Just wanted to take a minute to share a tip on replacing your windshield if necessary. Two months into owning my Renegade, I was stuck behind a dump truck on an onramp. I turned my head to merge in when suddenly I heard what sounded like a gunshot. I knew what happened the second I heard it. A large rock had struck my windshield and it began to spiderweb almost immediately. No repairing this one, a new windshield was necessary. I called two auto glass installers, Safelite, and Precision Auto Glass, the latter being a local shop here in town that was recommended to me by my insurance. Safelite was first to return a quote for me. I was told that the OEM windshield was all that was available, no aftermarket glass. I was also told as I have heard others discuss, there is a wait to get it. They let me know that it would be at least a week before it would come in, and that it would be close to $900 installed. They said the little Willys Jeep in the corner drives the price up. I called my insurance back and both of us had a bit of sticker shock. Thinking I would have to work with them to be able to pay for this I set everything up for the install. Later in the day, Precision Auto Glass called me to let me know that they could install a new windshield for $325. The catch is that the new windshield would be missing the Willys Jeep in the bottom corner. Other than that the windshield is essentially the same, because there are only two possible glass manufacturers for the Renegade. My wife was the one who didn't want to miss out on the Willys in the corner, because it's cute if course. I figured I could care less when considering the price difference. I went ahead and had them order up the windshield without the Willys. The next day the windshield was in and I took my Renegade I for the install. The owner took me out to show me something interesting on the vehicle. It is true, there are two different glass manufacturers for the windows that Jeep used. The windshield and side windows are all made by Gobain. The rear is made by Pilkington. The replacement windshield that this shop was offering at the lower rate was made by Pilkington. The funny thing is that after doing some research on this new Pilkington windshield, it may even be superior to the original windshield. The new Pilkington is their EZ-KOOL ULTRA. This one cuts down on heat in the vehicle and has sound deadening properties. It's been really great so far. To please my wife, I ordered a Willys decal from eBay, $4 for a four pack. See attached photo - sorry about the bug mess. It's not quite the same without the little dirt mound ridge, but for $570 less, who cares! Hopefully this tip can help others in case they have the same unfortunate accident that I had. The last thing I should call out is that I have heard of others having issues with auto sensing wipers and other features such as that on non-OEM glass. My Renegade is as stock as they come with absolutely no bells and whistles, so I had no trouble there.
LOL i like the sticker idea. Anything to keep the wife happy. Sent from my iPhone using ToasterJeep mobile app
Honestly while it's interesting that FCA designers wanted to put cutesy little things everywhere, it's a Jeep. I'm not going to get worked up because some "easter egg" or another is missing. Hell, my wife hadn't noticed the spider in the fuel filler for over a dozen fills and damn near had a heart attack when did finally notice; there are a lot of deadly spiders around here so first reaction is not one of appreciation.
Good info. Hopefully won't need a new windshield anytime soon but there are lots of log and rock trucks here in FL so one never knows. Thanks for posting.
