Denso is OEM manufacturer. So there isn't really a Denso vs Toyota OEM. It IS Toyota's OEM. You can buy denso like products, but normally they don't compare. I will tell you this, some Napas/Oriellys ETC can get you OEM stuff. It will come with a NAPA part number on it, but will be a genuine denso part underneath.

 

DENSO is OEM Toyota (or at least 90% of the parts).

Actually most people argue that the real reason behind Toyota's reliability is the fact that DENSO makes the parts for Toyota.

One thing I have noticed in the past few years though, is that not all DENSO parts (even if they are exact fit or alternate numbered part) are made in Japan.

For example, I have a 2000 4Runner limited, and when my radiator took a shit....I went to the local Toyota dealership to get a quote on a replacement. They had a few in stock and cost ~$280.00 but it said Made in Japan on the label. I then decided to shop around a bit and came across the same part from DENSO (and stated OEM alternate part) online for ~$175.00 but made in Taiwan. Same exact thing as the original....exact fit and finish and identical to the one from the dealer.....just not Made in Japan. I still ended up getting the one at the dealership.

I for one try to get Made In Japan parts as much as possible....I love the quality of Japanese made anything. Even though DENSO is a Japanese company, where the part is manufactured makes a huge difference as raw material is sourced locally in that country and might not be of best quality. For example, take a look at some of the Mercedes and BMW's that are built outside of Germany.....not that they are total crap, but a majority of the failures with those cars is due to parts not sourced from Germany. Euro cars still manage to do well because of their legacy reputation when their cars were 100% built in Germany.

Anyhow, not to start a ranting war....if you have a chance to buy Japanese made DENSO vs. non-Japanese made DENSO, always try and go the Made in Japan route.

 

LOL Okay i didn't know but great info appreciate it.

 

Glad to know now from reading other threads i see people do comparisions but now i understand thanks.

 

The only difference is the Toyota stamp on it and the price.

 

i agree with performancesound. i DID go ahead and buy a denso radiator from rockauto but it was made in Taiwan. i too prefer made in japan parts over anywhere else but did not know that Denso made parts in other countries.
i also noticed, when i worked for Toyota, that cars made in Japan had much nicer fit and finish and for the most part, better reliability than cars made in the USA. but thats just a side note haha.

 

i also noticed, when i worked for Toyota, that cars made in Japan had much nicer fit and finish and for the most part, better reliability than cars made in the USA. but thats just a side note haha.

Very true!

 

Whats funny is I bought a Waterpump for my 03 Taco (Duralast) and it was stamped with made in Japan on it . The casting and machining also looked better than my OEM pump... However the truck was assembled in Mexico. And I can attest to the quality difference between my made in Japan 4Runner / Supra vs made in Mexico Taco.

 

Don't confuse "Assembled in Mexico" with "Made in Mexico." Toyota, just like any huge international conglomerate, has many assembly and manufacturing plants all over the world. Just because its "Assembled in Mexico", doesn't mean it's "Made in Mexico." Take your example of the Tacoma....historically speaking, the Tacoma (to my knowledge) was never Made in Japan....it was was either assembled in Texas or Tennessee (can't remember which but it was in the U.S.). 70% of it's components, however, are in fact Made in Japan. The powertrain, differentials, interior electronics, and some braking components are Made in Japan....it's just not assembled in Japan. So, when you buy parts (Toyota, GM, etc...) my point is, always go with the Japanese made version of that part (not because Toyota is a Japanese company) but because Japanese manufacturing if far superior than any other countries. Take a course on 'Kaizen', and you will be shocked at how meticulous the Japanese manufacturing companies are.

 

Actually, Mexico made is still better than american

 

I bought a radiator from Amazon and it came with a lifetime warranty. I called the manufacturer on the box and they said if it ever fails they will send me a new one and didn't need to return the old one. The OEM radiator in my 2005 4runner failed at 4 years. A replacement radiator failed at 4 years again. The current one has been in the 4runner for 6 years (with a lifetime warranty).