Window tint option

[MojaveJoe]

OK... Ive been researching new truck options for months now, but can't recall ever seeing an option for tinted windows.



Does anyone know if there is such an option in 04?

I would like to get factory tint on the rear half of my quad cab, if available.



Dark window tinting in the CA desert in summer is a good thing

 

[MMeier]

I think they all come that way if I'm not mistaken?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I think there is this law or technicality that won't let a vehicle manufacturer tint the front windows. The side & rear are, at least with the slider option. You'll have to go aftermarket up front, but there's been a lot of reports of scratching patterns left in the film on these trucks for some reason.



Vaughn

 

[Bill Littlefield]

comes with it

I think they all come with window tinting in the back seet of the crew cabs. At least the SLT and Larmie's do. I added it to the side windows of the front seats. Check first on the legality in your state. Different states have different laws regarding tinting of windows.

 

[KCJackson]

The reason a manufacturer can not dark-tint front door glass is because a truck only requires three windows to be legal - the windshield and those front door windows (think panel vans and semi tractors). A rear window is NOT required by law on a truck. Thus, in order to have a clear view of the exterior rear-view mirrors, the glass can not be tinted by the factory. Once purchased, local (state) laws take over.

 

[Dean Upson]

Thanks, KC. I always wondered about the tinting on the back and rear door windows. I wish the front doors had the factory glass the same as the rear. I understand that law enforcement has a problem with not being able to see in the car when they approach it and they have a point there, I think .



Dean

 

[KCJackson]

Dean, it's that "three window" rule that allows for a lot of loopholes when it comes to what can and can't be sold. Conversion vans use it so they can have those giant bay windows on the sides. DC made sure the PT Cruiser and Pacifica were classed as trucks to allow factory dark tint oif the remaining windows - the Pacifica is legally an SUV, the PT is actually a van by regulation (front passenger seat can be folded down).



Conversely, a "car" must have a rear window, and did not require the passenger side rear view mirror (although they pretty much all do have them now), thus a "car" can't have ANY factory dark tint because a driver must be able to see out that back window to the rear.

 

[JWChessell]

Take a look at California Vehicle Code sections 26708, 26708. 2 and 26708. 5 regarding window tint laws. Here's the link:



http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=26001-27000&file=26700-26712

 

[LightmanE300]

I have 20% all the way around(not windshield) on my Mercedes and 35% all the way around on my TDI. Had 20% on my Tahoe too. Never got hassled a bit, and got a few tickets for other things like speeding As posted above, they only care about the front windows. If I get pulled over, I just put them down. I wasn't familiar with the above mentioned 3 window rule, however I think the DOT wants you to have more visibility out of the front windows for making turns at night, and for police to see you. The laws in Florida allow 20% on rear and rear side windows, and 35% on the front windows. I dont like having two different grades of tint front and back, I think it looks cheesy, so I went all around on both cars. I prefer the 20%, it keeps the car even cooler and you are tough to see, but not blacked out. *Beware metallized tints, like the mirror/silver tints you see around, will kill your AM radio reception.

 

[MMeier]

AM radio , who listens to that anymore?

 

[Dean Upson]

Me .

Dean

 

[Swayse]

AM radio here too. Gotta have my talk radio.

 

[MMeier]

Sorry, I,I,I,I just did not know.

 

[FullSack]

It is illegal to have your driver and passenger windows (front ones) tinted in CA. However, if you have a ghetto looking (lowered Honda) type car you are basically begging to get pulled over. With a CTD, I doubt anybody would pull you over just for the windows, I've never seen it happen. Now, if you get pulled over for something else, they may add it to the list - maybe. At that point, it's just a "fix-it" ticket and you take the tint off, get the ticket signed, and then put it back on.

 

[KCJackson]

not too crazy about the dark tint on the rear-door and back windows either. With my work hours, I am always traveling at night. I like my "clear" windows on my 96 so if necessary, I can turn my head and look around without distortion at night.



AM radio? Can't get a decent traffic report or the game without it here in metro NYC.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

By far it's prolly less expensive to have the windows done at a reputable shop. Me I tint EVERY vehicle I have as this also saves the A/c system from serious laboring and keeps prying eyes out. I run medium over factory on the truck and honda , dark on the stang. Being everyone does it now the police rarely use the tint meeter on traffic stops.

http://www.doityourselftint.com/tintlaws.html