A used differential is only a bargain if the gear ratio matches. Bolt a 3.42 carrier into a truck built with 3.73 gears and you get driveline whine, a wrong speedometer, and a second labor bill. We read yours first.
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Search our massive inventory of OEM drivetrain components. Whether you need a complete rear axle housing, a direct-fit replacement carrier, or matching axle shafts, we supply the exact parts for your build.
Every dollar figure below is a market range from independent 2026 repair-cost guides, not our pricing.
Shop labor is the same whichever part you fit: $510–$1,000, three to five hours at $170–$200 per hour. The part is the only line you can move, and on a dealer job it is over half the invoice.
A used OEM carrier retains the original casting, factory tolerances and axle ratio. On vehicles more than five years old it is functionally equivalent to a new unit, typically at up to 70% less than dealer component pricing.
Remanufactured units add cost through the exchange requirement: a core deposit, a return pallet and outbound shipping to send your old assembly back.
Send your VIN. We confirm your gear ratio before you pay anything.
Our specialists pull the factory build sheet and read your axle code directly: 3.08, 3.42, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, G80. We never estimate from year and model — the same truck was built with three or four different ratios depending on the tow package.
Before a unit is cleared, we check the gear pattern, measure backlash against factory tolerance, examine the fluid for metal, and review ring-and-pinion condition and case integrity.
We document the unit with detailed images as it comes off the donor vehicle and send them to you for review. Nothing leaves our facility until you approve. Once approved, we drain, crate and dispatch it, with shipping covered anywhere in the US.
The centre section holding the ring gear, pinion, spider gears and case. That's what bolts into your existing axle housing, and what most shops mean by "a differential".
The full rear axle including housing, both shafts and carrier, dropping in as one unit. Usually the faster repair when the housing is damaged or shop time is expensive.
Sometimes the differential isn't the problem. We stock axle shafts and complete axle assemblies as standalone units.
Four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles carry a front differential too, and it fails differently — usually at the pinion seal, the actuator on disconnect-style axles, or the carrier bearings after low-range use. We stock front units for F-150, Super Duty, Silverado, Sierra, RAM 1500/2500, Wrangler, Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner and Frontier.
Front ratios must match the rear exactly — a mismatched pair binds the transfer case in four-wheel drive and destroys both ends. We verify both from the same VIN.
How many times the driveshaft turns for one full turn of the wheels. Lower numbers like 2.73 favour fuel economy; higher numbers like 4.10 favour towing.
The factory's shorthand for the whole rear-end spec — ratio, differential type and axle family. GM uses RPO codes: GT4 is a 3.42 ratio, G80 a factory locker.
Install the wrong ratio and your speedometer reads incorrectly, the transmission shifts at the wrong points, and on a four-wheel-drive vehicle a front-to-rear mismatch destroys the transfer case.
Types: open, limited-slip (LSD, Posi, Trac-Lok, Auburn), factory lockers including GM G80 and Ford E-Locker, electronic lockers, independent rear suspension (IRS) carriers, Eaton and Detroit units.
No axle tag, no build sheet?
Call 1-800-606-1107 and we will pull your axle code free.F-150, F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Ranger, Explorer, Expedition
Silverado 1500/2500HD, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Canyon
RAM 1500/2500/3500, Durango, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Rubicon
Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Titan, Frontier, Pathfinder
We are a US nationwide shipper, not a local yard. Shipping is free, and we deliver to shops and driveways across the country — Nevada and Arizona to Texas, Florida and the Midwest. Plan roughly three weeks door to door.
Note: A differential is a heavy, palletized item. We need a commercial address with a named contact and a forklift or dock.
Every used differential carries a 90-day warranty, parts only. Labor is not covered, and neither are carrier bearings, housings, sensors or U-joints.
Claims: Require a diagnostic report, an installation report and photo or video of the fault. Cancellations and wrong-part returns carry a 25% restocking fee.
Discover why professional mechanics trust our tested differentials for perfect gear ratios and smooth operation
Expert guidance on buying used differentials for all major vehicle brands. Learn about inspection, compatibility, and installation requirements for front, rear, and limited-slip differentials for your car, truck, or SUV.
Premium Used Auto Parts ships complete used differentials nationwide. Call 1-800-606-1107 or submit your VIN through the form above. A drivetrain specialist confirms your exact gear ratio, checks stock, and quotes before you pay anything, and we photograph the unit for your approval first.
Shops quote $2,010 to $6,000 for a full rear differential replacement using new or dealer parts, with labor alone at $510 to $1,000. A used OEM unit removes most of the parts cost. Your price depends on gear ratio, locker type and vehicle, so call with your VIN.
A gear ratio is how many times the driveshaft turns for one full turn of the wheels. A 3.73 differential has 41 ring gear teeth to 11 pinion teeth. Lower numbers like 2.73 favour highway fuel economy; higher numbers like 4.10 favour towing and acceleration.
An axle code is the factory identifier covering your whole rear-end specification: gear ratio, differential type and axle family in one code. GM uses RPO codes such as GT4 or G80. Ford stamps a two-character code on the door jamb sticker. Your VIN returns it.
Most units ship as a complete carrier assembly, meaning the centre section only. We also stock complete rear end assemblies that include the housing and both axle shafts, which is usually the faster repair when the housing itself is damaged. Tell us which your build needs.
Yes, for four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive trucks and SUVs including F-150, Super Duty, Silverado, RAM, Wrangler, Tacoma and 4Runner. Front and rear ratios must match exactly, because a mismatched pair binds the transfer case, so we verify both ends from the same VIN.
Used differentials carry a 90-day parts-only warranty on major internal components. Labor is not covered, and carrier bearings, housings, sensors and U-joints are excluded. There is no core charge and nothing to ship back. Claims need a diagnostic report, installation report and photo or video evidence.
Call our drivetrain specialists with your VIN. We confirm your axle ratio, check stock and quote freight. Zero core charges, tested before it ships.
