Exchange diffs and diff parts for Waikato
The Waikato is dairy country first and everything else second, and dairy country runs on utes. A Hilux or Ranger on a farm around Hamilton, Morrinsville or Te Awamutu will tow calf trailers, feed, fencing gear and quad bikes across paddocks and down races every day of the year. The rear diff takes that load at low speed, in all weather, and it is often the first thing on the vehicle to complain.
When it does, an exchange diff from our Christchurch workshop means the ute is off the road for the swap and nothing more. The rebuilt unit is dispatched first, typically arriving in two to three working days, and your old one goes back in the same box on the return label we include. The core charge in the price is refunded once the old gears are checked.
Away from the farms, Cambridge brings horse floats and the trucks that pull them, and Taupo brings boats on the lake and 4WDs heading into the back country. All of it points to the same handful of vehicles we keep rebuilt units for.
How it works from Waikato
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 Waikato
Farm utes, float towers and lake boat haulers. The exchange units and kits Waikato drivers are 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 
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 · 5 units Toyota Hilux N70 Rebuilt Front Exchange diff Toyota $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 
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
Hamilton has a deep bench of general and 4WD workshops, and the rural service towns all have a mechanic who looks after the local farm fleet. Any of them can fit an exchange diff head. It bolts in where the old one came out, the fitting notes and oil spec come in the box, and the team will talk to your workshop by phone if they have a question about a particular model or ratio.
For a farm ute that cannot be spared for long, the practical approach is to order the unit before the old one is pulled. It arrives, the workshop books the vehicle in, and the swap is done in one visit.
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
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! 
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. Ordering from Waikato: 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.
Is the core charge different for out of town orders?
No. One price covers the diff and the core wherever you are. The core part is refundable and comes back to you when your old unit arrives in Christchurch and the gears check out. The only thing to watch is that the old diff actually goes back, because the refund cannot be processed until it does.
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.
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.