Trying to replace my Gorilla Glass on my 20204 Gladiator using Safelite. They are saying it is on back order for 2 months now

[BourbonRunner]

@ShadowsPapa

Curious: can GG be patched/filled like typical laminated windshield glass? I ask because State Farm will cover filling the hole before it becomes a crack multiple times for free under my policy, and then its $150 or $200 (can't recall) to replace it outright with OEM.

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[StevieY1]

The initial caused the latter - uneven stresses. That's why you get things replaced ASAP. Once there is a crack on that outer soda lime glass, the tension is uneven on it. I've seen glass pop due to improper installation or a minor "tweak" to part of the vehicle's chassis.
GG isn't tempered. It's chemically modified. Sodium ions are replaced with larger potassium ions, creating a compressive "stress". When that becomes uneven - it will pop, like yours did.
I can cause a standard windshield to "pop" and crack clean across with a simple bit of damage to an area close to the edge. (and unfortunately, I have done it - rats!) The crack wasn't at the initial point of damage. But I caused the stresses to be uneven.

The crack across the windshield happened 10 mins later after a small pebble barely hit the glass at 7 mph initially. I was shocked first that the small and I mean small pebble would cause such a star at such a low speed and then literally 10 mins later it sounded like a huge rock hit as the glass cracked in multiple places all across my windshield. It was pretty shocking and ultimately quite disappointing.

 

[StevieY1]

@ShadowsPapa

Curious: can GG be patched/filled like typical laminated windshield glass? I ask because State Farm will cover filling the hole before it becomes a crack multiple times for free under my policy, and then its $150 or $200 (can't recall) to replace it outright with OEM.

Yes it can be filled - for sure

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa

Curious: can GG be patched/filled like typical laminated windshield glass? I ask because State Farm will cover filling the hole before it becomes a crack multiple times for free under my policy, and then its $150 or $200 (can't recall) to replace it outright with OEM.

Yes, because that outer layer facing the bugs is standard soda lime glass.
My insurance will do any chips that can be repaired at no charge to me.

 

[biodiesel]

The crack across the windshield happened 10 mins later after a small pebble barely hit the glass at 7 mph initially. I was shocked first that the small and I mean small pebble would cause such a star at such a low speed and then literally 10 mins later it sounded like a huge rock hit as the glass cracked in multiple places all across my windshield. It was pretty shocking and ultimately quite disappointing.

Don't feel bad. I had about 70 miles on my brand-new Jeep Gladiator when a rock hit my windshield and it started to crack. It was literally the same day I bought the Jeep and was driving it home from Arizona. I had the Jeep just for a little over an hour when it cracked. That was over a year ago, and I still haven't repaired it. The Jeep has a whopping 3,000 miles on it.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Don't feel bad. I had about 70 miles on my brand-new Jeep Gladiator when a rock hit my windshield and it started to crack. It was literally the same day I bought the Jeep and was driving it home from Arizona. I had the Jeep just for a little over an hour when it cracked. That was over a year ago, and I still haven't repaired it. The Jeep has a whopping 3,000 miles on it.

Always the way it is.

I had replaced my windshield on my e46 due to a stone being kicked up at speed and scaring the crap out of me from the sound as it cracked across the whole thing.

Not 1 day after it was replaced, I was heading into PA from MD on i70 and a truck kicked up a rock and cracked that one, too.

 

[StevieY1]

Hence my advice on the 3 layer optically clear window protection from Summit Racing. I'm super fussy about cleaning the glass after a car wash - removing all the spots and having a perfect view from inside Glad Jr. Sure hope the layer protection lives up to its promise!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Always the way it is.

I had replaced my windshield on my e46 due to a stone being kicked up at speed and scaring the crap out of me from the sound as it cracked across the whole thing.

Not 1 day after it was replaced, I was heading into PA from MD on i70 and a truck kicked up a rock and cracked that one, too.

My 2020 (plain, non-GG) had a tiny hit so small, we never heard it and never did see a chip, then it cracked straight down about 1/3 over from the left side.
The shop pointed out the really teeny glistening of a chip in the right light, so it wasn't covered under warranty.
Got it replaced, then in May of 2022, I made a deal to trade my 2020 for a 2022. Everything was agreed and decided. A couple of weeks before the new one came in, guess what happened - another crack. I of course had to make it whole as the deal was based on maintaining condition. Of all times for that to happen - after the deal was made, days before I was to deliver it to them. I told the glass company I needed it replaced ASAP. They said they were at least 2 weeks out. Said I couldn't wait that long and they referred me to a private glass place not far from me - they got the windshield and replaced it inside of a week or so.

Had no cracks with the 2022 (GG) - none, but a couple of fair chips I procrastinated getting fixed. Their issue now, I guess. If the new owner is smart - they'll have those chips taken care of.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hence my advice on the 3 layer optically clear window protection from Summit Racing. I'm super fussy about cleaning the glass after a car wash - removing all the spots and having a perfect view from inside Glad Jr. Sure hope the layer protection lives up to its promise!

It can't hurt, and pretty much any layer of "plastic" you can put on will help because it's going to absorb some of the energy of the impact, spread it out a bit, and be more 'bouncy' than glass.
I've never done it on mine, but if someone asked me my thoughts on it, I'd likely say - go for it.
I need to replace the windshield on my 73 and since those are to the point that it's a struggle just to find one anywhere in the states, I might do it on that car.
In 3 or 4 years I'd bet no one will be making that glass.

 

[StevieY1]

Up here in Edmonton we have a company called Windshield Surgeons that offer a complete glass replacement on regular Gladiator glass for 149 - covers it for a year for any issues and believe me, as we all know, in a year - with that vertical glass we all have there are gonna be scars...

 

[StevieY1]

It can't hurt, and pretty much any layer of "plastic" you can put on will help because it's going to absorb some of the energy of the impact, spread it out a bit, and be more 'bouncy' than glass.
I've never done it on mine, but if someone asked me my thoughts on it, I'd likely say - go for it.
I need to replace the windshield on my 73 and since those are to the point that it's a struggle just to find one anywhere in the states, I might do it on that car.
In 3 or 4 years I'd bet no one will be making that glass.

If you go to the website of the manufacturer - they do a similar "steel shot" test at 80 mph and show how the product works - that sold me on it. And then when it gets a little scarred up you simply peel off the outer layer leaving another perfect piece a virgin glass. Three strikes and you're out tho!

Or...then you reorder another protection pc - in the case of Gorilla Glass - cause it takes so damn long to get a replacement!

 

[HorneyBadger]

Hmmm, I dont see whether this was the first time for GG replacement. The warranty on the vehicle has the factory replacing GG the first time. After over 2 years my GG cracked. Took it to the dealer and got it replaced for free. Now the next time is on me!

 

[RubiNewbCB]

I bought my 2024 Jeep Gladiator Moja in August of 2024. It came with Gorilla Glass, which I heard was more durable. Since then it cracked in multiple places, mainly from rocks kicked up on the highway. I am trying to have the windshield replaced using USAA and Safelite. They have called the dealer, and were told that glass is on back order, with no ETA. I live in Charleston, SC, and wanted to find out if anyone else has heard of this shortage? Not sure if this was regional? I have been waiting 2 months now, so I figured I would reach out to you guys to see if you have heard anything.

I was told the same in Virginia Beach area several months back, same insurer USAA too.

I went with standard MOPAR windshield which is thicker and added the ExoSheild which is holding up quite well. Already went through two Gorilla Glass windshields.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I went with standard MOPAR windshield which is thicker and added the ExoSheild which is holding up quite well. Already went through two Gorilla Glass windshields.

In this case, "thicker" doesn't count or matter because it's the outer layer that chips and breaks, and that's the same on GG or non-GG windshields.

It's the ExoShield that's doing it for you. Had you run that on the others, they'd have survived, too.
Only the inner layer - the GG layer, is thinner, and that's the layer that flexes and doesn't break.

The outside of all of our windshields is exactly the same, no matter which type we have. (unless we go cheap glass - then all bets are off)

 

[Gvsukids]

I just had my GG windshield replaced a few weeks ago. Took a golf-ball sized rock that was launched out from between the dual rear-wheels of a semi coming out of a farm road while I was going ~60 mph. The rock was so big I saw it and actually physically dodged thinking it was going to murder me. It ultimately hit right above the black area of the windshield, right in front of me. It sounded like a small-caliber rifle shot when it hit. A loud, sharp crack. I knew the windshield was done for, but was surprised it didn't crack more initially. I had a quarter-sized crater with some indentation/glass loss in the middle, and then two cracks snaking up from the crater. The cracks grew on my drive home.

Ended up getting it replaced via my insurance company (New Jersey Manufacturers) with one call. I told them I had OEM gorilla glass, and they made a note on the service order to Safelite. Safelite came out and replace it with gorilla glass, I paid my $100 deductible, and less than a week after the incident I was back on the road.

No clue if GG is "worth it," but I can't see how it's worse than normal glass, and for what I paid as an option, I'd do it again.

Hmmm, I dont see whether this was the first time for GG replacement. The warranty on the vehicle has the factory replacing GG the first time. After over 2 years my GG cracked. Took it to the dealer and got it replaced for free. Now the next time is on me!

Glass coverage is cheap and no deductible.

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