Crappy windshields...
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 441
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From: Cave Springs, AR
Crappy windshields...
It's been said before, but it's worth repeating FORD... These windshields suck. My '99 E350 had one stone chip that needed to be repaired in 120,000 miles. My '96 Accord(I know, I know) never had a glass problem in 65,000 miles. My '93 Silverado, '92 Tempo, '88 Escort, '82 Wagoneer, and '78 Suburban never had any glass problems either. My F250 is going to the glass shop tomorrow to have the windshield repaired for the FOURTH time in 60,000 miles. Two stone chips in New Jersey, one while on the highway, one while on a back road. One chunk of ice from another car in Virginia totally destroyed windshield. (ok, not entirely Ford's fault 
) And now today on the highway in Arkansas, I didn't even hear anything hit it. I just looked up and there was a chip in the windshield right in front of me. Should be fixable, I hope.
I am convinced that there is some reason for the new windshields being weak. Either $$$, weight, or $$ from aftermarket sales.. or maybe "safety"
When I buy my next SuperDuty in '09 or whatever I'm gonna work my best deal.. Then tell the dealer I want 4 extra windshields to go with it. See how they like that one.. lol.
-Jay
) And now today on the highway in Arkansas, I didn't even hear anything hit it. I just looked up and there was a chip in the windshield right in front of me. Should be fixable, I hope.I am convinced that there is some reason for the new windshields being weak. Either $$$, weight, or $$ from aftermarket sales.. or maybe "safety"
When I buy my next SuperDuty in '09 or whatever I'm gonna work my best deal.. Then tell the dealer I want 4 extra windshields to go with it. See how they like that one.. lol.
-Jay
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
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i have heard many complaints, i never had a cracked windshield until i got a rock chip on my 2004 and it cracked all the way across the glass.
my 1995 f250 had just 2 chips in it after 166k miles with no problems and my current xterra has 4 chips in it now.
my uncle has a 2002 psd and he had has his windshield replaced also.
my 1995 f250 had just 2 chips in it after 166k miles with no problems and my current xterra has 4 chips in it now.
my uncle has a 2002 psd and he had has his windshield replaced also.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
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I had a rock come up and hit the lower part on the passenger side just below the windshield wiper. It chipped the glass but was so low to see until it started cracking. By then it was too late to repair. I went through a winter and I can tell you: "low temperature and hot air through the top vent is a BAD idea". It was late at night and all I heard was cracking and I didn't know what was going on until I had a car coming in the opposite direction and see the lights reflect off the crack, then I realized what was going on and by then it had already gone all the way across the lower part of the windshield.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 206
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From: York, PA
mine is at the dealer right now to see if my "stress crack" is covered under warranty. I was washing the truck over the summer and when the water hit the windshield it put an 18" crack in it 
. Apparently if there is no proof that a stone chip caused it they will cover it.
. Apparently if there is no proof that a stone chip caused it they will cover it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Rural WV
Guess I've been lucky with the 250 thus far. I've had two rocks hit the windshield (after holding my breath for an eternity) and nothing happend.
My 92 150s windshield is in terrible shape. I've had one star repaired and it has several other chips that thankfully haven't spread. I'm gonna need to replace it anyway because it's so sandblasted. I'm actually waiting for it to crack so I don't have any more excuses not to replace it.
Joe
My 92 150s windshield is in terrible shape. I've had one star repaired and it has several other chips that thankfully haven't spread. I'm gonna need to replace it anyway because it's so sandblasted. I'm actually waiting for it to crack so I don't have any more excuses not to replace it.
Joe
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Ford doesn't make the glass, it's made by a third party vendor, probably the same vendor that makes glass for GM, Toyota, Nissan and Mopar.
The reason you get fragged more is because the frontal area of the truck is BIG. The windshield is BIG. It just catches more rocks because it's a bigger target.
The reason you get fragged more is because the frontal area of the truck is BIG. The windshield is BIG. It just catches more rocks because it's a bigger target.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
I think it is just luck. Same reason some people get flat tires all the time. I've never (knock on wood) had one, and some folks I know get them all the time. Is it the tire's fault??
I think if you look at it across the board, you will see it isn't just Ford, or SD W/Ss I agree, large piece of glass to get hit.
I think if you look at it across the board, you will see it isn't just Ford, or SD W/Ss I agree, large piece of glass to get hit.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 594
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by redford
Ford doesn't make the glass, it's made by a third party vendor, probably the same vendor that makes glass for GM, Toyota, Nissan and Mopar.
The reason you get fragged more is because the frontal area of the truck is BIG. The windshield is BIG. It just catches more rocks because it's a bigger target.
The reason you get fragged more is because the frontal area of the truck is BIG. The windshield is BIG. It just catches more rocks because it's a bigger target.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by aldridgec
I think it is just luck. Same reason some people get flat tires all the time. I've never (knock on wood) had one, and some folks I know get them all the time. Is it the tire's fault??
I don't think Ford glass is a rock magnet. It probably has more to do with where you take your truck compared to your sedan. That, and like most things, size does matter. My grill currently has a ding from a rock that didn't quite have the altitude.
Bill
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 470
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From: Southeast, Louisiana
Big glass. Luck of the draw...
However, I don't think the new glass is a tough as the older stuff. I had a '65 Chevelle, sold it in '87, original glass, no cracks.. Lots of scratches, but no cracks or bullets.
However, I don't think the new glass is a tough as the older stuff. I had a '65 Chevelle, sold it in '87, original glass, no cracks.. Lots of scratches, but no cracks or bullets.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by ccerniglia
.........***** Happens.............
Do bug shields help?
Luck of the draw, indeed - try driving an Isuzu NPR, a flat-nosed truck, without breaking the windshield in some way or another every 3-6 months.
Actually, it might be safety - think about it - the stiffer the windshield, the easier a hard object will be able to go straight through it. If the windshield gives, it absorbs the energy from the moving object, slowing it down, causing less injury... Like a bullet-proof vest.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 441
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From: Cave Springs, AR
I don't buy the "big glass" only because all three of my stone chips that needed to be repaired were almost directly in front of my face. And MOST cars have windshields directly in front of the driver. Also my E350 had a pretty big windshield and it only got one chip in 120,000 miles. Also the reason I posted WHERE I caught the stones was because it's not like I get my chips while driving down the road to the rock quary or anything..
I would pay extra for "heavy duty" glass... not that anyone would bother to make it.. they're laughing all the way to the bank on this one..
-Jay
I would pay extra for "heavy duty" glass... not that anyone would bother to make it.. they're laughing all the way to the bank on this one..
-Jay