I remember having the windshield in my '66 Bel Air replaced. That thing was heavy and thick, like about 1/2" thick. Windshields today are maybe 1/8" thick. That thing isn't going to stop much. I don't know how these windshields can even be considered as safe...when did windshields get to be so thin, and why?
When did windshields become so thin?
- Thread starter grampi
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Did not realize it. But glassx is better and stronger than back in the day.
PSU has invented "Lion Glass" which is AT LEAST 10X stronger (The glass is so tough current testing equipment can not precisely evaluate it) ., ighter, will not crack and requires much less energy. Look for it soon.
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/07/0...is-10x-tougher-has-half-the-carbon-emissions/
PSU has invented "Lion Glass" which is AT LEAST 10X stronger (The glass is so tough current testing equipment can not precisely evaluate it) ., ighter, will not crack and requires much less energy. Look for it soon.
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/07/0...is-10x-tougher-has-half-the-carbon-emissions/
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I bet weight savings had something do with it. Even today's glass weighs a lot to me, I don't think I'd want it any thicker.
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Technology at play here. Modern windshields are at least two layers with a “plastic” film between to prevent shards of glass from being released due to impact from a stone or such. Some have more layers with sound deadening and the glass is much stronger too.
I would guess weight (cafe standards - everything is lighther) and cost. Less material, less cost to ship, and so on.
Vehicles are much lighter in general - mass use of plastic, aluminum, etc.
Vehicles are much lighter in general - mass use of plastic, aluminum, etc.
I drove for years without one too, seems in the last few years there is way, way more junk on the road for whatever reason.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
We have only had maybe one or two at the most of all our vehicles with no cracks. Both cars we have now have rock chips! Stopped them from spreading with the old trick... Clear fingernail polish ASAP before they started. Have used that many times. Just about every vehicle we have ends up with chips or cracks.
Guessing 40 years ago.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
When did we all start getting so grumpi?
A modern safety windshield, laminated and made from two layers of tempered glass with a layer of polymer sandwiched between is about 5 mm or 0.2 inches thick. Acoustic windshields in luxury cars are thicker.
BITOG needs a subforum for concerns and complaints of all sorts.
BITOG needs a subforum for concerns and complaints of all sorts.
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I think another reason there are fewer cracked windshields today, is because of the much sleeker profile most cars are designed with. The windshields on both my 2015 Jeep, and my 2018 Toyota have much less of a vertical profile than on my 1991 F-150. (Today aerodynamics is everything).
Bottom line, stones and other debris distribute less of their energy when they hit. They, "glance off". Both my Jeep and Toyota have taken stone hits that would have almost certainly cracked the windshield in my 1991 F-150. (Which has had a total 5 windshields in it in 170,000 miles).
Bottom line, stones and other debris distribute less of their energy when they hit. They, "glance off". Both my Jeep and Toyota have taken stone hits that would have almost certainly cracked the windshield in my 1991 F-150. (Which has had a total 5 windshields in it in 170,000 miles).
Same with me. I am always impressed to see a high miles car with the original windshield without cracks.
The difference was materials of pure weaker glass in 1966 vs composite laminate glass which offers significant strength. The reality is now windshields are part of structural integrity of vehicle however in 1966 structural integrity was a joke comparatively.
A half inch? Was it an old Secret Service limo?
I never really got this until I bought my JL Wrangler, and the JL has the most sloped windshield of any Wrangler. Just the same, plenty of people wouldn't even make it home from the dealership after initial purchase without breaking a windshield.
Now, I don't even bother having it replaced immediately unless the crack bothers me. I'll just be doing it again in another 2 to 3 months no matter what....
Let me add something else. There is a game with respect to avoiding windshield strikes. Obviously, don't follow gravel trucks closely like I saw the clueless woman this morning in her new model Camry. She was drafting behind the gravel truck so closely I actually looked over to see who the moron was driving that thing.
More nuanced is that whenever you pass a big rig, pass them on a curve such that any road debris they fling up is tossed away from you. Also too, never be behind a gravel truck when passing over bridges or overpasses with pavement seams. Pavement seams shake the debris loose. And another thing, turn off the radio when coming up behind something suspect. You can't hear yourself being blasted if you're rocking out on the radio (no pun intended). Part of avoiding windshield damage is knowing how to drive.
Scott
More nuanced is that whenever you pass a big rig, pass them on a curve such that any road debris they fling up is tossed away from you. Also too, never be behind a gravel truck when passing over bridges or overpasses with pavement seams. Pavement seams shake the debris loose. And another thing, turn off the radio when coming up behind something suspect. You can't hear yourself being blasted if you're rocking out on the radio (no pun intended). Part of avoiding windshield damage is knowing how to drive.
Scott
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