Exchange diffs and diff parts for Taranaki
Taranaki is a ring of dairy farms around a mountain, with New Plymouth at the top and Hawera at the bottom and SH3 and SH45 running around the outside. Every one of those farms has a ute, and most of them have towed something heavy across a wet paddock this week. The energy sector around New Plymouth adds a fleet of well used trade utes and vans to the mix.
We are a differential only workshop in Christchurch, and we keep rebuilt exchange diffs on the shelf for the vehicles that make up the Taranaki fleet: Hilux, Ranger, Colorado, D-Max, Navara and Land Cruiser. When one of those develops a whine or a clunk, a rebuilt unit is dispatched first and typically arrives in two to three working days. Your old one goes back in the same box with freight paid.
Farm addresses around the mountain are mostly rural delivery, so allow an extra working day each way on the courier.
How it works from Taranaki
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 Taranaki
Dairy farm utes and energy sector trade vehicles. The exchange units Taranaki is most likely to call for.
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 
In stock · 3 units Mazda BT-50 UN Rebuilt Exchange Rear Diff Mazda $2,765 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Add to cart 
Low stock · 2 left Holden Colorado RG Rear Diff Bearing Kit Holden $595 incl GST Add to cart 
Low stock · 2 left Isuzu Dmax Rear Diff Bearing Kit Isuzu $520 incl GST 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
New Plymouth, Stratford, Hawera and the smaller towns around the mountain all have mechanics who look after farm vehicles, and any of them can fit an exchange diff head. Fitting notes and the oil spec arrive with the unit, and the team will talk directly to your workshop if they want to check anything before the swap.
For a dairy farm ute, the sensible sequence is to order the unit as soon as the fault is confirmed and keep driving gently until it arrives. The swap then takes a few hours and the vehicle is back in the races the same day.
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 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! 
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. Ordering from Taranaki: common questions
Do I need to send my old diff first?
No. The exchange unit ships first so your vehicle is only off the road for the swap itself. The price you pay up front includes a core charge for the crownwheel and pinion, and that is what covers the workshop while your old unit is on its way back. Once the old diff is boxed and collected, the core charge is refunded if the gears are reusable.
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 do the swap myself?
You can, and plenty of customers do. The unit comes with fitting notes, the ratio is tagged on the housing, and the team is a phone call away if something does not look right. The warranty stays valid when the diff is fitted correctly and run on the specified Redline oil. If the job means pulling a beam axle, pressing bearings or setting up a front diff on a 4WD, a workshop is usually money well spent.
What if the diff that arrives does not fit my vehicle?
The diff is matched to your rego and ratio before dispatch, which catches almost every mix up. If something still does not line up when it arrives, do not fit it. Ring the team, the right unit is confirmed and sent, and the return freight on the wrong one is handled by the workshop.