Is it the glass... or the windshield angle?

[xch47cpt]

We've heard both sides of this debate.

Some owners blame the glass.

Others think Gladiators simply take rock impacts differently because of the windshield design and the places they're driven.

What's your opinion after owning one?

Has your experience changed the way you think about it?

It's 100% the angle, which is to flat to oncoming projectiles. I have the Gorilla Glass, and it made no difference. This is my 1st Jeep and already 2 rock chips/cracks in the first year. All my other vehicles rarely ever get chips/cracks.

Sponsored

 

[JAPE]

I am on my second windshield.
About 2 years ago I encountered a ~6-8" crack. ordered a repair kit, repaired the crack, the crack has not propagated further.
I recommend keeping a repair kit on hand to repair dings and cracks until you decide its time for a new windshield.

Another option I do not use, I believe some insurance policies cover the full price of repair/replacement.

 

[trust]

Id argue glass... my 82 scrambler has a roughly equivalent angle with one Crack straight up and down in the middle in its 2nd ws in the 22 years ive owned it. My gladiator looks like its a batting cage in the third ws in 6 years...

 

[MoxiesDad]

I'd argue that the glass is thinner and weaker. My 2021 Gladiator got a broken windshield during it's third year, just sitting outside during a winter ice and snow storm. My 2004 Wrangler had a small pit in the windshield when I bought it in 2007. It hasn't cracked on me yet and sits more upright than the Gladiator windshield.

 

[RandyO]

Definitely the angle. In 40 years of driving I never had to replace a windshield until I bought a Gladdy. I replaced the windshield last year and need a new one already. All the whacks happened on the highway.

 

[bd100]

Five or so years on the road, repaired a chip once, fine so far.

I'll agree with the thinner glass being an possible explanation. A similar issue is the thinner body panels. We had a hail storm with fist sized hail and all our newer vehicles with aluminum hoods have small dents, but the old pickup with steel is just fine, thank you!

 

[davey]

mopar windshield protection film works great very impressed...

 

[AstroZombie]

Yup, the windshield angle definitely seems to be the common thread in a lot of these discussions.

Do you think driving environment plays just as big a role, though? Highway driving vs. off-road vs. gravel roads?

My windshield chip and crack more of the freeway or OTR. On my YJ and TJ. Lower speed trails don't seem to be an issue. I did use a non-OE windshield teh last time (only time ) i had it replaced. Still going strong. I bet this weekend will be a change now that i mentioned it.

 

[JAPE]

mopar windshield protection film works great very impressed...

How does the film wear, does it show pits over time? Has anyone with the film experienced a crack?

 

[OCJosh]

Gorilla glass is absolutely shit. I’m on my fifth Jeep and never had issues like I’ve had with that horrible glass. A month after leaving the dealer the glass already looks like a 5 year old windshield with a million tnyvdot pockmarks. And the “warranty” is non-existent because Jeep will not honor it, will weasel out if it and Corning won’t even talk to you. Ask me how I know. A $1,300 TURD…

10000000% agreed. I recently had a rock hit mine and spider it like no ones business. Completely denied. What's the damn point of the gorilla glass if it provides no more protection than regular glass? It's a complete scam to extract more money from our pockets and they don't even stand behind their product (Stellantis or Corning)

Sponsored