Opinions on Aftermarket Windshield manufactures...

[mellowguy]

I have a 73 Challenger Rally. It had tinted windshields that I need to replace. What are my brand choices? What is the most accurate windshields that will match the OEM originals and OEM side windows? Thanks everybody.

[Chryco Psycho]

Choices are numerous
 PPG , Pilkington ....
 You will find most glass is made thinner now than original glass was .

[AARuFAST]

pricey, date coded windshield purchase at ECS automotive one of the sponsors of CC.c
Ad  located at bottom page

http://www.ecsautomotive.com/productdesc.php?co=c&id=1

[Skunkworks Challenger]

I bought a complete set of tinted glass from AMD and couldn't be more pleased.  Fit perfectly, nice and level (no distortions).  It was about .012 ticker than original glass.  Deal with Dave, he is the best!

[mellowguy]

Thanks everybody for the advice.  Thicker is ok, and I don't care about the date codes. Great fit, accurate color (tint), similar looking tint bar at the top, matching color tint of side window glass, and I am good.

AL

[burdar]

It's good that your car has tinted glass.  THat makes it easier for you.  You can call any local automotive glass shop and order a windshield.  All they sell is tinted.  If you need clear(like I did) then you need to go with AMD or ECS.  Call Safelite and get a price.  They'll come out and install it for you too.

[ChallengerHK]

You will find most glass is made thinner now than original glass was .

How much of an issue is this? I'd like to go with grey-tinted (as opposed to green tinted) glass, but the only place I've found that sells it offer the thinner product.

[burdar]

A thicker butyl tape would need to be used so the stainless would fit properly.  If a glass shop is going to install it, they can set the depth and install the trim for you. 

[mellowguy]

"A thicker butyl tape would need to be used so the stainless would fit properly.  If a glass shop is going to install it, they can set the depth and install the trim for you. "


Do you mean that you use a thicker butyl tape on thinner or thicker windshields?

[burdar]

If the glass is thinner, you need a thicker tape so that the outer portion of the glass is in the correct location.  I don't know how much thinner it is though.  That's why I had a glass company install mine.  They refused to use butyl tape.  They used a urithane and manually set the depth so the trim would fit.

[drewcrane]

If the glass is thinner, you need a thicker tape so that the outer portion of the glass is in the correct location.  I don't know how much thinner it is though.  That's why I had a glass company install mine.  They refused to use butyl tape.  They used a urithane and manually set the depth so the trim would fit.

I just purchased a nice windshield form a local glass guy , about $275.00 with a supply of butyl rubber for install, it is thinner than stock , now I have heard that Butyl rubber is considered unsafe ,perhaps due to it not sticking and the windshield can fall ,out I have to do some research and see what the real deal is

[wiging19]

 

[Barracudadan]

I just purchased a nice windshield form a local glass guy , about $275.00 with a supply of butyl rubber for install, it is thinner than stock , now I have heard that Butyl rubber is considered unsafe ,perhaps due to it not sticking and the windshield can fall ,out I have to do some research and see what the real deal is

We use butyl tape to seal sections of ductwork together on commercial projects and man that stuff sticks as long as the surface is clean and dry. The stuff we use is a grey color not black like the glass guys use. Every once in a while someone will take a strip of that stuff and lay it in a car door and slam it shut you practically need a crow bar to open the door after that! This is one way I have researched the stuff! 

[drewcrane]

We use butyl tape to seal sections of ductwork together on commercial projects and man that stuff sticks as long as the surface is clean and dry. The stuff we use is a grey color not black like the glass guys use. Every once in a while someone will take a strip of that stuff and lay it in a car door and slam it shut you practically need a crow bar to open the door after that! This is one way I have researched the stuff! 

Ahh that is good to know,very good , yea I have some here and it sticky stuff for sure

[vinb]

Got an AMD front Cuda glass thru Summit  , yes the glass is much thicker .290 verse .245 factory and that's ok but my problem was the bottom Left & Right corners were so flat that the glass was up about 3/4". NO WAY I COULD HAVE USED IT... I think some one else on this site with a Challenger had the same problem and I did post some photos on a prior post.

I called Summit and after I explained the problem they took it back and refunded me the full amount with shipping..

I don't know if it was the one glass but I went ahead and got an Aftermarket glass for about the same price and it fit like a glove, that one was .205 thick..

I guess it's like anything else made today , hope for the best.....