Gee, are we actually seeing eye-to-eye on something? I've got a Sport auto on my shop floor. From what my inital exterior measurements are, the Sidekick/GV t-case should bolt onto the Kia auto. The Kick and GV t-cases are the same, except the stick GV case has a shorter output shaft and can't use the Kick gears or OTT goodies. My GV has Kick 4.24 gears and fit perfect.

On top of this, the Volvo uses this tranny, except it's not electronic and could be swapped into non-auto Kias a lot easier than the electronic lock-up Zook or Kia incarnations of the AW.

If this works well, the big easy would be the OTT II. Kick t-cases are cheap, and would make a 1.81 underdrive into a Toy t-case which could run Toy axles (I know, you don't like them, but Toys are light, cheap and very strong in stock form for 33-35" tires.)

Our run straight into the Toy case,

Or into a Sammy case,

Or into double cases.

I think the jist of this is, options.

To go the other way, one could leave the drivetrain Kia, and swap bellhousings and some other parts for engine swaps. What could be had? 1.3L 16V Swift GTi motors (this is a pocket rocket screamer and can be built for over well over 200 ponies), 2.0L, 2.5L, and 2.7L Zook (remember, the Zook 2.7 set speed and time records at Pike's Peak). Also are a variety of Toy motors, and the coveted prize, Volvo diesels. With an Axis Power kit, because of the bellhousing swap, you could go for a VW turbodiesel. Wheeling diesel makes things way too easy.

Did you happen to notice I found a front ring gear that fits?