Smashed rear window

[mistaake]

Yup, I'm an idiot. Was removing the ladder rack from my truck and managed to completely break the rear window. So... Now what? Watch a bunch of YouTube videos and hit up the junkyard? I'm considering at least temporarily just using a piece of plywood, because I actually have one that's a good size, but any brilliant ideas on how to attach it to the back of the cab besides a bunch of screws which would leave ugly holes after? Thanks...

 

[skylark]

I just called around today about this. I have a used piece of factory glass to replace broken one. Nobody wanted to install it. The cheapest that I could find was $200. I did finally locate a guy who will do my used glass for $65 but he wouldn't guarantee that it won't leak.

 

[mistaake]

$200 new glass installed? That's less than I thought it would be. Will get some quotes tomorrow. Still curious on alternate solutions. Clear or white plastic from home Depot? Lol

 

[Bob L]

I just replaced mine with a slider. Clean the old adhesive ,lay down a thick bead or urethane and put it up there. You will need to tape it in place for a few hrs. I taped around the opening in case of squeezout but had very little to clean up.

 

[mistaake]

New tinted window being installed for $165 including parts and labor this afternoon right at my work. Much cheaper than I expected - Safelite quoted $500. Screw that LOL

 

[Hipster]

$65 is not a bad price for what's involved and a pro can cruise right through the job. Figure out of that $65 you'd be buying $20 worth of urethane. I've done a few of my own, like said above not difficult, but they never seem to go as smooth or as fas as when the pros do it.

 

[Justin S]

I used a piece of plexiglass and some gorilla tape on my rear window. Could be a temporary solution for you, turned out to be a permanent one for me

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[89RCLB]

That poor truck looks like hell

 

[mistaake]

Well, turns out they didn't have the tinted one in stock so they put regular. $150 total. Looks perfect, I could not have done it that nice myself I'm sure. Glad I didn't need a temporary solution. I think it took the three guys less than 30m, they even vacuumed the glass out from the inside of the truck and the bed.

 

[someotherguy]

Modern vehicles with glued-in glass use that design as part of the structural rigidity/strength of the vehicle. Proper installation is critical...if the surface isn't prepped properly or the wrong adhesive is used, the glass can just pop out in a rollover or crush type crash, offering no protection.

Something to consider in all scenarios when replacing glass like this. #1 leave it to the pros. It's smart, and it's not expensive (unless you go with a ripoff company like Safelite wanting to charge $500.) #2 don't cheap out and get by with a piece of plexi or whatever just stuck in there. #3 think about it when repainting a vehicle, the edge where the glass glues in has to be prepped very carefully so you don't have a new layer of paint that can just pop loose along with the glass instead of holding tight.

Richard