Lexan windshields

[michael Peay]

Does any one know were to get a Lexan windsheld for a dodge ram. About a year ago I watched a TV show that showed a lexan windshield company that makes the product for all vehicles. It also stated that the windsheilds were tinted just like OEM. Anyway the price was right and somehow I have lost the info on the company. Any info would be a great help. Thanks much

 

[LarryB]

Boy! I don't know. Sounds to me like the wipers would do a number on soft Lexan in a hurry. Maybe I'm wrong but Lexan face shields seem to scratch pretty easy.



Just my $. 02

 

[Shovelhead]

Most states do not allow lexan to be used as a windshield replacement for street-driven cars/trucks.

I agree it would probably scratch very easily.



Would be OK for a track-only vehicle though.



Good luck.

 

[BCFAST]

We are allowed to run Lexan windscreens on our race cars in the sanctioning body I compete under. Wipers are a no-no. They are not DOT legal for road use, either. The reason some racers use them is weight... both total weight, and the fact that the heavy glass is up high on the car, thus raising the center of gravity. Saving 8 or 9 lbs is a big deal on an 1800lbs car... but not on a 6000lbs truck. Personally, I run a glass windscreen on the racer as we run in rain frequently... and I need more than Rain-X at 150mph+!!!

 

[Un-Hemi]

I've been thinking about some way to 'coat' the existing windshield to protect it from rocks and other FOD. I've had enough grief at the glass shop when they have changed out the factory glass for something "equivilant". A Lexan overshield would work well. Anything to keep the original glass in good shape!



Tom

 

[JR2]

The owner of the local 4X4 shop told me to use that thick 3M clear film on my girlfriends jeep windshield. He said it would last long enought to pay for itself.



There was also a company that was putting a coating on windshields to protect them, but I have no ideal who.

 

[Doc Tinker]

The last time I got two chips fixed in the windshield, the glass guy tried to get me to replace it. He even told me that they would waive the deductible. I asked him if the new windshield was going to leak and he said "Does a bear ____ in the woods? Just bring it back and we'll add more goop!" I said "That's what I thought, just fix it. "



Doc

 

[Bill Lins]

Doc- if installed correctly (meaning ALL old urethane removed, glass and pinchweld primed, and new urethane placed) there is NO reason a replacement windshield should leak, especially on a Ram. The other clue you had is that legitimate shops will NOT waive the deductible for a replacement. Time you found a quality shop to do your work.

 

[Doc Tinker]

Thanks Bill - I'll take your advice on that one. Nothing worse than dealing with a leaky windshield



Doc

 

[Un-Hemi]

It appears to me from experience that the majority of glass shops are of the slap and dash variety. Quality glass shops are truly few and far between.

 

[jsimpson]

Motorcycles have Lexan windshields. Even without windshield wipers, it doesn't take long before they are too scratched and too hazy to see through. And unlike a motorcycle, you can't look OVER the windshield on your RAM!

 

[redramnc]

Reason the DOT doesn't allow Lexan windshields, side glass, back window, etc. is that, unlike safety glass that has a ply construction with a plastic layer between inside/outside glass layers, Lexan does not shatter - it breaks. And when it breaks it makes for a very sharp edge that can slice most anything (especially our frail outer skin layers) like a scythe.



Safety glass is tempered to make it explode into many small pieces instead of big sharp, jagged pieces. I personally would not want to be in a Lexan windshield-equipped vehicle in the event of a frontal or side impact severe enough to stress the windshield pillars enough to break it. Granted, it might take alot more to break it, but when and if it breaks there is a significantly increased chance of it doing alot more damage than safety glass does.



Just something to think about.