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windshield replacement - go with Ford? or aftermarket?

Messages
704
Reactions
381
Points
82
Location
Maryland
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#41
Going thought the same thing. safelight Tech just left. As he started setting up he noticed the replacement was not OEM and he called me out to look. He called his manger and the proper windshield is in stock and rescheduled for 2 days from now. Going to be around $1200. Deductible is $1009 so paying out of pocket. Expensive rock on a 2026 st that not even 3 weeks old. Sigh.
What a b4ll buster that is! Sorry to hear.
 

Jeppo

Active Member
Messages
592
Reactions
354
Points
82
Location
Davidson County, NC
Vehicle
2021 ST
#42
Safelite will also quote you on the OEM glass if you ask. I found the service used by local Ford dealers and they were cheaper than Safelite. I paid extra for the Ford glass and am satisfied.
Ask the dealer’s body shop if they’ll put you in touch with the company they use. That saved me a lot.
 

Messages
26
Reactions
8
Points
2
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle
2026 Ford Explorer ST
#43
Already tried my dealership. About $700 more and they bring out Safelife as well lol
 

DSGR

New Member
U.S. Army Veteran
Law Enforcement
Messages
19
Reactions
2
Points
2
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina
Vehicle
2026 Explorer ST
#44
I've always gone with OEM. Some aftermarket glass will have slight distortions in certain light.
 

Messages
61
Reactions
34
Points
17
Location
Orwigsburg, PA
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#46
I just got the OEM windshield, $200 more than aftermarket from Safelight. The tech said the aftermarket ones are thinner and harder to recalibrate after install, if they fail to calibrate after two tries, they'll put in an OEM.
 

Messages
26
Reactions
8
Points
2
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle
2026 Ford Explorer ST
#47
I had the same issue. First attempt tech came to my house but after starting things he looked at the new windshield and said this is not OEM and would not work with all the nav and toys in the car. Took my car to the local safelight shop a couple days later due to rain coming in and they got the OEM in in under an hour and tech said recalibrated stuff took less than 20 min.
 



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