Exchange diffs and diff parts for West Coast
The West Coast is the region we have the closest working relationship with outside Canterbury. It is over the hill from Christchurch on SH73 through Arthur's Pass or SH7 over the Lewis, and the Coast's vehicles come to us regularly, either on the back of a truck or as a diff in a box. The roads here are wet, the gravel is sharp, and the 4WDs work hard in mining, farming, forestry and the bush.
Because so much of what we do for the Coast happens at a distance, we have built up a list of workshops in Greymouth and Hokitika who inspect vehicles for us. They pull the diff, we freight it both ways free, they refit it, and you never leave town. For an exchange unit it is simpler still: the rebuilt diff arrives from Christchurch, typically in one to two working days, and your old one goes back in the same box.
Land Cruiser, Hilux, Safari, Ranger, Colorado, D-Max and Navara are the vehicles that keep the Coast moving, and we keep rebuilt front and rear exchange units for most of them. Water contamination is the most common cause of diff failure we see in units that come back from this side of the Alps.
How it works from West Coast
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 West Coast
Mining, farming and bush 4WDs, and the utes that tow for all three. The West Coast 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 N70 Rebuilt Front Exchange diff Toyota $2,495 incl GST and $250 refundable core charge Choose options 
In stock · 5 units Toyota Hilux Rebuilt Exchange Diff Toyota From $1,795 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 · 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 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
These are the workshops on the Coast who inspect vehicles for us and are used to working with the team in Christchurch. They can pull a diff for a repair, fit an exchange unit, or simply confirm what the noise is before anything is ordered.
Elsewhere on the Coast, from Karamea to Haast, any local mechanic can fit an exchange diff head. The unit arrives with fitting notes and the oil spec, and the team will talk to them by phone about anything model specific.
- West Coast Automatics and Gearboxes
- Coast Wide Honda
- Tony's Automotive and Engineering
- Gray Mechanical Ltd
- Bridge Motors Kaniere Ltd
- Waitaha Mechanical and Engineering
- Sammy's Autos
Guides worth reading before you order
All articles
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. 
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 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. Ordering from West Coast: 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.
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.
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.