Windsheild Replacement

[special-K]

My '95 Suburban needs a windshield. I've always had this done by an auto glass shop on my old trucks. Even today the cost installed is not much more than for me to buy and install. And if I break it I buy another. They break, not my problem. I just checked Safelite and they want $325 installed. That seems high. Is that the best I can do? Do most people do their own now that they are glue-in? I'm considering doing it. I guess removing the old one, and seal is the hardest part. I started to watch a video, but it skipped over the removal so I stopped watching. I'll look for removal ones later. So how did it goe for those who did theirs? Also, maybe we have a glass guy here?

[irvan]

I'm in the same boat, got a small crack and called Safelight and got the same quote on a 91 GMC pickup. Seemed excessive but been a long time since I bought one.

[speedygonzales]

A few years after I had a well known glass shop do mine, the roof started rusting from under the glass. The body shop explained it was a common occurrence when cutting out the old gasket.

The replacement was done by the body shop when they fixed the botched up paint.

My rec is to either do it yourself or have a body shop do it. Obviously one is way more than the other. Good luck not causing rust. Maybe something you google.

[95 S_Trucker]

Call a local glass guy that isn’t affiliated with a big name. Their prices are good.

[irvan]

We just got back from a little vacation in Colorado and a truck kicked up a rock and put a reall nasty spot on our RAV 4 windshield. We are getting it done at the local glass place for about $110.00 less than Safelite quoted.

[b454rat]

friend replaced mine for my old Tahoe. Think it cost me $200 installed....Id shop around...

[1976gmc20]

I had my 1989 done at a "local" place a couple years back for $175 / 2 hrs.

But Billings MT is probably a bit of a drive for you

[special-K]

I know I can get the glas for a bit over $100. I'd rather just 'have' it done. I have plenty to do and they make quick work of it. I used Safelite as an example because I looked them up online. But they used to be at the cheaper end. I have an independent shop who advises on rust, not create it. The one video I started to watch went on about the marks and scratches from a prior replacement and how they cause rust. He took care of it. Seems to be a common problem. So it's just a matter of using a good shopm and making sure you discuss that issur 'prior' to having one.

[Grumpy old man]

I just had my 95 GMC windshield replaced a while back .The neighbors tree fell on it ,No damage but the windshield , I just called around and they came out and replaced it for $190.00 cash ,best deal I could find .

[special-K]

That is fair. I had a chip that I never even noticed, and I clean my windshield every fill-up. Then we had a nice and frigid night. Ah, a nice 6" crack on the passenger side. Then it got real cold again and whoa Nellie she's all the way across!

[shifty]

Had a similar situation. Kept finding water in my floorboards, windshield was partially to blame, was leaking in both corners. Windshield itself was fine, albeit aged, it was original to the truck.

Called Safelite. They quoted me the exact same price as you, $325, they must have a set hour/part cost thing on it.

There's a family that does glass on my street, I see their trucks drive by all the time. Looked up their Yelp reviews and they were really high. So I bit the bullet and called them. He told me straight up over the phone, he'd remove and reinstall for $125 or change out the glass totally for $175 since it was literally two blocks away, as long as I was cool with him doing it at the end of his day.

Justification on pricing was if I went new he didn't need to worry about the hassle of not breaking the glass on removal and he could get it done faster.

He also found a couple of rusted spots along the top even on my truck which has never seen much salt at all, which is where I was leaking. He took time to sand and seal it properly during install. Tipped him nicely on top of it all for going above and beyond.

tl;dr - Look into local shops.

[special-K]

Well, that sound great. I use small local businesses myself. Only went to Safelite online for a lazy way to get an idea of cost. But the myth is the big guys can give the better price due to the volume of work and buying in volume. But I find time and again these big boxes lure you in with a special price on one thing while reaming you on the rest. They have to pay back their lines of credit that got them so big so fast, pay the jingle writer, and pay for all that advertising time or space on our webpages. Employees tend to get paid on the light side as well, which is a huge negative in more ways than one.

I had my '92 K3500 windshield replaced and that's when I learned these trucks tend to rust at the windshield up top. The guy said it's really common.

[LEEVON]

We sublet a lot of windshields in my shop, two independent glass companies do them for us. I'd expect to pay $175-200 for that particular one and mark it up to $250. If you have any options, might shop around a bit...

[SunSoaked]

Am I the only one that pays like $5/month for the glass replacement rider on my insurance? I've had several replaced over the years and my grand total....$Zero?

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Am I the only one that pays like $5/month for the glass replacement rider on my insurance? I've had several replaced over the years and my grand total....$Zero?

I don't carry anything but liability on any of my vehicles.

[special-K]

Yes, I always carry windshield replacement on a vehicle with full coverage. But this vehicle has liability only because full coverage would only benefit the insurance company. I can't see paying all that just to have my vehicle totalled and handed $1,000.00 if I'm ever hit. I carry liability only on cheaper easy to replace vehicles. Had this 'Burb for five years and would have paid for at least 5 windshields so far. I'm only paying for one out of pocket, so still way ahead.

[rpmerf]

I am going to have to get around to this someday. I have the rust at the top of the windshield. My windshield has a crack about 6 foot long. Started one day around the driver's side visor and has been creeping it's way over to the passenger's side. I figure I want to remove it myself to fix the rust myself, then have SafeLite or a local place. I've been putting this off for about 2 years now...

As far as insurance goes, I only carry the state minimum. It doesn't cover any damage to my own vehicles. Last time I looked, if I carried liability, I would pay the value of the vehicle every 2 years. Not really worth it when I have 4 running vehicles, and none of them are worth much. The only one I would actually care about loosing would be my 70. The rest are easily replaceable.