Exchange diffs and diff parts for Manawatu-Whanganui
The Manawatu is where the North Island's roads meet. SH1, SH2, SH3 and SH56 all converge around Palmerston North, which is why the region is full of freight depots and why a courier from Christchurch gets here as quickly as it gets anywhere in the North Island, typically two to three working days. For an exchange diff that matters: the rebuilt unit arrives before the old one comes out.
The vehicles are a cross section of the country. Sheep and beef utes from the hill country behind Whanganui and up the Pohangina, dairy utes on the Manawatu plains, trade vehicles and student cars in Palmerston North, and the Horowhenua market gardens around Levin. Hilux, Ranger, Colorado, D-Max and Navara rear diffs do the bulk of the work, and we keep rebuilt units on the shelf for all of them.
Freight is free in both directions. The return label for your old unit is in the box, and the core charge is refunded once the old gears are inspected and found reusable.
How it works from Manawatu-Whanganui
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 Manawatu-Whanganui
Hill country and plains farm utes, trade vehicles and the cars that commute SH1. Likely swaps for the Manawatu.
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 
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 
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 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
Palmerston North and Whanganui both have a wide choice of workshops, and Levin, Feilding, Marton and the smaller towns each have a mechanic who looks after the farm fleet. Fitting an exchange diff head is a straightforward job for any of them. Notes and the oil spec arrive with the unit, and the team will answer a workshop's questions by phone before they start.
If the vehicle is a 4WD from the hill country, ask the workshop to check the front diff and the pinion seal while it is up. Front exchange units are stocked for the common Toyota and Nissan models.
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
Troubleshooting Repair or Exchange Diff: Which One Do You Need? Repair or exchange diff - which is right for your vehicle? NZ-wide free freight, 80+ models in stock, and core charge pricing explained. 
Troubleshooting How Much Does a Diff Rebuild Cost in New Zealand? Find out what parts go into a professional diff rebuild and why no two rebuilds cost the same. Expert insight from Gearhead Diffs. 
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. Ordering from Manawatu-Whanganui: 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.
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.
Is this a job I can do in my own shed?
Yes, if you are comfortable with it. A diff head swap on a live axle ute is within reach of a careful home mechanic. Follow the fitting notes that come with the unit, use the specified Redline oil, torque everything properly, and the 12 month or 20,000 km warranty stands. If you are unsure, any local mechanic can do it and the team will talk them through anything model specific.
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.