David,

I didn't get in on all of this thread - but my experience has been that
the original German windshields that came with the Vanagon was a much
harder and more durable glass that what one normally finds here in the
USA any more. Dunno if that is good or bad. Just saying.

I sold my '85 GL in 1998. Had driven it down the Alaska Highway and the
windshield was still good. Had some sand pits, and a couple of pings -
but basically very sound and still very usable. The '88 GL I bought
still had the original glass, but after a year in New Mexico I had to
change it out. The newer glass seemed thinner and did't take road
punishment as well. Just a few years later, I had to replace it again. I
always opt for the windshield that has no extra tint anywhere. I prefer
to have my own windshield strip applied.

BTW - my son that owns the window tint business tells me that virtually
all auto glass these days has a green tint that they have to compensate
for when determining what window tint to apply to stay within the law.

John

On 5/1/2013 8:25 PM, David Bjorkman wrote:
>   Thanks Bill and Stacy.  I guess on one hand I shouldn't be surprised,
> but what a surprise to hear from Stacy too!  That's all the info I
> needed, and a lesson about tinted windshields.  I guess after 25 years
> or so, most windshields have been replaced and not many went to the
> trouble to get a German one.
> Dave B.
> On 05/01/13, Bill Monk<billmonk@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> David/All
> Here is the info I promised.-Bill M
>
> First a video if you want to do yourself
> of watch and decide its better left for a pro:
> http://campervanculture.com/2011/05/fitting-vw-t25-vanagon-t3-windscreen/ <http://campervanculture.com/2011/05/fitting-vw-t25-vanagon-t3-windscreen/>
> Second here is a clip from a post on thesamba.com from a fellow Vanagon
> driver also a glass pro:
>
>
> Glass ,a subject I know well ! ! ! A theme I have chimed in on many times .
> PPG no longer has replacement glass . They are now called PGW . While
> their parts are OK ,they are Chinese made as well .
> NO after market companies make an "All clear " windshield . I have
> talked to people who have bought a Clear glass through the dealer ,
> Marked with a VW Logo .
> All of the after market Vanagon Windshields are Chinese made and come in
> 2 varieties , A tint (glass all green with no band ) and a Shade ( Glass
> all green with a Green band across the top . The PGW shade has a Blue
> band across the top and makes your van look like a Ford Aerostar ,may as
> well get whitewalls and a bolder tint while you're at it .
> Keep your European van looking European . While I am at it ,make sure if
> they are replacing the seal ,that they get the proper "Grooved type "
> seal and not the rounded Bus type seal .
> Don't let them take the old one out with a razor knife and scratch the
> body .
> Ok again, here are the correct part #'s
>
> Green glass No band FW 416 GTN
> Green glass with band FW 416 GGN
> Green glass with Blue band FW 416 GBN
>
> Good luck
> Fewer and Fewer glass guy know how to install a rubber set window
> anymore . Quiz the people and be sure the Glass slapper they send out
> knows how to do .
>
> Stacy
> _________________
> 89 Syncro Tristar "Swedish"
> www.vanagonsplus.com <http://www.vanagonsplus.com/>
>
>