First, an update. Thanks to everyone here, now 213k miles 08 RX350 is running like a sewing machine after valve cover gasket, vvti solenoid o-rings, toyota Iridium plugs, transmission filter/gasket + 50% ATF replacement, rear diff / transfer case GL5 + diff breather, rebuilt Denso alternator (failed one disabled the car), 5w-30 Havoline synth blend. No visible fresh leaks after gradually cleaning up the oily grime on various part of the engine+front drivetrain.

But a windshield cracked developed 2 weeks after returning the car to the owner. Can't imagine anything I did based on where the crack started (passenger side windshield below the cowl, no rock chip visible or by feel along the entire line of crack. I did remove both wiper arm planning to remove cowl for valve cover gasket job but managed without and put the arms back. Didn't need to pry the arms off so no stress on glass below the plastic cowl and of course gently put the arm/wipers back (learned from past to NEVER leave the spring loaded arm standing up without the blade haha, easily flips down and crack the windshield)

When jacking up the car, I jack up the center subframe point and gently lower onto stands on both front stand placement points below the rocker arm. I think even made sure # of notches on the stand was identical on both sides.

During online research, I do read quite a bit of gen2/gen3 RXs cracking on its own starting at the edge of glass. Just wondering if this is a common observation? Don't know if this glass is OEM (don't have the car) The crack starting from below the cowl has a height gap between 2 sides of the crack. Can see it and felt with finger which is what lets me to ask if it chassis strain per other occurrences.

 

Where you able to find a Denso replacement that fit, or did you just rebuild the stock alternator? The task of rebuilding the stock alternator appeals to me as it sounds cost effective vs. just tossing it for a reman or new

As for the cracked windshield...
Never had it happen on my Highlander, or my two RXs. I jack my car up on one side all the time too, compared to my friend's 2011 RAV4 the chassis is a lot stiffer. The rear starts lifting up too, and I can still open and close the doors easily - on the RAV, the doors don't want to open or close! My Highlander's glass was about 15 yo until a big rock put it out of its misery, by then there were so many micro chips in it that all the light would refract back into your eyes at night.

Unfortunately the PO replaced my windshield so it is not OEM, but a good way to tell if the glass is OEM is to see the brand stamped on it. For the NA-made RXs, it should be Pilkington (As it is for our 2014 NA-made RX), and some Japanese Lexus cars will have either AGC Automotive, Lamipane and a few others I'm forgetting. PGW and Pilkington make high-quality aftermarket ones for our cars I'm pretty sure. Do note that some of the aftermarket windshields will not have the heater element where the wipers go, so it might be worthwhile to confirm first before replacement. The cable for it can be located on the driver side cowl area near where the strut mounts to the tower.

My RX350 has a Fuyao FW2390 windshield on it from the PO. It's probably not double pane like an 07-09 RX windshield comes from the factory. A bit of wind noise vs. other 2nd gen RX I've driven - it is also not heated.

 

ebay rebuilder sent me another one that fits ( alternator thread post #22 ) but the bushing opening was 34.5mm and had to be opened up to fit. My guess is some 2gr-fe has ~34.5mm alternator mount rather than my 35.5mm so if harvesting from another 2grfe, need to check the alternator ear width and were it mounts on your 2grfe to confirm fitment.

Thanks for the note on quality and heating element. Poor college student is just going to go with cheap for an old car. Here is the price difference today in Seattle region : $220 Safelite installed with $60 off coupon. $600+ OEM glass.