Windshield Replacement with HUD

[cooljoe51]

Well, cleaned off snow this morning from my Bonnie and well, a nice crack on the windshield. Time for a replacement. Now I know in the past I've only went with HUD specific windhshields because I was told that was the way to go. Now doing some research, I'm seeing if I get a regular windshield, I may be okay. But then I see stuff about a double image. Can you guys give me anymore information on this? Any pictures? How horrible does this look? And is it truely two images? Or just a little bit of a fuzzier image? This is coming out of pocket, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. Thanks guys!

[roadtested]

Out of pocket I believe I might consider a used one. Generally you would "pick-it" or inspect it first and then they would remove it. You either see the HUD control or you don't, pick one with! Some yards actually also do the install and are good at it. YMMV.

Price it several ways from multiple installers.

[RJolly87]

In regards to your original question, if you take something at night, like your phone, and stick it on the dash near the HUD at night, look at reflection in the windshield, then do the same thing with another car that didn't come with HUD, you should be able to get an idea as to what it will look like.

I use my android phone as a HUD when it's dark sometimes, and notice a somewhat blurry double image.

[nos4blood70]

It's not so much a double image as not sharp. You also might have trouble seeing it during the day. I have 2 friends who did HUD swaps in the Grand Prix's a LONG time ago, they've just been living with it. It's not that bad.

Ask Sethjamesrimrodt.. He's done it on two cars as well. I just can't find the thread in search at the moment.

[cooljoe51]

Yeah I was looking up different posts about it, but couldn't find too much. I'm still debating to pull the trigger on a regular one. I have been also looking at used too, not too many close to me, but it may be worth the drive...

[Jrs3800]

Its not so much a foggy image as much as it will ghost on you, but it can be lived with in my opinion... If at all possible I would look for Hud windshield, If you have full coverage( W/Glass ) then your insurance may buy you a new HUD windshield..

Heck on my van I ( 95 Trans Sport ) I developed a nasty crack that could not be repaired.. That monster was replaced under my insurance, they came out and did it right here...



So If you have full coverage, call the insurance company and see if you are covered first...

[repinS]

You may be able to get away with a higher end (PPG, EZ-Cool or similar), factory grade non-HUD windshield. Cheap generic Chinese aftermarket glass may not fare as well.

[cooljoe51]

Well at this point I've got two different companies down to 350 for a HUD windshield. I just need to know, should I go with PPG or Pilkington? It looks like Pilkinton is OE. I know PPG is a good name as well, but there's a 20 variable in there. So..opinions? Searched again and couldn't find anything on it.

[wake]

did you contact your insurance company and see if its something that they will cover? cause if your insurance company approves it as covered you could only have to pay a co-pay or deductible, which im sure would be less that what a windshield will cost out right

[cooljoe51]

I thought about it, but when I called them, they don't seem to know. They can only put in a claim first...plus I don't want my car insurance rates to go up because I had to replace a windshield.

[wake]

makes perfect sense, i was just curious

[cooljoe51]

No problem, I appreciate the thought. For the 250 extra dollars it'll probably cost (if I'm lucky enough to have a 100 glass deductible) They'll probably charge me another 1k in fees. F insurance companies lol

[Jrs3800]

I have State Farm with Glass Coverage and paid nothing to have the windshield replaced, my rates never changed.. Pretty sad that they don't know whats going on with your policy...

The prices you state are pretty good, My choice would be PPG, But the OE would be fine too.. I'd say go with either your choice... Pilkington is what was installed on my Van...lol

[cooljoe51]

I do have Glass coverage, it just falls into my comprehensive which comes to more than the windshield does. My insurance company uses a third party for glass coverage. But yeah I wasn't sure which would be better the OE is 20 dollars more than PPG, so I really didn't know.

[00Beast]

PPG is now actually PGW (Pittsburgh Glass Works), so if/when that gets installed, don't freak out, lol. PPG was OE on these cars. Both are OEM glass suppliers, just depends on who was the lowest bidder on that car...

[Jrs3800]

Honestly I'd go with either one, But I see no issues using the PPG..

[cooljoe51]

That's what I ended up doing. The PPG was 20 dollars cheaper. Beast, thanks for the heads up! Thanks for all the info guys!

[cooljoe51]

Got the PGW glass installed today. Does it no longer say HUD on the glass or did they give me the wrong windshield? I haven't driven it around, but the HUD doesn't look fuzzy. Anyone have PGW glass that can comment in on this?

[myfirstbonnie]

I had the same question when Safelite came to do mine. The service guy called his office and verified the part number. My HUD image is fine. If it was not correct, you would see a double image.

[Sirius]

...If it was not correct, you would see a double image.

I'll second that - you'd absolutely know if it wasn't a HUD glass. Personally, I think you'll be much happier with the HUD glass. I had the glass on my '93 replaced and they accidentally installed a standard glass...drove me nuts. Some folks can stand the fuzzy image, I can't. Neither could the glass installer when I showed it to him (fortunately he's a car nut too). He got the correct glass coming immediately and replaced it.