Windshield Protection

[Sixgun95]

After reading all the issues with replacement windshield, or the lack thereof, I asked my detailing guy if they had any recommendations. So I am going to have this installed, https://www.xpel.com/products/windshield-protection-film
$400. I rather pay now and hope it works instead of going through the headache, and living in AZ, its not if, its when.

 

[DaveK]

My wife has it in her NX350. Love it. Definitely prevents cracks from small to medium hits.

 

[Sixgun95]

Exactly what I need!

 

[jeffhardee]

My Xpel dealer seems to think the results are iffy. Let us know how it works out.

 

[LucBroDude]

My PPF installer said the Xpel windshield film is fairly new but he's seen good results from them. I will be having him install it on our Mini Cooper in the next few weeks and can report back. I'm currently running a protective film made by a company called Bray on our GX. No complaints and the clarity is great but I will be switching over to Xpel when the time comes to replace it. Only reason being I love Xpel products and the only reason why I didn't go with it first was the windshield film wasn't available when I had the entire car wrapped.

 

[Sixgun95]

In pick up the ride Tues, Xpel on windshield, tint and Feynlabs ceramic/paint correction Thurs.

 

[cilles]

I have XPel. I have one chip. Safelite was able to fix it from spreading (I hope) but it is still pretty visible, they couldn't cut off the excess for fear of hurting the Xpel. Because of that they didn't even charge me!

However I do have one chip. I have heard a lot of other hits though with no chips so I think it is doing some good. It is far from bullet proof though.

Another couple of side effects in case people don't know.

1. Rainbows - if you have on polarized sunglasses there are rainbows across the screen. the dealer said mine was worse than usual and it is distracting at times, makes other cars (and wildlife) seem different colors than they really are. I got a pair of non-polarized glasses to get rid of this but I miss how the clouds and distant smoke looks with them.

2. It scratches, pretty easily. They warned me that, over time, I would have scratches on it that may be visible - from the windshield wipers. If you run them dry to get dust off it is more likely. At 20k miles I have already had these noticeable for some months. It shows up as long skinny rainbow "reflections" depending on sun angle. Not there all the time and not too distracting at may ½"=1" maximum width.

I would have said if I had to do it over again I wouldn't - until I see that there is over 1k of back ordered windshields with no delivery in sight. Now I think it is worth it in case it really does prevent a full break.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Sixgun95]

I have XPel. I have one chip. Safelite was able to fix it from spreading (I hope) but it is still pretty visible, they couldn't cut off the excess for fear of hurting the Xpel. Because of that they didn't even charge me!

However I do have one chip. I have heard a lot of other hits though with no chips so I think it is doing some good. It is far from bullet proof though.

Another couple of side effects in case people don't know.

1. Rainbows - if you have on polarized sunglasses there are rainbows across the screen. the dealer said mine was worse than usual and it is distracting at times, makes other cars (and wildlife) seem different colors than they really are. I got a pair of non-polarized glasses to get rid of this but I miss how the clouds and distant smoke looks with them.

2. It scratches, pretty easily. They warned me that, over time, I would have scratches on it that may be visible - from the windshield wipers. If you run them dry to get dust off it is more likely. At 20k miles I have already had these noticeable for some months. It shows up as long skinny rainbow "reflections" depending on sun angle. Not there all the time and not too distracting at may ½"=1" maximum width.

I would have said if I had to do it over again I wouldn't - until I see that there is over 1k of back ordered windshields with no delivery in sight. Now I think it is worth it in case it really does prevent a full break.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Excellent write-up, thank you! Getting it installed tomorrow. Ridiculous the supply system is so screwed up!

 

[Yrag57]

Not sure if this even applies here, but I traded a 2019 4-Runner for my 2024 GX550. I had two windshields cracked on my 4-Runner within the first two years of ownership. Then I had a leveling kit installed. After that only one tiny chip that never ran.
I am convinced that the couple of degrees of angle change from the leveling was the difference. It may be pure dumb luck, but two major cracks in the first 25k miles and zero in the remaining 65k miles after the kit? Trucks are designed nose down, so they just level with a heavy load or tow. I never hauled more than suitcases and by making the angle of approach more acute allows most gravel to bounce off instead of causing damage.
I say all of this without knowing the exact angle of my GX, compared to the 4-Runner. But besides adjusting your headlights there are no negatives.
And I will never have to give up my polarized shades…

 

[AtomicEric]

Maybe a good cost justification to get the 2025 front coils installed? Seems logical to me. Let me know if the rational works with a significant other not specificity interested in modifications, yet?

 

[Yrag57]

Maybe a good cost justification to get the 2025 front coils installed? Seems logical to me. Let me know if the rational works with a significant other not specificity interested in modifications, yet?

I don’t know about specific coils. Mine is a 2024 with the Luxury package, which may not be as robust as the suspension on the off road models. Mine has the coil springs around the front shocks, but isn’t a true strut to my knowledge. Does the 2025 use a new suspension?
I have a 2014 Honda Pioneer side by side and was disappointed with the front suspension on it. Honda put a much more robust front suspension on the 2015 model. I changed mine out and it was a world of difference better.
But a leveling kit is subtle, relatively cheap, and only brings the front end up about an inch and a half. It doesn’t change the “look” of the vehicle radically and comes in far below the cost of a lift or drop kit.
And I will be looking at the windshield angle on my GX550. When the guy was changing out my windshield after the second crack on the 4-Runner, I asked about it and he said they get tons of 4-Runner and Tacoma windshield replacements. That’s what gave me the idea about changing the angle a bit. But again, I haven’t yet assessed the angle on my Lexus.

 

[AtomicEric]

On other posts there are discussions about how Lexus did the 1" lift on the 2025 OT models. So far it appears to be only a coil spring difference with the same shock. The thought in my post earlier being the 2024 OT owners might be able to swap the front springs out with the 2025 OT springs some day. This would level it out assuming it was not fully loaded. Hence to your point slightly changing the windshield angle.

 

[vraa]

Does the 2025 use a new suspension?

24 vs 25 OT OEM 1” Lift Details via reddit

I was told the Wescott leveling kit would not affect the warranty because that is the kit Lexus uses. Can you clarify? When does Lexus use a Wescott leveling kit?

www.lexusgxforum.com

 

[Sixgun95]

I had the Xpel windshield protection installed Friday, and I also had the inside of the front windshield tinted with 55%. Zero distortion, cannot tell anything is on there. I love the front windshield tinted, if you go light it doesn't make it darker, but keeps the UV rays out and I don't need sunglasses. I live in AZ, so it makes a big difference. Been doing this to my cars for 10 yrs now, if I didn't tell you the front windshield was tinted you would not know. The protection film cost me $500, the tint was $250. Full ceramic coating with Feynlabs (love this stuff) was $1400. Prices may be a bit high, but this place is super professional, and fantastic work.

 

[AtomicEric]

Let us know your thoughts on the xpel over time.