I'd like to replace the oxygen sensors of my '97 4 cyl Tacoma. Does anybody have a suggestion about which one I should buy? I cruised the internet and found a myriad of choices; one wire, two wire, three wire, four wire. Some are universal type. They go in price from $20 to more than $100. Is there one that is recommended over the other ones? Are the more expensive ones better? Should I just go to Autozone and buy the one they have? Thank you for any information you can give me.
You realize there are two sensors - one before the converter and one after?
Why not go to your Toyota dealer and get the right one? It might cost a few dollars more, but you are better off getting the right one the first time. The $20 ones are likely to require you to cut the connector off your current sensor and wire it to the new sensor. This is a recipe for disaster in the long run. If you don't want to go to the dealer, then at least get a Denso O2 OE Type Sensor. According to Rock Auto
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and Denso
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the Denso O2 Sensors you need are as follows:
1997 TOYOTA TACOMA 2.4L 2438cc L4 MFI (L) [2RZFE]: DENSO Part # 234-4162 - FRONT; Manual Trans - $84.79 DENSO Part # 234-4154 - FRONT; Automatic Trans - $95.79 DENSO Part # 234-4153 - REAR; Manual Trans / REAR; Automatic Trans - $87.79
1997 TOYOTA TACOMA 2.7L 2694cc L4 MFI (M) [3RZFE] DENSO Part # 234-4162 - FRONT; Manual Trans / REAR; Manual Trans / REAR; Automatic Trans. / FRONT; Automatic Trans. - $84.79
Autozone does carry Denso sensors. Their online catalog does list the correct Denso parts, but they say you need to check your local dealer. Don't get the universal sensors - they require you to cut the connector off your current sensor. Even if your Autozone has the OE type sensors, the Autozone cost for the OE type sensors is not competitive with either the dealer or Rock Auto.
If you go to the dealer, they are going to charge you about $140 for the sensors. The online Toyota OEM parts dealers (like
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) will sell them to you for around $112. Why do you want to replace the sensor? If your check engine light is not on, it is unlikely you need one. If you just want to replace one, just do the front one. The rear one monitors catalyst efficiency and it is unlikely it needs replacement.
If you've already diagnosed the problem as a bad O2 sensor, go with the OEM replacement part. The best combination of price and service for OEM parts I've found is at
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They're always 30% or more less expensive than the local Toyota dealer.
Thank you very much for the intelligent answers and suggestions. Somehow I didn't think about going to the dealer for the right sensors. You are right, Ed, going to the dealer is the most sensible thing to do and that's what I'll probably do. But first, I'll check the webpage that Ned recommends. Thank you, Ned. I'll buy the one before the catalytic converter. I need to change the oxygen sensor because the engine light was on and a mechanic friend of mine determined that that was the problem. The reason that I came to the group to ask questions is that my mechanic friend, who thinks that he owes me some favors, doesn't want to charge me for his work. Not even for the parts. I want to be able to at least buy the parts on my own. You must think why I have to make it so difficult. Well, I can't answer that. That's the way some relationships are, I guess. Anyway. Thank you guys for the excellent information. I appreciate it. Best regards Juan
They don't call them Toyota Stealers without reason. Go to a reputable auto parts dealer and buy the OEM replacement. Pick a reputable brand like Bosch or Denso or NTK and make sure the connectors are right. BYW - I believe the factory sensors were Denso. You'll have no problems. I have a 2000 Tundra and bad O2 sensors are a known defect on Toy trucks along with starters and exhaust manifolds on the 4.7s.
My sensor went out at 150K. Not too bad I guess. In my experience the '97 Tacoma is a good truck. My only criticism is about the original shocks, which failed at around 5K, and the driver's seat which lacks lower back support and is a killer for and old flatulence like me. Regarding the shocks, I first noticed the uneven wear on the tires at around
5K, but I didn't take the truck to the dealership until the truck had about
13K. The dealership (Frontier Toyota in Valencia, Los Angeles County) told me that after 12K the shocks were not covered. I went to an independent mechanic and had new shocks put on (Sensatrack, about $280 for four). Before doing the work the mechanic told me that the shocks should be covered by the warranty. I replied: "no, the dealership told me that they are not after
12K," and had the mechanic do the work. Afterwards, and after talk>> Have 128K + and my sensors are originals
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