Windshield replacement OEM or Aftermarket??

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Jtblackram

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I have big cracks in my windshield from some rock chips, no shot i’ll pass inspection. Safelite quoted me 900 for oem glass to be put in and 450 for aftermarket. Leaning aftermarket as I doubt the OEM is double the quality of the aftermarket, but if anyone could weigh in on the quality of these aftermarket pieces I would appreciate
 

audiophile

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I have had aftermarket and OEM through Safelite and have always had quality glass from them. This last time I did OEM because I wanted the RAM logo back and my insurance has a $100 glass deductible.
 

VA-RAM

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My wife's 2020 Laramie has had 3 windshields replaced in the last 18 months due to rock strikes (don't ask me how). All of those were replaced with OEM (RAM Logo) glass with insurance $100 deductible. Biggest reason for going the OEM route is the rain sensing wipers, auto high beam, and the rest of her high-end options, including the "Sound -Proofing" capability of the glass that is a part of the overall design of the truck. And I don't trust the Chinese versions. I have a 2017 Laramie and if I ever need to replace the windshield (haven't needed to yet...:rolleyes:), it would be OEM also...just don't trust the quality of the aftermarket stuff anymore.
 
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Jtblackram

Jtblackram

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I found a place that would do 300 for aftermarket and they would come to my house, ill draw the ram logo on with sharpie if it makes it worth twice the price heheh. Will give updates as to how it looks once its in
 
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Jtblackram

Jtblackram

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Havent driven with it yet but it looks solid, they didnt charge any bs fees or extra this and that

Glass itself has a tint brow that OEM didnt have, looks much nicer than factory in my opinion

Might i suggest NEVER using safelite, they were quoting me $25 just for “glass disposal” and almost $500 for the glass install and it was $50 extra just for them to come to me.

Moral is, always shop around
CD595DEC-CE20-4A2F-B9FA-05DFC53B1D53.jpeg
 

Rayzaa

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My wife's 2020 Laramie has had 3 windshields replaced in the last 18 months due to rock strikes (don't ask me how). All of those were replaced with OEM (RAM Logo) glass with insurance $100 deductible. Biggest reason for going the OEM route is the rain sensing wipers, auto high beam, and the rest of her high-end options, including the "Sound -Proofing" capability of the glass that is a part of the overall design of the truck. And I don't trust the Chinese versions. I have a 2017 Laramie and if I ever need to replace the windshield (haven't needed to yet...:rolleyes:), it would be OEM also...just don't trust the quality of the aftermarket stuff anymore.
Ram Logo? I guess mine is too old (2007) mine never had a logo. Where is the logo? Just curious to see it. Never noticed them before.
 
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Jtblackram

Jtblackram

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Ram Logo? I guess mine is too old (2007) mine never had a logo. Where is the logo? Just curious to see it. Never noticed them before.
Bottom right (if inside, left if outside) corner of windshield its a little rams head in the shield on some of the newer trucks, i believe it originally came with 4th gens during a mid cycle refresh. Its a nice touch but i personally am not willing to cash out just for a little picture
 

TRK_GANG74

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Getting my windshield replaced tomorrow by Safelite through my insurance. Just have to pay my $250 deductible. Always requested OEM except on one previous vehicle I went aftermarket but noticed no difference in regards to the tech working properly. I prefer to keep everything major in the truck OEM.
 

Gerry Sudman

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Had two aftermarket windshields replaced by Safelite. Both were chipped again within a few weeks. It did not take much of a stone to make the chips. Much smaller than with the original ws.
 

Rayzaa

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Buy cheap you get a cheaply made product...
That isn't always true. Name brands and OEMs are grossly marked up and in many cases aren't any better. In my experience it depends on what you are getting.
 

KoboldTaco

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Havent driven with it yet but it looks solid, they didnt charge any bs fees or extra this and that

Glass itself has a tint brow that OEM didnt have, looks much nicer than factory in my opinion

Might i suggest NEVER using safelite, they were quoting me $25 just for “glass disposal” and almost $500 for the glass install and it was $50 extra just for them to come to me.

Moral is, always shop around
View attachment 497738
Yes shopping around when spending your own cash makes sense. When insurance is involved, I have a policy rider that ensures OEM so I don’t end up with Chineseium and I just let Safelight deal with it or who they send it to.

I have heard horror stories of different folks who have the rain sensing and lidar systems not being focused correctly throwing codes etc. Sometimes you do get what you pay for but that might only be for those who have the extra bits to worry about. Good luck and hope it works out. :)
 
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Jtblackram

Jtblackram

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Yes shopping around when spending your own cash makes sense. When insurance is involved, I have a policy rider that ensures OEM so I don’t end up with Chineseium and I just let Safelight deal with it or who they send it to.

I have heard horror stories of different folks who have the rain sensing and lidar systems not being focused correctly throwing codes etc. Sometimes you do get what you pay for but that might only be for those who have the extra bits to worry about. Good luck and hope it works out. :)
Oh yeah if insurance was involved i hundred percent agree, I would hate to get stuck with an aftermarket pos if it didnt work correctly. I’m definitely looking into glass coverage just in case now
 
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Jtblackram

Jtblackram

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Had two aftermarket windshields replaced by Safelite. Both were chipped again within a few weeks. It did not take much of a stone to make the chips. Much smaller than with the original ws.
When you say smaller do you mean thickness of the windshield? I never really took the time to gauge the thickness of the first one but this one definitely doesn’t have any more sound intrusion than the og did
 

oe542bob

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Jtblackram, did you not have comprehensive coverage? Just curious.
 

KoboldTaco

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Jtblackram, did you not have comprehensive coverage? Just curious.
I know with mine, I had to carry a special rider for the windshield because of the tech involved in them now.
 

Biker

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Aftermarket. Got rid of another Ram logo.
 

Gerry Sudman

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By saying smaller, I meant the size/weight of the rock that hit it.
 

Scottly

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How that glass is installed is many times more important than whether or not it's OEM. The adhesive has very narrow working ranges in terms of temps and times, not to mention adhesion surface prep. Get any of that wrong (and these glass companies often do), and the install will have it's integrity compromised, as will the safety of the vehicle. Some windsheilds are part of crush zones and improperly installed ones can have catastrophic effects during collisions.
 
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