Exchange diffs and diff parts for Marlborough
Marlborough is vineyards on the plains, sheep and beef in the hills, and boats everywhere the Sounds touch the road. It sits at the top of SH1 on the Kaikoura coast, a straight run north from Christchurch, and a rebuilt exchange diff dispatched from our workshop typically reaches Blenheim or Picton in one to two working days. Freight is free in both directions.
Vineyard work is deceptively hard on a rear diff. Utes tow spray units, bins and gear down long wet rows at walking pace for weeks at a time during pruning and harvest, and that low speed load is what wears carrier gears and spider gears. Hilux, Ranger, Navara, Colorado and D-Max utes are the vineyard fleet, and we keep rebuilt units on the shelf for all of them.
Out in the Sounds and up the Awatere and Wairau valleys, Land Cruisers and 4WD Hiluxes on metal roads and boat ramps are the other half of the work. Front and rear exchange units are stocked for the common Toyota and Nissan 4WDs.
How it works from Marlborough
Four steps. Freight is on us in both directions.1 to 2 working days, typically
Dispatched from Christchurch on the overnight network. Alpine passes and the far south can add the second day.
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 Marlborough
Vineyard utes, Sounds boat towers and hill country wagons. What Marlborough is most likely to need.
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 
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 
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 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 & 100 Series LSD 4.1 Exchange Diff Toyota $2,395 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
In stock · 5 units Toyota Hilux N70 Rebuilt Front Exchange diff Toyota $2,495 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
Out of stock Toyota Hilux/Hiace 8 inch Disctrac LSD Toyota · Disctrac $1,595 incl GST Enquire now 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
Blenheim has a good range of workshops that service the vineyard and contractor fleet, and Picton and Havelock have mechanics who look after the Sounds vehicles. Fitting an exchange diff head is a standard job for any of them. The unit arrives with fitting notes and the oil spec, and the team will talk directly with your workshop if they want to confirm a detail about the model.
For vineyard fleets, timing the swap outside pruning or harvest is the main thing. Order the unit when the fault is confirmed, keep the ute on light duties, and have it fitted in one visit when the schedule allows.
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
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 5 Signs Your Differential Is About to Fail Spot the signs of a failing differential early, from whining and vibration to oil leaks and metal in the oil. 
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. Ordering from Marlborough: 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.
What happens with the core charge?
It is built into the price, not added later. You pay once, fit the exchange unit, and send the old one back on the prepaid label. The refund is processed once the old crownwheel and pinion have been inspected and found reusable. Badly damaged gears mean the core charge is kept, and that is the end of it. No surprise invoice.
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.