When do you switch from H to L on the 4x4 switch??

[4RunnerV8]

I understand the more closely spaced ratios - but still don't understand the technical difference between a 4 speed with overdrive (essentially, 4 speeds + 1 overdrive = 5 forward speeds to my simple mind) and a 5 speed transmission. Our 5 speeds don't have an overdrive position.

I guess what I'm asking comes to is there a mechanical difference between 5 forward gears and 4 forward gears with overdrive. or is it all semantics?

4wd V8 SE - all the options excepting navigation

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I understand the more closely spaced ratios - but still don't understand the technical difference between a 4 speed with overdrive (essentially, 4 speeds + 1 overdrive = 5 forward speeds to my simple mind) and a 5 speed transmission. Our 5 speeds don't have an overdrive position.

I guess what I'm asking comes to is there a mechanical difference between 5 forward gears and 4 forward gears with overdrive. or is it all semantics?

4wd V8 SE - all the options excepting navigation

Semantics... A 4speed is a 4speed. 4th may or may not be an overdrive ratio. If it's billed as a 4speed with overdireve it's not 5 forward gears, it's 4. A 5speed is a 5speed. There is nothing majic about the top gear having an overdrive, it's just what the engineers choose.