Exchange diffs and diff parts for Nelson
Nelson is a port and fishing city at the top of the South Island, a good five hours from Christchurch by road over the Lewis Pass but only one to two working days by courier. For a Nelson driver with a noisy diff that is the number that matters. The rebuilt exchange unit leaves our Sydenham workshop first, arrives at your door or your mechanic's, and the old one goes back in the same box.
The fleet is more varied than in the farming regions. Fishing and marine trades around the port, boats on trailers heading to the Abel Tasman or the Sounds, commuters from Stoke and Atawhai, and the forestry and orchard utes that come in from Tasman for servicing. Ranger, Hilux and Colorado rear ends, Commodore and Falcon units, and the occasional Land Cruiser from the Maitai or the back of the Brook.
Freight is free both ways on exchange diffs, the core charge in the price is refunded once the old gears are checked, and the warranty is 12 months or 20,000 km when the unit is fitted correctly and filled with the specified Redline oil.
How it works from Nelson
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 Nelson
Marine trades, boat towers and the Nelson commuter fleet. The exchange units we would expect to send most often.
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 Toyota Hilux Rebuilt Exchange Diff Toyota From $1,795 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 5 units Holden Colorado RG Rebuilt Exchange Diff Holden $2,095 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
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 
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 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
Nelson has a solid spread of general, 4WD and marine workshops across the city, Stoke and Richmond, and any of them can fit an exchange diff head without special tooling. Fitting notes and the oil specification come with the unit. If a workshop wants to confirm something about a model before starting, the team takes those calls daily.
A boat towing ute that has been in salt water regularly is worth having the pinion seal and axle seals checked at the same time as the swap. Salt gets into places oil should be and the damage shows up as noise months later.
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
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. 
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 Lifetime Diff Oil, Is It Really Lifetime? Manufacturers call it lifetime oil, but is it really? Learn the facts about differential oil and why changing it may save you thousands. Ordering from Nelson: 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.