Gen 3 Windshield Replacement

[EricM]

The Ford glass is quieter in the rain than the cheaper aftermarket glass.

 

[FoxNotch]

May depend on your insurance provider too, I will always choose OEM and pay the difference if I have to.

 

[BigTaco]

And are you saying, and I never heard of that thus why I’m asking, that most, all, some, or the insurance company you use, offer that? I’ve only been insuring vehicles for 50 years and I’ve never been offered nor heard of that option. Not saying you are wrong, just wish to be educated.

Yes,
It is a more expensive option that you can request of your carrier. I have used this option for the past 20 years.

 

[RamseyF]

Hey FRF,
Has anyone replaced their windshield yet on a Gen 3?

I have a large scratch on mine directly in front of the driver line of sight and filed a claim through GEICO. During the claim process they only asked 2 questions, 1) Is this a LIMITED or a PLATINUM trim? and 2) Is the damage longer than a dollar bill? I marked yes to the first question because I figured it was asking due to the camera features offered on the raptor.

They automatically set up an appointment with a safelite rep and they reached out to me to confirm my appointment. Of course GEICO is not going to cover an OEM glass replacement so I'm going to consider paying for this out of pocket as I'd prefer OEM. Anyone have any rough ideas of what this should cost? I'd assume that a recalibration will be needed with the new windshield due to the nannies. Any advice would be greatly appreciated before I get taken to the cleaners.

I had mine replace a month ago they told me just because of supply chain issues that oem was only thing available. I have State Farm and they said they'd only pay for oem if its the only thing available. I went to my local place to get the glass done and they just have to tell the insurance company thats all they can get at the moment. its all a game. its your choice who you have do it. they can't force you to go where they decide. but if the repair place won't help you out then id pay the extra or find somewhere else. your choice

 

[New recaros]

I guess you don’t believe the specs on the windshield. Get Gorilla glass

F-150 Owners Can Upgrade to Super-strong Gorilla Glass Windshield - Ford-Trucks.com

New F-150 windshield from Hyperformance is super strong but not cheap at $900. It could greatly reduce the need for new windshields.

www.ford-trucks.com

 

[smurfslayer]

Safe lite is fine and will also push, and successfully, for OEM glass on a new/same model year truck. I went through 3 windshields on my Gen2s, all with Geico, zero deductible, and the recal was included.

I guess all things are relative. I tried to use the Alexandria, VA safelite... 4 times? maybe 3. the first 2 times were
1) scheduling was 4 MONTHS out for a remote replacement and 2 weeks for a scheduled replacement. You could walk in, but have to get there in the first 30 minutes or you get pushed. Had a local shop do it within 2 days.
2) Tried to schedule again for another windshield. both of these were wife’s vehicle. This time they were 6 months out for scheduled remote replacement. Again went local.
3) busted the Rap windshield back in ’20. Stupidly, called safelite again.
They schedule me for the same week ... something must be wrong. I give them VIN, year, make, model warn them it’s not a peasant F150, but a Raptor, different glass. “Yes Mr. Slayer, we have the glass, see you tomorrow"
You probably know how this story ends already.

No, in fact they don’t have the Raptor windshield.
Locals come out the same week, replace with OEM glass.

4) This one takes the cake. Busted the windshield on the causeway bridge to S. Padre Island. It was a HARD hit, loud as heck and instantly put a 2 foot crack in the windshield. I get home, schedule with them about 5 days out. Drive the stupid distance to some in town shop, drop off with the assurance it will be done by 3.
It’s not done by 3. Or 4. Or 5. Time is a wasting. I left work early, range closes at 7. It’s 5 and they are JUST finishing up getting the windshield seated. I’m like “great, I got to go, let’s transact"
In a comedic exchange, they tell me they can’t release the truck until the camera is calibrated, come back Saturday.

“Oh yes you will release the truck to me or I’ll take it back.”
The excuses change 3 times before the manager sends the tech into the truck to do the recal. This is not necessary about 95% of the time and wasn’t the last time I had the Rap windshield done.

Mgr comes out while I’m dialing up the county sheriff’s office and assures me, they’re doing the calibration now and it will be 10 minutes.
It was 17 minutes, not that anyone was counting.

So I don’t exactly have a positive experience with safelite to relay. Go elsewhere, to a local shop and support your local economy, not some faceless mega-corp.

simple. The insurance contract/policy says they may substitute parts of equal value/performance. If it's a few year old car, you can bet you'll get an aftermarket windshield.

exactly. You can pay the difference in most cases. For me, it was 700 for Jen Too OEM glass both times.

The Ford glass is quieter in the rain than the cheaper aftermarket glass.

really?
I don’t know what busted the factory windshield, but whatever it was, it was weak. Now, that replacement OEM piece took a solid hit. Noise in the rain was not something I’d expect to be a downside ...

 

[wyomingraptor]

I know a little bit about auto glass replacements. Been retired and sold the biz 5 years ago.

40 years in the business. 23 years owning my own shop, 10 year stretch at the corporate shop management.

Here are the facts. You can take your car anywhere.
I billed safelite for many jobs daily.

Another secret is when you call the claim phone number on the back of your insurance card. You are talking to safelite and there job is to keep the replacement in house.

The procedure I recommend is to find out who the best technician and shop in town is. I want to know who is
Working on my baby. Stop by and check them out. If you are not sure ask the best body shop. They know! Do not ask a car salesman they know the cheapest in town.

Ask them to bill safelite for OEM car lite glass. Most professional glass shops recalibrate the safety systems. They are great money makers too. Go with the shop your gut feels good about. When they see a Raptor they know how we feel about these pickups. Bottom line I want to know who I wrenching on my car and home. Support the professionals. Good luck!

 

[GTTXRAP]

I guess you don’t believe the specs on the windshield. Get Gorilla glass

F-150 Owners Can Upgrade to Super-strong Gorilla Glass Windshield - Ford-Trucks.com

New F-150 windshield from Hyperformance is super strong but not cheap at $900. It could greatly reduce the need for new windshields.

www.ford-trucks.com

Two year breakage warranty is strong.

 

[EricM]

really?
I don’t know what busted the factory windshield, but whatever it was, it was weak. Now, that replacement OEM piece took a solid hit. Noise in the rain was not something I’d expect to be a downside ...

Yes, they say Soundscreen on them. It's accoustic glass, Carlite makes it. Rain makes a nice subdued plop noise instead of a sharp smack noise.

I have OEM glass in most of my Fords, and some PPG crap repalcement on another and I can easily tell the difference in the rain.

 

[smurfslayer]

Two year breakage warranty is strong.

Try to actually get Gorilla glass for a Rap. I dare you. I double dare you.
I’ve tried 3 times now and struck out each time. It’s specifically marked on the glass, and I have not been able to find it in stock since 2019. Not looking every day mind you but I don’t know anybody with it, I know of anybody F150 or Raptor with it or anyone who can get it.
@wyomingraptor ?

Yes, they say Soundscreen on them. It's accoustic glass, Carlite makes it. Rain makes a nice subdued plop noise instead of a sharp smack noise.

I have OEM glass in most of my Fords, and some PPG crap repalcement on another and I can easily tell the difference in the rain.

I may have read something about this in my many, futile searches for gorilla glass. After the first OEM glass went, I was thinking “meh... I didn’t even take a hard hit, maybe aftermarket not so bad.” But since safelite misled me, I found the locals who hooked me up with OEM and I went with it.

I’m kind of glad after that SPI causeway incident. Me and the Mrs. jumped out of our skin. I’d guess it was a quarter sized rock or smaller, flung up from the truck in front of us. We were doing 50-55 at the time.
I didn’t regret having the OEM glass that day.