The 2wd vs 4wd trans gearing is the same as the comparable unit. If you are talking about the sammy vs kick gearing, the late model sammy and kick are the same, except for 3rd gear. A major benefit for the kick trans in a sammy is the 15 pound heavier flywheel and the 1/2" larger clutch. I noticed a big difference in my sammy when I went a kick trans, loved it.