Cheapest way to get windshield replaced?

So, the only thing that I absolutely have to do for the $1500 330Ci to be able to go to the Challenge is to have the windshield replaced since it is unfortunately explicitly stated that you can't have a cracked windshield (and though in mine's case it doesn't impede the driver's view at all, it still covers like 3/4 of the windshield vertically). Unfortunately, the cheapest I've been able to find for having it replaced is having Safelite do it with a coupon- but that's still over half of my remaining budget ($275) that is essentially money down the drain since it provides absolutely no performance benefit at all. Are there any cheaper/better ways that anyone has found to have a windshield replaced? Thanks!

When i needed a windshield the local glass shop was cheaper than safelite by $50

Were doing mine in house. Urethane from Amazon,  some chunks of pine cut to be spacers, and send it.

Some states require them to be covered by insurance with no deductible. 

Buy the glass and do it yourself? Maybe you could source it from a junk yard.

Looks like Ebay lists a couple for about $150.

Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:

When i needed a windshield the local glass shop was cheaper than safelite by $50

I'll check again, but my initial inquiries in the weeks after I got the car showed that the local shops were solidly more than Safelite unfortunately.

Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) said:

Were doing mine in house. Urethane from Amazon,  some chunks of pine cut to be spacers, and send it.

I'm far from confident in being able to replace a windshield properly myself, unfortunately. In theory there are a few yards in reasonable distance that I could try and pull a windshield from another coupe/convertible- but I know simply pulling the new windshield without cracking it would be a dicey proposition, and getting it properly seated and sealed is not something that I see being able to do truly properly. If all I were concerned about were the Challenge I might be willing to risk doing it myself- but since the intent is to keep the car around for a while I want to make sure it will not leak (something I already have to deal with regarding the front seal on the convertible top).

Toyman01 (Forum Supporter) said:

Some states require them to be covered by insurance with no deductible. 

Buy the glass and do it yourself? Maybe you could source it from a junk yard.

Looks like Ebay lists a couple for about $150.

 

My state is one that requires deductible-free replacement of the windshield (thank you, coal industry...), but since it was cracked when I got the car I would have to lie about when/how it was cracked which would be insurance fraud...

I figured worst case i pay the man after the challenge. Best case i don't. 

Chances of getting a modern windshield out of a junkyard without breaking it is really low.  I wouldn't hesitate one bit to put in a brand new one.  

I had a semi-local glass company come to my house & do a crown vic windshield for ~$200. 

Call around and see who's hungry for work. 

Hmm is the "like for like" replacement part rule not applicable here?

In reply to Ashyukun (Robert) :

I've done either two or three windshields in my lifetime and I don't plan to repeat the experience.  First hardest part is getting a windshield out without breaking it.  I think to replace the two or three that I've done, I broke about 5 or 6.  The worst part is when it's almost out and *then* you break it.  sigh.

The second hardest part is transporting the removed glass without breaking it.

The third hardest part is not getting absolutely covered in 3M WindoWeld.  That stuff is amazing, but it doesn't come out of anything.  Clothes, hair, skin, seats, carpet.  You're stuck with it.  (get it?) 

The fourth hardest part is lowering the replacement glass into the car.  You've already used your caulk gun to put a good bead of WindoWeld all around the frame that you painstakingly cleaned up and now you and a partner pick up the new glass with good suction cups and very..  very carefully set it in place.  You get one shot to drop it perfectly.

It looks like a pre-pulled windshield is anywhere from $60-$75, and a tube of WindoWeld is $24 from Amazon.  If you really need the budget room, it's worth a shot.  The WindoWeld takes care of the sealing problems - that stuff held the front half of the damned CRX together for a few years' of rallycross so as long as you put a decent bead on the frame, it'll seal it up, no problem.

dculberson (Forum Supporter) said:

Hmm is the "like for like" replacement part rule not applicable here?

There is no like for like replacement rule.  If something breaks after buying then it can be replaces with some stipulations. 

Lexan. 
 

Will get you through the Challenge cheap, then you can replace it later if you want. That's what I did with my MINI.

SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:

Lexan. 
 

Will get you through the Challenge cheap, then you can replace it later if you want. That's what I did with my MINI.

I think this is your best bet.  I've successfully pulled, transported and installed many junkyard windshields but it's stressful and I broke some while I was learning all the ins and outs.  Now that I can afford it I pay to have them changed despite having the tools and knowledge to do it myself.

It's been awhile, but several Pick-N-Pull type places I used to frequent had little shops nextdoor such as Low Price Auto Glass. I never had to visit one of them, but my impression was that they might install a used windshield from nextdoor.

I have replaced a couple of windshields myself, but all used a gasket. They weren't just glued in.

Greg Smith (Forum Supporter) said:

Call around and see who's hungry for work. 

And tell them up front you are paying cash.

In reply to Ashyukun (Robert) :

Actually, there is a question we didn't ask...

Was it cracked when you bought it?

For Challenge purposes, if your original purchase included a good windshield, then the case could be made to replace it without it hitting your budget.

If your purchase included a cracked windshield, then that is part of why the price was low...Lexan. 

In reply to SVreX (Forum Supporter) :

He said it was cracked when he bought it.  

Ive only removed one windshield and it wasn't hard. It was a bit tedious though. I used the harbor freight wire saw kit and the wire broke a few times. I also didn't find it very hard to move without breaking it. But I have never installed one - just sold that one to someone to have installed. 

SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:

Lexan. 
 

Will get you through the Challenge cheap, then you can replace it later if you want. That's what I did with my MINI.

Where do you get large enough Lexan sheet to replace a windshield? And how thick do you get such that it's sturdy but can still be formed to the contour of the windshield frame? If you had it replaced with a normal windshield did you have any trouble with the company who did it about the lexan?

Got a call back a few minutes ago from one of the local companies I asked for a quote from yesterday- $400 to do it. Glad I don't have a model with rain-sensing wipers, it sounds like that would make it even worse!

I've only once tried removing a windshield, and it was on the parts car FC3C I had- when I went to break it down completely I figured saving the good windshield was smart so tried removing it. Could NOT get any kind of wire saw to work, so just cut the surrounding frame off the car and kept it that way, which was how it was when I sold all of the parts after selling the car I had gotten the parts car to support.

Ashyukun (Robert) said:

SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:

Lexan. 
 

Will get you through the Challenge cheap, then you can replace it later if you want. That's what I did with my MINI.

Where do you get large enough Lexan sheet to replace a windshield? And how thick do you get such that it's sturdy but can still be formed to the contour of the windshield frame? If you had it replaced with a normal windshield did you have any trouble with the company who did it about the lexan?

Lexan is sold in 4x8 sheets. Cuts with a skillsaw (with the proper blade)

I installed it with adhesive (caulk?  Liquid nails?). When the time came for a real windshield, we just knocked out the old and cleaned up the glue. 

It's racing. Pretty sure I just used 1/8" thick Lexan. It wobbled, but I didn't care. I enjoyed the weight reduction. There is a thickness spec somewhere in the NHRA rules, but I don't remember what it is.

As far as the curves... most windshields are simple curves (bend in one direction).  Mine was. Lexan will bend for a simple curve.  Some windshields are compound curves (bend in two directions).  That requires heat and skill to bend the Lexan (I've never done it). 
 

$400 is too much for a Challenge budget.  The Lexan will probably be more like $60.

Good luck!
 

One other note...

The rules require a windshield. They do not require the entire windshield frame be filled with glass.

A 6" high piece of Lexan mounted to the cowl that was only on the driver side would meet the rules.  Budget hit less than $10.

Wear a helmet with a face shield.

NHRA is either 1/8th or 3/16th i keep seeing conflicting things, I think SCCA requires either 3/16 or 1/4