o2 Sensor Interchangeability

[4runn4r]

I have a 1997 4Runner SR5 3.4L V6. My check engine light is on for right bank 2 o2 sensor. I would like to get a new one but it is a little lower on the list of things to be bought.
I know this is a band-aid solution/the part may not work thing. I found a vehicle at my local salvage yard.

Will a 2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited 2WD 3.4L V6 o2 sensor fit my vehicle? From what I see searching local part stores...it does. I just want to double check before I go and do the work.

 

[JayRolla]

Yes it should work, Oxygen / AFR Sensors - Underdog Racing Development

 

[4runn4r]

Thank you! Stupid question but grabbing any of the 4 off the scrap vehicle will work...correct.

 

[JayRolla]

1999 & 2000 49 State 2WD & 4WD auto V6; Front = 234-4162 1999 & 2000 49 State 2WD & 4WD auto V6; Rear = 234-4162

According to this front and rear are the same and there are two of them. Thought the cali's had the 4 sensors, but what do I know.

 

[4runn4r]

Thanks again!

 

[jeremyc74]

Not to stop you from trying, but you're probably wasting your time. Anytime I've ever removed and replaced an O2 sensor it fails shortly afterwards. It's my understanding that the ceramic inside gets brittle and won't take the abuse of being removed and retorqued.

Of course, most of my experience has been with the screw in type, and not the flange mounts that we have on the 4Runners, so that might make a difference.

The CA emissions models are definitely different from the Federal version though, so be careful.

Just FYI, you can get the Denso OEM quality sensors on Rock Auto for about $40 for a non-CA vehicle.

 

[gamefreakgc]

For the record, with the exception of the California emissions vehicles with a different setup, the O2 sensor are all the same. It's the length of the wire harness that is different.

You might pull one off that rig and then come to find out the wiring harness is too short.

 

[JayRolla]

Not to stop you from trying, but you're probably wasting your time. Anytime I've ever removed and replaced an O2 sensor it fails shortly afterwards. It's my understanding that the ceramic inside gets brittle and won't take the abuse of being removed and retorqued.

Of course, most of my experience has been with the screw in type, and not the flange mounts that we have on the 4Runners, so that might make a difference.

The CA emissions models are definitely different from the Federal version though, so be careful.

Just FYI, you can get the Denso OEM quality sensors on Rock Auto for about $40 for a non-CA vehicle.

The denso remakes are not OEM quality as they have different part#'s. The denso auto parts are not like the OEM auto parts. I have found this to be true when ordering denso fuel pumps from auto parts stores and comparing to my oem denso units. Not the same at all.

 

[TheDurk]

The denso remakes are not OEM quality as they have different part#'s. The denso auto parts are not like the OEM auto parts. I have found this to be true when ordering denso fuel pumps from auto parts stores and comparing to my oem denso units. Not the same at all.

Well, my factory OEM A/F sensor lasted 80,095 miles and died due to a P1135. My replacement Denso "remake" (I don't believe that is the correct word as Denso made them in the first place) has lasted over 85,000 miles and is still going strong. I would not hesitate to buy another one, given the ridiculous premium price charged by dealers compared to what I paid on Amazon for the Denso. It sure looked identical when I changed it. I also have 75k on the rear one, but the original lasted 90k, so the jury is still out on that one.

I will also confirm all the O2 senors and all the A/F sensors are the same, within each type, except for wire length and the screw-in rear O2 sensors on the '01 and '02s. Cali's have 2 sensors, not 4, an A/F in front and a normal o2 in the rear. Even if the 2000 is a Cali'and has an A/F in front, you can use the rear sensor in front or back on your '97. Even if the 'new' one is too short, if you are good with a soldering gun you can splice your new sensor to your old plug and have plenty of length. Just the same as buying the universal O2 sensor that Denso sells. Not ideal as splices do fail, and need to be done well to be electrically transparent, but if you are on a budget...


I don't buy the 'can't transplant' story either. Sounds like dealer parts counter FUD rather than the truth. The vibration from being attached to the motor by a rigid pipe in daily life has to exceed the trauma from the transplant. I don't see a lot of stress going from the flange to the element. The screw-ins may indeed be different. Again, if the budget is tight, go ahead. The 2000 will have its share of miles, but if you are lucky, maybe it was a replacement. I'd say the majority of these sensors have already been replaced once by now, as both of mine have.

Finally, if you have a choice, use a rear sensor as your transplant. The temps are cooler post-cat so the rears last longer.

 

[jeremyc74]

The denso remakes are not OEM quality as they have different part#'s. The denso auto parts are not like the OEM auto parts. I have found this to be true when ordering denso fuel pumps from auto parts stores and comparing to my oem denso units. Not the same at all.

Denso made the original ones for Toyota that came on the truck. Their part numbers cross reference to the original OEM number, and I've changed both on my truck and they were exactly the same as the ones that came off of it.

When you go buy one from Toyota you're getting a Denso part with a Toyota part number on it instead of theirs.