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Tough Stuff: Gorilla Glass offered as windshield replacement for Wrangler, Gladiator

It'll be available for JK and JL Wranglers, plus its pickup truck cousin

Matthew Guy
Jul 13, 2021  •  July 15, 2021  •  1 minute read  •  Join the conversation
2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel
2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel Photo by Justin Pritchard

The Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are a couple of favourite models for off-road fun. As anyone who’s ever ventured further off the beaten path than that gravel patch at the mall can attest, however, there is a non-zero chance of a branch or rock thwacking itself off your rig’s windshield and leaving you with an insurance claim. Jeep hopes to alleviate that with Gorilla Glass replacement windshields.

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The new windshield, which is part of the constantly expanding Jeep Performance Parts catalogue, is made with Corning Gorilla Glass and uses the same chemical-strengthening technology as cell phone screens. Mopar claims this combination of an ultra-thin Gorilla Glass inner ply with a 52 per cent thicker outer ply makes for a windshield that’s lightweight and durable, while offering superior resistance to chips, cracks, and fractures.

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Since Jeep zealots owners tend to be a vocal bunch, Mopar has taken pains to point out the replacement windshield features all of those Easter Eggs that come from the factory. They have seen fit to add the Gorilla Glass brand’s signature gorilla head artwork; it’s up to you whether that’s a good thing.

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There’s every chance in the world that innovation like this was spurred on by the arrival of Ford’s new Bronco. With the crew at Jeep looking for every advantage they can muster against the burly new off-road competitor, you can bet this won’t be the last gee-whiz innovation from the brand. The real winners in all this are off-road fanatics like your author — and glass installers, of course.

Price? Just over 800 bucks for the JL Wrangler and JT Gladiator, while owners of the older JK Wrangler will get away with an expenditure of just 650 simoleons. Later in the year, JL/JT options will also include windshields to accommodate the factory-fitted forward-facing camera and surround heater. Expect those to ring up a tally of roughly $1000.

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