In relatively small vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler, having a cracked side window can lead to tons of different issues with your car even with safety. So if you have it damaged, you should replace it immediately.
But what’s the Jeep Wrangler side window replace cost? It can depend on some factors such as the model of the vehicle, but it’s usually between $200 and $450 for the parts, or a subtotal of up to $550 with labor costs.
There are a lot of details to know, though. So today, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Jeep Wrangler side windows such as the replacement cost, factors that affect the price, and more. Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
Jeep Wrangler Side Window Replace Cost
The replacement cost of the side windows on a Jeep Wrangler can vary a lot depending on the year of the Jeep Wrangler, the model, and the level of damage. But aside from that, the two biggest factors that affect the price are your location and the type of window you’re getting.
Location
Generally, just the parts for the replacement window will cost $100 to $200 most of the time, but in some cases as high as $350 for the parts and a total of up to $500 with the labor costs.
This is because the prices can vary a lot depending on where you live, and someone might pay $80 for labor costs while you might need to pay over $180. But on average, labor costs will be between $100 and $200.
Type of window
However, you also need to think about what type of glass you’re getting. For example, the prices of tempered glass, gorilla glass, and laminated glass can vary a lot. But overall, it’ll cost you around $100 to $350 for the parts and $100 to 200 for the labor, a total of $200 to $550.
Tools Required for Installing Jeep Wrangler Side Window
As you can see, the labor costs can be quite high for a replacement side window on the Jeep Wrangler. Because of this, you could be considering installing the window yourself. Here’s a list of the items you would need —
- A side window replacement kit
- Protective cover
- Masking tape
- Sharp knife
- Ammonia and Naptha cleaning solution
- Two clothes free of lint
- Jeep molding
- Pinchweld and Glass primers
- Adhesion promoter for glass
As you can see you do need quite a few tools and items, so you shouldn’t try to install the side window yourself if you don’t know much about Jeeps.
How to Install Jeep Wrangler Side Window
Now that you know about the materials you’ll need to install the side window yourself. Here’s a full guide on the installation process
Apply Protective Cover
First, you should apply a protective cover to the exterior of your Jeep. This will make sure that while you’re installing the side window, you don’t accidentally damage the paint or exterior of your Jeep Wrangler.Â
Cut The Molding
Now, use your sharp knife to cut the molding from the inside with the quarter class. Then you should sequentially and slowly cut around the perimeter of the molding along with the cap.
Afterward, use a cold but sharp knife to cut the urethane around your quarter windows. After doing these, you should be able to open your old damaged Jeep Wrangler side window completely.Â
Trim The Urethane & Place New Window
Now, that the glass is removed, trim the urethane a bit further leaving just a base of three millimeters. Now you can actually place your new Jeep Wrangler side window in the center of the opening against the fence.
Verify Measurements
Although a lot of people neglect this step, after putting the window in the opening fence, you should always verify the measurements with pencil grease. Also, make sure it’s aligned in the same way as the old window.Â
If you don’t do this step, it might cause even more damage in the future requiring you to change the windows again.
Clean The GlassÂ
You should now take the glass out and clean it though you might argue that it would be easier to clean it before putting it in. That’s because it would just get dirty again when you try to put it in the opening fence again.
Nevertheless, just use the ammonia-based cleaner first and wipe it with the lint-free cloth, and then do the same but with a Naptha cleaner. Make sure to use separate cloths, and clean the outer edges properly.Â
Place The Molding
Now place the new molding around your new side window glass, and apply the adhesion promoter around the perimeter of the glass. Let it sit for a couple of seconds, and dry it with a lint-free cloth again to let it dry.
You should do this same process again with the glass primer, but don’t wipe it with the cloth and let it dry on its own.Â
Apply The Primer
After placing the molding, you need to start securing the glass more in place. So apply a heavy layer of the Pichweld or any other type of 15mm primer across the entire opening glass fence. You should wait at least 3 minutes for it to dry, but it’s better to wait 5 minutes.
Then you need to add a urethane bead with a diameter of 10mm in the middle of the new glass fence surface, and you’re almost done.
Place The Glass
Finally, you can safely place the new glass in the marked position with the grease pencil markers and push the window inward, so the molding will keep it in place.Â
As a general safety tip, you should lift the tailgate and open the windows after doing this to make sure you won’t get pressure from urethane curing building up. After it’s done, remove the masking tape and you’re good to go.Â
When You Should Replace The Side Window On A Jeep Wrangler
Generally, it should be pretty obvious when you need to replace the side window on your Jeep Wrangler. Just check for any major damages or cracks, and if it’s a concerning amount of damage, replace it.
You generally won’t have to worry about it too much as the factory side windows are already quite sturdy. However, if you drive in rough conditions, just make sure there aren’t any visible holes or deep scratches, and that there aren’t alarming cracks either.
Change them immediately if there is damage as it can be a serious health hazard while driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aside from the Jeep Wrangler side window replacement cost, here are all the most frequently asked questions that we receive —
How long can it take to install a Jeep Wrangler side window yourself?Â
Professionally installing a Jeep Wrangler side window can take around one and a half hours as they’re used to doing these replacements. But if you do it yourself, it might take around 2 hours or more.Â
Does insurance cover Jeep Wrangler side window replacements?
Yes. If you have insurance on your Jeep Wrangler and your side window got damaged, they can cover the costs. But if the damage is caused due to technical issues or just normal tears after using the windows for a while, the insurance won’t cover the side window replacement.
What type of glass should I use for my Jeep Wrangler side window?
It’s up to personal preference. You should use laminated glass if you want a highly durable glass that will stay together even if it shatters. And gorilla glass if you want the best durability for a slightly higher price. Thus, the tinted glass if you prefer people from outside to not be able to see the inside of the Jeep.Â
Conclusion
The Jeep Wrangler side window replace cost is around $200 to $350 for the parts, but it can cost an extra $100 to $200 for the labor costs. Overall, with the labor costs included it will take $300 to $550 to replace it.
The wide range of prices occurs as the prices can be higher or lower depending on your location as well as the labor service. It also depends on the type of window such as tinted, laminated, or gorilla glass.
You could save some money by installing them yourself if you’re familiar with Jeeps and have worked with them before. But otherwise, you shouldn’t attempt it as it’s quite time-consuming and it’ll just be better and safer to get it done professionally. With that all said, good luck, and cheers!