Exchange diffs and diff parts for Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay runs on two kinds of vehicle: the orchard and vineyard utes working the Heretaunga Plains around Hastings and Havelock North, and the farm 4WDs out in the hill country from Wairoa down to Waipukurau. Both end up in Napier and Hastings workshops with the same complaint, a diff that has started to whine, clunk or leak after years of towing and metal roads.
Our Christchurch workshop has rebuilt exchange units on the shelf for the Hilux, Ranger, Colorado, D-Max, Navara and Land Cruiser fleet that dominates the Bay, plus Commodore and Falcon rear ends for the cars that are still around in numbers. A unit ordered today is typically at a Napier or Hastings address in two to three working days, freight paid, with the return label for your old diff already in the box.
The core charge is part of the price. It comes back to you once the old unit arrives in Christchurch and the crownwheel and pinion are found reusable.
How it works from Hawke's Bay
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 Hawke's Bay
Orchard and vineyard utes, hill country wagons and the passenger cars still earning their keep. Likely Hawke's Bay swaps.
In stock · 5 units Toyota Hilux Rebuilt Exchange Diff Toyota From $1,795 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
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 
Low stock · 1 left Nissan Navara D40 Rebuilt Exchange Diff 3.69 ratio Nissan $2,995 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
Low stock · 1 left Toyota Land Cruiser 70 & 100 Series LSD 4.1 Exchange Diff Toyota $2,395 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
Made to order Holden Commodore VT-VZ Diff Rebuilt Exchange 3.73 M80 LSD Holden $2,495 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
In stock · 5 units Ford Falcon BA BF Rebuilt LSD Exchange Diff Ute Ford From $3,195 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
Napier and Hastings have plenty of workshops that can fit a diff head, and the rural towns from Wairoa to Waipukurau each have a mechanic who looks after the local fleet. The job needs no special tooling, the fitting notes are in the box, and the team is a phone call away if the workshop wants to confirm anything about the model before they start.
If the vehicle is a 4WD that has been on hill country roads, ask the workshop to check the front diff for play and leaks while it is up. Both front and rear exchange units are stocked for the common Toyota and Nissan 4WDs.
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
Troubleshooting Holden Colorado RG Diff Problems The most common Holden Colorado RG rear diff fault is carrier bearing failure. Learn the warning signs and why acting early saves it! 
Case Studies Isuzu D-Max diff failure Isuzu D-Max diff failure is common in the open carrier gears, causing clunking, and total loss of drive. Learn the signs, and fixes. 
Troubleshooting What Causes Diff Whine? (And How to Fix It) What causes diff whine? Learn the common reasons for diff noise and how to fix it before it leads to serious drivetrain damage. Ordering from Hawke's Bay: common questions
Do I have to send my old diff before you ship?
You do not. The rebuilt diff goes out first, you fit it, then the old one goes back in the same box. The core charge built into the price is the only security held, and it comes back to you once the old gears have been checked and found fit to rebuild.
Is the core charge different for out of town orders?
No. One price covers the diff and the core wherever you are. The core part is refundable and comes back to you when your old unit arrives in Christchurch and the gears check out. The only thing to watch is that the old diff actually goes back, because the refund cannot be processed until it does.
Can I fit it myself?
Yes. Most rear diff heads are a bolt in job for a competent home mechanic with a hoist or decent axle stands, and the warranty applies as long as the unit is fitted correctly and filled with the specified Redline oil. Fitting notes come with the unit and the team answers questions by phone. Beam axles and front diffs on 4WDs are more involved, so weigh up whether a local workshop is the better call.
I ordered online without a rego. What if it is the wrong unit?
Call before fitting it. An unfitted, unfilled diff can come straight back and be swapped for the correct one. To avoid the round trip altogether, put your rego in the order notes or send it through the enquiry form and the team will confirm the ratio and housing type before it goes out.