Exchange diffs and diff parts for Gisborne
Gisborne and the East Coast are a long way from anywhere by road, let alone from a differential workshop in Christchurch. SH2 over the Waioeka Gorge or through the Wairoa hills is the only way in for a truck, and SH35 around the Cape is the kind of road that finds any weakness in a 4WD. That isolation is why an exchange diff makes more sense here than almost anywhere else in the country.
The rebuilt unit comes to you first. There is no waiting for your old diff to make the long trip south and back. It leaves our workshop by courier, typically reaches Gisborne in two to three working days, and the old one travels back on the return label in the box. If you are on a rural address up the Coast, allow an extra day each way.
The vehicles that keep this region moving are the ones we keep exchange units for: Hilux, Ranger, Colorado, D-Max and Land Cruiser, on farms, in forestry and on the beaches. Open and LSD versions are stocked for most.
How it works from Gisborne
Four steps. Freight is on us in both directions.2 to 3 working days, typically
Dispatched from Christchurch, across Cook Strait on the freight network, then out on the local courier run.
Indicative only. Transit depends on the courier network and the time of day the order is placed. Tracking is emailed when the unit leaves the workshop.
- Rural delivery addresses: allow an extra working day each way.
- Oversize or heavy items such as complete beam axles travel with Move Logistics and are quoted by phone before anything is charged.
- Freight on exchange diffs is free in both directions. The return label for your old unit is in the box.
Vehicles we see a lot from Gisborne
Hill country and forestry 4WDs, and the utes that tow for the farms and the beaches. The East Coast shortlist.
In stock · 5 units Toyota Hilux Rebuilt Exchange Diff Toyota From $1,795 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 5 units Toyota Hilux N70 Rebuilt Front Exchange diff Toyota $2,495 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 3 units Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series LSD 4.1 Ratio Rebuilt Exchange Diff Toyota $2,395 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
In stock · 3 units Ford Ranger PK / PJ Rebuilt Exchange Rear Diff Ford $2,765 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
In stock · 5 units Holden Colorado RG Rebuilt Exchange Diff Holden $2,095 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 5 units Isuzu Dmax Rebuilt Exchange diff Isuzu From $2,495 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options Not seeing your vehicle? Around 120 units are on the shelf and not all are online yet. Send your rego and the team will check.
Fitting it near you
Gisborne has a good number of general and rural workshops, and up the Coast the local mechanic is often the only option, which is fine: fitting an exchange diff head needs no special tooling. The unit arrives with fitting notes and the ratio tagged on the housing, and the team will take a call from your workshop if there is a question about the model.
Given the distances, order the exchange unit before the old one comes out of the vehicle wherever possible. That way the ute stays usable until the swap day and the downtime is a few hours rather than a week.
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
Troubleshooting Common Toyota Hilux Differential Problems Learn the most common Toyota Hilux diff problems, including bearing failure, oil leaks, worn LSDs, and crownwheel and pinion damage. 
Troubleshooting Water in Your Diff: How It Gets In, What It Destroys, and What It Costs You Water in your diff destroys bearings and gears fast. Learn how it gets in, the warning signs to watch for, and how to prevent it. 
How-To Guides Diff Lockers: What They Are and How They Work What is a diff locker? Learn how diff lockers work, their advantages, and the differences between air, electronic, and auto lockers. Ordering from Gisborne: common questions
Does my old diff have to come to Christchurch before mine is sent?
No, and that is the whole point of an exchange. Waiting for your diff to travel to Christchurch, be rebuilt and travel back again would take a week or more. Instead the rebuilt unit comes to you first and your old one follows it back on the return label in the box.
How is the core charge handled when I am this far from Christchurch?
The core charge is included in the price at checkout, so there is one payment and no deposit to chase. When your old unit arrives back the team strips it and inspects the crownwheel and pinion. If they are reusable the core charge is refunded to the card or account you paid with. If the gears are damaged, the charge stays with the workshop and there is no further bill.
Can I do the swap myself?
You can, and plenty of customers do. The unit comes with fitting notes, the ratio is tagged on the housing, and the team is a phone call away if something does not look right. The warranty stays valid when the diff is fitted correctly and run on the specified Redline oil. If the job means pulling a beam axle, pressing bearings or setting up a front diff on a 4WD, a workshop is usually money well spent.
What if it turns out to be the wrong one?
Send your rego when you order and the team checks the fitment before anything leaves Christchurch, so this is rare. If a unit arrives and does not match, call before fitting anything. The right one will be sorted and the freight on the wrong one arranged. The key thing is not to fit or fill a unit you are not sure about.