Okay... here's the deal... This year, I am the drivetrain leader for our mini baja team, and I have to make a gear reduction box. I was considering the np231 planetary gearset for the first stage of reduction. Even still, the 231's planetary set is kind of heavy for a baja car.

Where else can I find possibly smaller planetary reduction units??? (What tranny's, other transfer cases, etc etc) Thanks in advance for any input.

Why don't you use a planetary set out of an automatic transmission? Should be a lot smaller than a t-case planetary, especially if you get one out of a small car transmission.

Borg warner tcases for fords use planetary gears for the reduction. you should be able easily locate these models in a junk yard in b2's, rangers and fullsizes 1350,1354,1356. They're pretty small, case is aluminum and I don't think the whole tcase weighs more than 40lbs.

didn't VW buses have a plantery setup at the axles for lower gearing? I seem to remember something like this from a long time ago. Maybe it wasn't a planetary set-up though?

B & J Transmisions has what you need. I run their stuff in my race car.