@KastYourself the links Hannibal provided are really informative. And Geoffrion7 is about spot on with the actual cost. The amount of labor and parts that go into an FJ’s windshield replacement is far above average.
It’s not so much that companies like safelite auto glass are bad. It’s just simply, does the actual tech working on your FJ have the experience and required parts to do the job right.
You can get a really good feel for a shops knowledge just by asking them to go over the quote with you. Example, if they tell you you’re just paying for glass and labor, you don’t want them working on your FJ. Same as if they tell you it’s just glass and the upper molding.
Ideally you want a shop that goes over all the required parts in their quote. You should see the upper molding, side clips along with the glass, and if needed the rubber trim at the base of the windshield. As a lot are dry rotted, or aren’t included with premium glass. You want them to be familiar with the vehicle, and telling you what’s needed. Not you explaining it to them.
To give you an example of how difficult FJ windshields really can be to do correctly. Take a look at this video. You’ll notice even as careful as this tech was, he still broke two clips on the upper molding. And while the video is only 20mins long, you can tell it took him several hours to complete the job. It’s a bright afternoon when he starts, early evening when he finished. Ask yourself, do you honestly think anyone would take that much care to do it right, even with aftermarket parts for anything under $500. If you read the comments you’ll actually see tech’s thanking him for making the video because they have never done an FJ windshield replacement... that says a lot.
Here in Houston, I’d personally go to SafeTech Auto Glass. It’s a local glass shop that does the glass for some of the major Toyota dealers here in Houston... as dealerships don’t typically do glass themselves. Most have shops do it for them. I’ve talked with Austin, the owners son. He’s beyond knowledgeable about FJ’s and very nice. It’s not the cheapest price, but from talking with him I feel it’ll be done right.
Safe Tech Auto Glass
Austin Kilber, Operations Manager
main# 281-246-4444
cell# 713-398-6167
[email protected]
