the future - be proactive and have them order new moulding clips (5x per side) and probably new mouldings as well. These are the black pieces on the exterior left and right side of the windshield. The clips are plastic and pretty much break when you pop off the moulding. The guy that did my windshield thought he was slick and tried to glue the moulding down but it came right off when I pulled on it lightly. Basically it didn't look secure and it had some "give" when I pressed down on it. They admitted it immediately and ordered new mouldings and clips, but now I have to drive around with a missing part off the front of my car until the parts arrive. Minus the trim, the glass installation seems fine. Might be a while before I drive in the rain to verify the auto-wiper is working correctly though.

I'm guessing annoying little things like this make the case for just having it done at a dealership. Sure dealerships sub out their glass work, but theoretically parts will be easier to grab.

 

^^^^Moldings should always be replaced with new glass installation - Safelight should have known better

 

I don't have any EXP with my RC-F, but I went to Safe-lite thru my insurance, ( Farmers) on my Supra. It took about two weeks to get the windshield due to the age of the car, but once they got it in , they came to the house and did it in my garage. Now the Supra has a few clips that like to break and are really difficult to come across, and the managed to replace the windshield with out breaking any and the installation was perfect, Same for my Tundra.

 

^^^^ I guess it really comes down to the tech that actually does the work. Mine was done at an actual Safelite location. After pointing out the issue, the tech told the lady at the desk to order the extra parts and when he mentioned he tried to glue down the trim the two other techs in the office had the funniest look of disgust. Like, "why would you even try that?"