Exchange diffs and diff parts for Otago
Otago is two regions in one. Down the coast on SH1 it is Dunedin, Oamaru and Balclutha: a university city, a port town and a farming centre with a conventional mix of utes and cars. Inland over the Pigroot or up SH8 it is Central Otago and the Lakes: Queenstown, Wanaka, Alexandra and Cromwell, where tourism, ski fields, high country stations and some of the roughest gravel roads in the country put a 4WD fleet through a lot.
Both halves are well served from our Christchurch workshop. A rebuilt exchange diff dispatched from Sydenham typically reaches an Otago address in one to two working days, and freight is free in both directions. For the Lakes and Central, Land Cruiser, Hilux and Safari front and rear units get the most calls. For the coast it is Colorado, Ranger, Hilux and the Commodore rear ends that Dunedin still runs in numbers.
The core charge in the price is refunded when the old gears come back and check out. Rural addresses in Central and the Maniototo should allow an extra working day on the courier.
How it works from Otago
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 Otago
Lakes and Central 4WDs, coastal farm utes and the Dunedin passenger fleet. The Otago shortlist, front and rear.
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 
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 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 
Low stock · 2 left Nissan Safari / Patrol H233B 4.11 Rebuilt Front Exchange Diff Nissan $1,995 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 · 3 units Ford Ranger PK / PJ Rebuilt Exchange Rear Diff Ford $2,765 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 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
Dunedin has the widest choice of workshops in the region, and Queenstown, Wanaka, Alexandra, Cromwell, Oamaru and Balclutha each have mechanics who know the local fleet well. Any of them can fit an exchange diff head. The unit arrives with fitting notes and the oil spec, and the team is on the phone to the workshop if there is a question about the model.
For 4WDs from the Lakes and Central, it is worth having both diffs looked at when one is swapped. Gravel, river crossings and the ski roads wear front and rear together, and front exchange units are stocked for the common Toyota and Nissan models.
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. 
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. 
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. Ordering from Otago: 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 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.