The 5-speed transaxle is a constant-mesh design. All of the forward gears are in constant mesh. This design includes the differential unit, assembled in a case with a rear cover. Blocker ring synchronizers help to shift and select the desired gear range. Shift forks control the synchronizers. Reverse gear uses a sliding idler gear arrangement.

The following are the major components of the Isuzu 5-speed transaxle:

The input and output shafts and the differential are all supported by tapered roller bearings. Selective shims are used behind the rear bearing outer races to establish the correct preload. The final output gear turns the ring gear and differential. This turns the drive axles which are attached to the front wheels.

The differential is a conventional arrangement of gears that divides the torque between the drive axles. This allows the drive axles to rotate at different speeds. A basic differential consists of a set of four gears: two side gears and two pinion gears. Each of the side gears is splined to a drive axle which must turn with the corresponding side gear. The pinion gears are mounted on a pinion shaft. The gears rotate freely on the shaft. The shaft fits into a bore in the differential case at right angles to the drive axles.

The transaxle is attached to the engine with six bolts. Five of the bolts pass through the transaxle clutch housing and into the engine bosses. The remaining bolt attaches to the rear of the engine and screws into a transaxle boss.

The 5-speed Isuzu transaxle uses two shift cable assemblies to shift the gears: the trans-selector cable and the trans-shifter cable. The shift cables are routed through the front of the cowl. An anchored grommet and retainer holds the cables in place. The inner cables are attached to the trans control levers with a ball joint assembly. An inhibitor built into the shift linkage prevents shifting between the 5th and Reverse gears.