1996 Fleetwood Sungate windshield

[cadillacmike68]

The 1996 Fleetwood got a stone chip and now has a crack in the windshield.

I'd like to get a Sungate windshield for a replacement.

Any info on getting one? And are they self powered or is there an electrical connection?

[Cadman-iac]

Mike,
I've not heard of a "Sungate" windshield. Where did you hear of it? Is it a name brand or something else? Is that one that has a defrost option, a self heating glass ? You mention an electrical connection is why I ask.
Rick
_

[cadillacmike68]

Sungate was an optional windshield on Fleetwoods back then. It was made by PPG. It has an additional layer to reduce the heat load, etc

[Cadman-iac]

Ah! Ok. Sort of like the "E-Z-EYE" from earlier years. Just upgraded.

I would think the aftermarket glass companies would have that available.
I've never had to order one when I was at the  dealership.  If someone needed one then they  usually were referred to a glass company. Even our own body shop didn't usually install windshields,  it was subcontracted out.

[Dan LeBlanc]

Sungate is a windshield manufactured by PPG.  PPG has exited the glass business altogether - it sold off the auto glass LKQ and architectural glass to Vitro. 

Sungate is basically a solar-control windshield (kinda like low-e windows in your house).

Your auto glass shop may be able to, through its distributor, be able to find one in the back of a warehouse somewhere, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[cadillacmike68]

OK, so I need to get ahold of the auto glass companies. I wonder if USAA (insurer) will try to force me to a particular glass co.

[Cadman-iac]

OK, so I need to get ahold of the auto glass companies. I wonder if USAA (insurer) will try to force me to a particular glass co.

You can almost count on that. And if its not broken but only chipped,  they'll want it to be repaired first.  If that's not possible,  then you can get a new one.
But then again,  almost all the insurance companies do that now.
Good luck with that.
Rick

[Dan LeBlanc]

Here in Canada, they can suggest you towards a certain shop or national chain, but they can't force you to go anywhere.  It's likely that way in the US also.

[Cadman-iac]

Here in Canada, they can suggest you towards a certain shop or national chain, but they can't force you to go anywhere.  It's likely that way in the US also.

I'm sorry, I think I might have misunderstood Mike's question.  What I had meant was that the insurance companies would have you get the glass repaired first if possible,  before you attempted to get it replaced.
I've not experienced any of them steering you to a particular vendor over another.
I know that some people say that, but I've not seen it.

Sorry for the confusion.
Rick

[cadillacmike68]

It's impossible to repair, the crack is halfway across the windshield angling down. 

I have a line on an aftermarket Sungate replacement, referred to in GM tech docs as "windshield, heat reflective" or "solar coated" in the glass industry. There are very few of these floating around any more, but I'll be optimistic. The glass repair shop says they can get it. I think the glass is maker Fuyao, whatever. I can't keep the old windshield because eventually I'll get stopped and chewed out by the men in blue (or grey, brown, whatever).

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Once a windshield has deformed (cracked) in certain parts, the law says that it has to be replaced.

A bit like people driving with things hanging from their internal rear vision mirrors.   It is illegal, but very few get pulled up for it.

Bruce.

[cadillacmike68]

I was able to find a glass shop that has the "solar" control windshield. It's in. Doesn't look like it does a whole lot so a mild inside tint will be next. But at least it's now replaced.