Trying to figure out which tint I want to put on my new truck. I have a 2017 XLT SuperCrew in Magnetic Grey. I want to tint the front windows and do something with the wind shield. My state law says no more than 35% in the front and the windshield, No tint at all below the 5" mark. I'm either considering matching the front windows with the back and then doing a very light tint across the windshield or I'm going to stay legal, do a light 40-45% tint on the front windows to get close to 35% light transmission and do a sun strip on the top of the windshield. How does the sun strip look on our trucks? I'm trying to cut down the heat and UV coming into the cab. I may do 20% or 35% on the strip to make it more translucent and not as obvious. I don't mind lighter tint because I'm more concerned with cutting down on heat than having the tinting look, although I don't like how the factory front windows with no tint look so much more clear than the rear privacy glass.
Thanks-

 

I did my front windows 35% to keep mine legal. I also tried to do the visor strip on the top of my front window and I ended up taking it off. It kind of looked a little odd and even though I told them I wanted the visor to be street legal they did not do so. I told them they had to be above the AS1 line then they installed what the computer generated and it was clearly 2" or more below. They gave me some BS trying to make me think it was legal and that cops never pull anyone over for the visor strip blah blah blah. So if you want that to be legal make it very very clear to make it legal or don't install it at all.

In terms of keeping the heat and UV down. I just went ahead and bought a weather tech sun shade and put it up in the front window every time I am going to park for a long time in the sun.

 

For the brow (sun strip) go as dark as you can. Police don't care about that area and it's useless if it's not dark enough to give you relief. On the front doors, be careful how dark you go. Aggressive tints can make it very difficult to see at night when you're driving through suburban or rural areas, and downright impossible to see in reverse when you back out of a parking spot. I ended up needing to add LED auxiliary backup spotlights to regain the use of my mirrors with 20% tints on the front windows.

You may want to check state law for exemptions to window tint restrictions. For example, I had eye surgery and that makes it legal for me to tint the entire windshield without any special paperwork. Regardless, you need to make an officer upset or uncomfortable for them to write you up for tints. In other words, roll down your windows and turn on your dome lights if you get pulled over. Give them a clear line of sight into the truck so they don't feel threatened. Be respectful and they probably won't ticket you for it unless you did something more serious to get pulled over in the first place.

Finally, don't cheap out on tint material. If you care about heat control, pay extra to get the ceramic type. There's a massive difference in temperature, although it may cost $300-$400 to do the full truck with ceramic.

 

We have the same windshield laws here about the strip. I don't like just the strip done, so I put 80% across the entire windshield, it's probably actually about 90%. It's barely noticeable but it really cuts down on the heat. I highly recommend it, and get the best ceramic they offer.

 

Has anyone use the 3m crystalline line?

 

I recommend a good ceramic tint. I have had great results with Llumar tints.

My 14 Stingray has what was there best ceramic tint on the doors, side and hatch, the CTX which is ceramic 30%. TN law is 35 and I have never been hassled about it.

I was so happy with that tint, My 17 Platinum has the Llumar ceramic tint. They still make the CTX but came out with an even better one, the Formula one Pinnacle ceramic. I did 30% on my truck front doors. I did 80% Llumar Air on the rear doors, rear window and the moon roof. It all matches well. It rejects heat well also. I am going back to have front window done in 80% Llumar Air.

 

JMO...

Go to the legal limit. In my experience, it's the heat you want to keep out. The tint percentage has much less, if any, effect. To ME then darkness is a personal preference. I stay legal so I don't have to worry about it. I want to keep heat out. Go with what you feel comfortable with. Just know that you may or may not have to scrap it off if it's too dark.

A guy at the campground last weekend went with 20% on the front. Looked cool, but he had to roll down the window at night. Not something I want to do. Your truck, your choice.

Someone will ill jump on here and say they see perfect at night with limo tint. YMMV.

 

Lol. I've got 20% on my entire windshield.


Anyways, you will definitely get heat reduction with the lighter tint as long as you go with a quality ceramic film. A good quality film will also appear to be lighter viewing from the inside out.

 

The windshield isn't the problem. Quality headlights cancel that out. The problem is the front door windows that don't have lights illuminating what you see through them. Drive through a poorly lit area at night and you won't be able to see if you're about to turn into a pedestrian.

 

I also have 5% on all of windows..... again, quality film.