The evolution of vehicle transmissions has been going on for many decades. Literally, since the first vehicle was made. The auto industry has seen tremendous improvements into what we have today as the automatic transmission. However, it is also important to note that with most manual transmissions, you will find what is called 4 speed transmission as well as 5 speed transmission. Assuming that these two options do not have any overdrive, then there is some significant difference that is noticeable with performance and dependability of the Japanese mini trucks. Here, we will be comparing 4 speed to 5 speed Japanese mini trucks.
Like any other vehicle out there, the Japanese mini trucks too have both 4 speed models and 5 speed models. But what is it really with the 4 or 5 speed.Is the additional gear necessary and does it give the vehicle a performance advantage? This is what we aim to uncover in this guide.
Comparing 4 speed To 5 Speed Transmissison
The Overdrive Function
Does the extra gear mean just another increased option for rpm? Or is there more than just the additional gear. The reason why the common speed gear transmission without overdrive differs is that an overdrive acts as an extra gear. So, in such an instance where there is an overdrive, a 4-speed transmission will be considered as having 5 forward gears. Similarly, 5-speed transmission is considered to have 6 forward gears.
When it comes to the transmissions that have an overdrive function, especially when it is an automatic vehicle, then there is little difference between the 4-speed and 5-speed transmission. To bring it into perspective a 4-speed transmission with overdrive has 3 lower output gears, a gear that runs the same speed as the engine (1:1) and another one that runs faster. But in the case of a 5-speed transmission with overdrive, 4 are lower output gears while the other two are made up of one running with speeds as that of the engine and another higher one.
Automatic or Manual?
Both manual and automatic can have 4 and 5 speed transmissions. There is a difference in how these vehicles handle the 4 speed and 5 speed transmissions. You will realize that the gear ratios are different. And this is simply because of how smooth they handle the 1st gear ratio. An expert will tell you that an automatic will handle it pretty smoothly, while for the manual, it may cause some wearing out of the clutch sooner. This can however vary from one Japanese mini truck to the other.
Basically, the advantage that an additional gear offers is the chance to increase the rpm of the engine. You will be having more options to switch to and be able to move at faster speeds rather than just being limited to one. That said, a 5-speed transmission has an advantage over the 4-speed transmission system.
Dependability & Reliability
We all want to have a vehicle that is reliable and dependable in every situation. However, not every vehicle will meet those qualities. Most of them will be very poor and will not serve you according to your expectations. Fortunately, most of the Japanese mini truck that you will come across will offer you great service. This is simply because they have been well designed with performance and durability in mind. This means that you can use the Japanese mini truck for even the most extreme jobs, as long as it is within the carrying capacity, you will not be disappointed. Whether you choose a Suzuki carry, Daihatsu Hijet, Honda Acty or Mazda Scrum, there is proof that thee vehicles will deliver.
But what happens when these Japanese mini trucks have different speed transmissions? For instance if there is a 4-speed and a 5-speed Japanese mini truck, how would it fair in terms of performance? A higher torque is always the best way to know that you are getting better performance. And since the 5 speed transmission offers more torque due to increased rpm options, it is justified to say that a Japanese mini truck with 5 speed is better than 4 speed mini truck.
The Japanese Mini Trucks Transmissions
In the kei truck world, you will find both automatic and manual vehicles. You will also find some that are 4-speed and other that are on 5-speed transmission. The most common vehicles that are on sale are those that are older though. These are also the ones that are street legal in many countries like the United States and Canada. So, besides just going for the better option which could be automatic, it should be within the year allowable in your country or state. Usually, different states have their own regulations and laws concerning the vehicles that are fully street legal and those that are not.
Anytime you find a good deal on a Japanese mini truck that offers 5-speed, then you should consider it over a 4-speed. You will get better performance with that in the end. However, if you are considering other factors such as costs, then it will all come down to your budget. A 5 speed Japanese mini truck could cost more than a 4 speed with other similar features.
Final Word
Now that we have a better understanding of the Japanese mini trucks of different transmission types and speeds, you should know what to go with. We hope our quest to comparing 4 speed to 5 speed transmission helps you. 5 speed transmission will in most cases be the better option to go with. However, that doesn’t mean that a 4 speed is bad. It can work for you if you are not really in the need of spending more to get extra torque. Otherwise, it can deliver pretty much the same service.
And with regular servicing, your Japanese mini truck will always be top of the game. Wondering where to buy a Japanese mini truck? Look no further. We have been dealing with these kei trucks for many years and we can help you. Just head over to our listing page and check out the right one for you. We can even help you with the shipping process. We have served customers from across the globe from as far as United States, Canada, UK among others.