Thanks for all the replies.... Oh wait...
Anyway it actually turns out this sensor is easier to change than I thought. Take out the one bolt at the top of the intermediate shaft. Push the intermediate shaft down a little bit pop off the sensor, put the new one on put bolt back in. Steers like a new truck again. I was worried about the airbag for some reason. You can disconnect the battery on the 97 without upsetting your radio so I did. That disables the airbag I guess.